Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Winter Storage (getting depressed thinking about)

Ok all you northern Triumph owners, what are some do's and don’ts you have discovered when storing your bike for the winter. One discrepancy I have already encountered. Dealer told me change oil for storage if it has more than 2,000 miles on it. Manuel states to change oil in spring?? Haynes: don’t place bike in dust or weather cover condensation will build up. Cover with blankets??
Come on you guys and gals have done this for many winters. I’m a winter storage newbie. I hope it will not be until mid Nov??? Getting depressed just thinking about it. I’ll go into the discussion (really argument) with wife garage vs shed storage later. She does not want scrape snow off her car b4 driving to work????? Got to be a gender thing????

Winter!! blasphemy!! There's still a day of "summer" left. I don't do much except pull the battery or plug in the battery tender, but that's violating about 12 rules of winter storage. Running some gas stabilizer through the carbs is probably a good idea. Moving to Arizona is probably a better idea. The owner's manual lists some stuff towards the rear. I'm fortunate as the bike sits in an enclosed garage.

JH

I know you guys get more snow than we do in Philly, but I don't winterize the bike. Whenever there is dry day above 45 or so (happens a lot more than you think) I take a spin. There was a new year's day a couple of years ago that the temps were in the 60's. Get good gear (electrics help a lot) and watch out for the salt residue on the road because it's just like marbles. No winterizing necessary, keeps the battery charged (I still hook up a tender) and keeps you from going stir crazy. I lived in Acton, MA in another life and do remember that winter came early and stayed late so this may not be an option for you. Philly really doesn't get a ton of snow unless we get hit w/ a 'Noreaster.

I haven't done anything to my bike in 4 winters beside put seafoam in the tank (and I don't think I've done that every year). Last winter I rode once or twice every month. That said, my battery was really weak last Spring, had to jump start it. So either I'll buy a battery tender for this winter or plan on replacing my battery next year.