The biker, like a bear, goes into hibernation
in the winter. The season can be long, wet, and cold and is not the most
exciting time for the freedom loving adventurist. Despite the disdain,
the season is inevitable, and there are steps that every good owner needs to
take to prepare for to make sure that when the weather turns, so will the
wheels of the motorcycle. Although winter is almost over, you still need to
take care of these tasks if you have not already.
in the winter. The season can be long, wet, and cold and is not the most
exciting time for the freedom loving adventurist. Despite the disdain,
the season is inevitable, and there are steps that every good owner needs to
take to prepare for to make sure that when the weather turns, so will the
wheels of the motorcycle. Although winter is almost over, you still need to
take care of these tasks if you have not already.
Engine Preparations
There is no doubt that the most expensive part
of the bike is the engine. With a thousand different styles of bikes,
there are a few golden rules that apply to all of them. There are at
least two if not three systems that you need to be concerned with: fuel
delivery, coolant, and oil.
of the bike is the engine. With a thousand different styles of bikes,
there are a few golden rules that apply to all of them. There are at
least two if not three systems that you need to be concerned with: fuel
delivery, coolant, and oil.
The fuel in your bike is a refined product
made from crude oil. As it sits, it goes stale and loses its energetic
properties, becoming more difficult to ignite. Stale gas will make your
bike difficult to start, harden your filter, and cause your bike to run
poorly. The simple remedy for this is to add a fuel additive and let your
bike run long enough for the additive to work completely through the system
into the engine compartment. Stale gas can damage o-rings and harden your
fuel lines. Additives will lubricate the rubber and help maintain the
properties of the fuel to help you get a fresh start when springtime rolls
around.
made from crude oil. As it sits, it goes stale and loses its energetic
properties, becoming more difficult to ignite. Stale gas will make your
bike difficult to start, harden your filter, and cause your bike to run
poorly. The simple remedy for this is to add a fuel additive and let your
bike run long enough for the additive to work completely through the system
into the engine compartment. Stale gas can damage o-rings and harden your
fuel lines. Additives will lubricate the rubber and help maintain the
properties of the fuel to help you get a fresh start when springtime rolls
around.
Not every bike has an anti-freeze coolant
system so this may not apply to you. The anti-freeze market has
specialized and now offers different products for different applications.
Some motorcycles have hoses and o-rings that are synthetic rubber and require
specific anti-freeze. In the winter, you are going to want to measure the
ratio of anti-freeze in your system and make sure it is properly
conditioned. Bad pH levels can cause corrosion and break down the
interior rubber components that can then circulate throughout the entire system
when you start up in the new year. It is recommended to replace the
entire coolant system for winter storage to remove debris and corrosive
materials for the long winter.
system so this may not apply to you. The anti-freeze market has
specialized and now offers different products for different applications.
Some motorcycles have hoses and o-rings that are synthetic rubber and require
specific anti-freeze. In the winter, you are going to want to measure the
ratio of anti-freeze in your system and make sure it is properly
conditioned. Bad pH levels can cause corrosion and break down the
interior rubber components that can then circulate throughout the entire system
when you start up in the new year. It is recommended to replace the
entire coolant system for winter storage to remove debris and corrosive
materials for the long winter.
Everyone has an engine compartment with
oil. Change your oil in preparation for winter. Personally, I
recommend a synthetic oil despite its more expensive costs. Synthetic oil
is proven to preserve engine life and does not break down as quickly with the
engine heat. In the winter, you want fresh oil in the system to prevent
the debris from settling in the cavities of your engine and hardening in
inconvenient places during the winter. If you have never taken the time
to research it, spend the winter looking up the differences between synthetic
oil and regular oil and watch the demonstrations. Synthetic oil, when regularly
changed, looks as new coming out of the system as it does going in. Truly
remarkable actually.
oil. Change your oil in preparation for winter. Personally, I
recommend a synthetic oil despite its more expensive costs. Synthetic oil
is proven to preserve engine life and does not break down as quickly with the
engine heat. In the winter, you want fresh oil in the system to prevent
the debris from settling in the cavities of your engine and hardening in
inconvenient places during the winter. If you have never taken the time
to research it, spend the winter looking up the differences between synthetic
oil and regular oil and watch the demonstrations. Synthetic oil, when regularly
changed, looks as new coming out of the system as it does going in. Truly
remarkable actually.
Electrical System
Fact number one, batteries go bad if they sit
without use. Fact number two, electrical components corrode. Your
bike is going to need ongoing attention over the winter in one of two
ways. You can leave your battery in your bike with a trickle charger
attached or take the battery out and leave it on the charger somewhere in your
garage. If you do take it out, make sure not to set it on your concrete
floor or anything metal. Insulate the battery with cardboard or something
that does not conduct electricity. Concrete interacts with the battery
and causes damage, just like metal. Regardless of your decision to pull
the battery or leave it in the bike, you should disconnect the negative
terminal to prevent any kind of short and causing a fire. Caution:
if your bike has a computer module, contact your dealer before removing the
negative terminal for any length of time as it may reset your device. After
you have removed the battery, purchase some electrical lithium grease and lube
all of your terminals that you can visually determine if any are exposed to
prevent corrosion.
without use. Fact number two, electrical components corrode. Your
bike is going to need ongoing attention over the winter in one of two
ways. You can leave your battery in your bike with a trickle charger
attached or take the battery out and leave it on the charger somewhere in your
garage. If you do take it out, make sure not to set it on your concrete
floor or anything metal. Insulate the battery with cardboard or something
that does not conduct electricity. Concrete interacts with the battery
and causes damage, just like metal. Regardless of your decision to pull
the battery or leave it in the bike, you should disconnect the negative
terminal to prevent any kind of short and causing a fire. Caution:
if your bike has a computer module, contact your dealer before removing the
negative terminal for any length of time as it may reset your device. After
you have removed the battery, purchase some electrical lithium grease and lube
all of your terminals that you can visually determine if any are exposed to
prevent corrosion.
All the Small Things
There are several things that are recommended,
but not necessarily required. Go through your bike and try to clean it
out as best you can removing any debris you find. Check the air in the
tires and make sure there are no issues that may lead to a flat. One of
the concerns with winter storage is losing air pressure and the bike falling
over. Try to put the bike in a place that it will not be at risk of being
pushed over on other items or people who do not know anything about a
bike. If you have the option of covering your bike and storing it independently
from anyone else having access, all the better.
but not necessarily required. Go through your bike and try to clean it
out as best you can removing any debris you find. Check the air in the
tires and make sure there are no issues that may lead to a flat. One of
the concerns with winter storage is losing air pressure and the bike falling
over. Try to put the bike in a place that it will not be at risk of being
pushed over on other items or people who do not know anything about a
bike. If you have the option of covering your bike and storing it independently
from anyone else having access, all the better.
Winter does not have to be wasted wishing the sun would come
out. It is an excellent time to work on the bike and add those little
modifications that make it your own. Linear Automotive has quality certified technicians that restore
motorcycles, old and new. Use the winter to get your bike ready for
spring. You can welcome in the New Year with an old bike and start a new
adventure. After all, it is all about the ride, don’t let the time pass
you by only to realize you need to make modifications after the riding season
has begun!
out. It is an excellent time to work on the bike and add those little
modifications that make it your own. Linear Automotive has quality certified technicians that restore
motorcycles, old and new. Use the winter to get your bike ready for
spring. You can welcome in the New Year with an old bike and start a new
adventure. After all, it is all about the ride, don’t let the time pass
you by only to realize you need to make modifications after the riding season
has begun!
About the author:
The author, Ray Donato, is
an auto repair enthusiast who ensures that his vehicle is always in perfect
running order. He understands that in the cold winter months now turning to
spring it is necessary to ensure your vehicle is ready for winter. If you wish
to learn more about Ray you can visit on Google+
an auto repair enthusiast who ensures that his vehicle is always in perfect
running order. He understands that in the cold winter months now turning to
spring it is necessary to ensure your vehicle is ready for winter. If you wish
to learn more about Ray you can visit on Google+
