DOHC1
Well-known member
Every year theres threads with people asking what to do in order to winterize your bike, so I've compiled a checklist of what I've normally done, to make things easier for people doing it for the first time. If you guys have anything you wish to add, post below and I will add it in.
Above all, remember that your bike is fairly durable, and it takes a lot of stupidity to screw a bike up over 3-4 months of storage; In the past, I've left bikes with just a battery tender, and they've started right up in the spring. Follow these steps if you want to be thorough, and you will be fine.
The points in bold should be considered the most important.
DO:
1. Top up the gas tank (preferably shell 91, as it has no ethanol)
2. Add fuel stabilizer from Canadian Tire
3. Run the bike for a few mins to get the fuel stabilizer through the system. (Note: If you have a carbureted bike, you may want to drain the float bowls)
4. Change the oil + filter. No, you don’t need to change the oil again in the spring unless you are paranoid and rich. The new oil will just sit in the oil pan over the winter. People won't think twice about letting a jug of oil sit for a year on the shelf, but seem to get paranoid about it getting "old" once it has been poured into the bike. It will simply sit in the oil pan until it is used next spring.
5. Wash + wax
6. Clean and lube the chain
7. Put the battery on a Battery Tender. You can pick one up at Canadian tire.
8. Optional: put bike on stands to keep tires off the ground. Tires on the ground wont do any damage either, perhaps move it a few feet every few weeks if you are concerned
9. Cover the exhaust hole with a sock to keep critters out
10. Top up the air in the tires
11. Throw a motorcycle cover or a sheet on top
DON’T:
1. Start the bike during the winter to “warm it up”. Unless you reach full operational temperature, moisture will develop. Just leave it alone.
Above all, remember that your bike is fairly durable, and it takes a lot of stupidity to screw a bike up over 3-4 months of storage; In the past, I've left bikes with just a battery tender, and they've started right up in the spring. Follow these steps if you want to be thorough, and you will be fine.
The points in bold should be considered the most important.
DO:
1. Top up the gas tank (preferably shell 91, as it has no ethanol)
2. Add fuel stabilizer from Canadian Tire
3. Run the bike for a few mins to get the fuel stabilizer through the system. (Note: If you have a carbureted bike, you may want to drain the float bowls)
4. Change the oil + filter. No, you don’t need to change the oil again in the spring unless you are paranoid and rich. The new oil will just sit in the oil pan over the winter. People won't think twice about letting a jug of oil sit for a year on the shelf, but seem to get paranoid about it getting "old" once it has been poured into the bike. It will simply sit in the oil pan until it is used next spring.
5. Wash + wax
6. Clean and lube the chain
7. Put the battery on a Battery Tender. You can pick one up at Canadian tire.
8. Optional: put bike on stands to keep tires off the ground. Tires on the ground wont do any damage either, perhaps move it a few feet every few weeks if you are concerned
9. Cover the exhaust hole with a sock to keep critters out
10. Top up the air in the tires
11. Throw a motorcycle cover or a sheet on top
DON’T:
1. Start the bike during the winter to “warm it up”. Unless you reach full operational temperature, moisture will develop. Just leave it alone.
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