What exactly needs to be done for winter storage?

油井緋色

油井緋色

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I have a GS500F and I was told by multiple mechanics that only the following needs to be done:

Drain carbs
Pop on center stand
Charge battery tender or bi weekly
Switch front wheel position once a week

Tada.

I've also been told by many people, my father included and he used to ride back in Taiwan years back and mod carb cars, that the whole fuel stabilizer thing is bull and useless.

Does anyone here have hard facts and reasons for doing things they do for storing bikes? I know why the engine oil should be drained and changed if it's old and gunky, but I don't understand the fuel stabilizer thing.
 
1) You don't have to drain the carbs if you put in fuel stabilizer and run the fuel with it mixed in through the fuel system.

2) Correct

3) Either on a tender or once a month

4) Good idea, but once every 2-4 weeks is smarter

I would also clean/lube the chain, lube all of the cables and linkages and shove rags up the tailpipe and into the intakes so rodents don't decide to make a home in there. Cover with a cotton sheet or any breathable fabric to keep the dust off. When winterizing, I also like to adjust the chain tension if necessary, so I only have to do a bare minimum when the riding season comes. You may also wanna service the air filter (blow out the dust if paper and in good shape, replace if it's in bad shape or clean an reoil if it's a K&N) just so you don't have to do it in the spring.
 
As far as I know, fuel stabilizer prevents the combustible part of gasoline from separating from the rest of the chemical mix therefore insuring your bike can start in the spring time. Gasoline is good for appx 3 months (again, as far as I know) so the stabilizer will keep it good for 6 months and possibly longer.

edit:
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outboard/apparel/apscitemdetail/3/145/all/1/10006/detail.aspx

I'm not advocating this brand of stabilizer, I'm just linking it so you can read the little paragraph about it.

Canadian tire sells a stabilizer which is cheap and does the job

Also, you don't need to change the wheel position if the bike is on the center stand and both wheels are off the ground.
 
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With some bikes, some of the weight still rests on the front wheel, so it's necessary to turn it every once in a while. 85 FJ-600 is a good example. Not sure about the GS.
 
There should be a "sticky" for this topic as we discuss and argue about the same stuff every season.

Oops................, just saw it under the "Technical" section.
 
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change fluids, add fuel stabilizer, deflate tires to half recommended psi and don't park on concrete. have a cardboard or something in between tire and ground. wax entire bike, especilly rims and exposed metal parts. ideally, you want to store in a place that has constant temp and humidity. I won't worry too much though. it's darn near impossible to harm a bike that simply was parked over the winter unless you keep messing with it.
 
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Nothing needs to be done for winter storage, just park the bike in garage and cover it with anything to keep the dust off. I have never "winterized" my bikes and never had any problems come riding season.
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