10 Tips On Motorcycle Winter Maintenance
Winter can be a long season – it seems to arrive so quickly and last too long for some of us. Taking a few minutes each month to make sure that our bikes are being properly stored and maintained, will save time and money in the spring and get us on the road safely that much quicker.
In all cases, check your owner's manual for the manufacturer's recommendations for proper winter storage. If you don't have one, get one – they're invaluable. You'll be amazed at what you can do yourself.
Most of these steps should already be done. However, if winter snuck up on you, like it did for me (waiting for one last ride), you may still need to tend to some of these details. It's not too late.
- Read your owner's manual.
- Clean your motorcycle. Bugs can be corrosive. Wash it well, wax it.
- Lubricate bolts, cables – any parts that are prone to rust. Clean your chain (if you have one) well and make sure it's well lubricated
- If your bike has a centre stand, use it. If it doesn't, you may want to consider using a lift or even carefully propping up the bike using blocks. This takes the pressure off the suspension and tires.
- Elevate both tires off the ground to prevent flat spots. If you're unable to do this, the next best thing is to move your bike around every couple of weeks so they're not sitting on the same spot for extended periods. Inflate your tires to the maximum recommended pressure to maintain their shape – tires tend to loose air pressure when it's cold.
- Keep your battery charged. Caring for it will save needless grief in the spring. Clean your battery leads and attach a battery tender to keep it fully charged. Another option is to remove the battery and place it on a charger.
- Block air intake and exhaust pipes with plastic bags, steel wool, duct tape – anything to keep the critters out. I know this from personal experience when this spring I discovered my air filter was full of sunflower seeds.
- Fill your gas tank completely full to prevent condensation and add a manufacturer recommended fuel stabilizer. If your bike is carbureted, your owners manual will likely advise you to drain the carbs – you can do this by running the engine with the fuel tap in the “off” position until you effectively run out of gas.
- Change your engine oil. Used oil has contaminants in it that can damage your engine if left for extended periods.
- Cover it to protect from dust and watch to make sure that there is no condensation.