WINTER preparation

[Dickl]

I'm a newbie.

I tried search but did not find anything

What do you do for winter preparartion. I don't want the ethanol gummed up carb problem.

Dickl

[Brewer]

Occasionally use your favorite fuel treatment (year round for me)
Ride anytime the temperature and traction allow

[Beardo]

I searched that when I bought mine last year, there's lots of opinions on it.

I went with what the previous owner did with no issues and what some here suggest. The carbs have never had to be cleaned yet and we have about 5 month winters here. Fill up the tank with non-ethanol gas, put in stabilizer or Seafoam, run it into the carbs. That's it.

And I do the full drivetrain service too. And of course a fresh oil change.

[Hook#3287]

Depends on the winter we have, last year, nice, year before, not so much.

I've done a number of winter prep stuff, none of which seems to make a difference.

Fill the tank with non ethy if you can, add Stabul MARINE, pull the battery and wait for warm weather.

[Dickl]

I also have a 1970 CB750. I fill it with Avgas low lead 96 octane and run it until it's in the system. ANY COMMENTS ON THIS?

DICKL

[gordonv]

Brother in law recommended Avgas for cleaning the carbs out, after storage. Don't know how good it is storage.

My bike is laid up for about 5 months long. I buy what ever gas I normally use, and add 1/2 a can of Seafoam. Short coffee ride to get it into the carbs, and park the bike. Disconnect the battery, and keep it charged in the house.

I used to use Huskey gas, all has ethanol in it. Never had a problem. But I'm above the 49th Parallel, so don't know if it is different up here. Now I use Chevron for the Techron, just to prevent any problems, and keep the carbs clean. Why pay extra for additional cleaner.

Spring time. Start the bike up. Drive the bike till the gas is gone, and half a tank of fresh gas and the other 1/2 can of Seafoam. Run that through. No noticeable problems, then nothing special. Any stuttering, then I go to Berryman B-12, 1/2 can in 1/2 a tank.

Usual spring oil change and maintenance as soon as I can.

[..]

Change the oil
Check tire pressures
Check brake pads
Take heated jacket and gloves out of closet

Go ride.   

I know. I know. Asshat.

[Oss]

+1 on the air pressure, it goes down with temp
but I lower the air pressure when its around freezing anyway to 38 front 40 rear riding solo (wife wont ride below 60)

tires handle better after a few miles of riding at low temps

if  no ice or snow on road I am taking a ride on either the Valk or the 04 1150rt p, maybe not a long ride but will ride nonetheless

[JimC]

Like many others,

I fill the tank as far as it will let me after dumping about half a can of Seafoam into it.
(Filling the tank keeps the inside from rusting if it is stored in a humid area)

I ride far enough to make sure the heavy concentration of Seafoam is in the carbs, get to the parking place and and turn off the fuel line while bike is running, letting the bowls of the carbs run down, when it starts spitting and sputtering, I shut it down.

I normally don't even take the battery out, I charge it before trying to start in the spring.

Jim

[davit]

Change the oil, spray the bike with ACF-50, mix Stabil Marine with every tank and ride the hell out of it.





Both are available from Amazon.

[Itinifni]

I've followed the same procedure for 30 years, motorcycles, boats, lawn mowers, snow blowers, any thing with an engine.

Fill the tank and add stabilizer (I don't have non-ethanol fuel available but would use it if I did).

Thorough cleaning, anywhere I can get my hands or a brush in I clean. Wax the shiny parts, for a quick cheat use lemon Pledge.

Start and warm up to operating temp, change the oil and filter.

Start and run again to circulate the fresh oil, close off the fuel and let it stall. Drain the carb(s) if possible.

Pull the plug(s) and add a couple of squirts of engine oil into the cylinder(s), crank engine for a few moments. Reinstall plugs.

Pull the battery and charge, top it up about once a month.

Set the tire pressure about 10-15 PSI above the max inflation listed on the sidewall.

I've always set my bikes on the center stand and blocked up the front frame to unload the suspension. With no center stand on the Valk and a couple of bikes to put up I'll probably look into a couple of dollies so I can move them around. I don't think my wife wants to give up her side of the garage.

[Hooter]

If the bike is new to you ck the antifreeze with a hydrometer.  Fill with the best gas you can get and dump up to half can of Seafoam. Let run till up to temp or ride if you can. I never take the battery out, just use a tender. To each his own, but a tender with a float system battery in or out is good. I start my bike on the jack all winter so the battery stays in.

Some guys even go as far as spraying chrome with WD-40. Make sure bike is clean, specially the wind shield. Good if you can get it off the floor to. Everybody does it different but I feel the carbs are the biggest concern. My 2 cents.

[$ Ball]

Load it up and head to Arizona!   

[The emperor has no clothes]

Load it up and head to Arizona!   

Are you coming down to Parker again ?

[Itinifni]

Load it up and head to Arizona!   

Best winter prep I've heard!

[Alberta Patriot]

I'm a newbie.

I tried search but did not find anything

What do you do for winter preparartion. I don't want the ethanol gummed up carb problem.

Dickl

Search on line at   "pure-gas.org"   for a list of gas stations in your area that carry pure gasoline.
Run most of the ethanol laced crap out and refill with pure gasoline and stabilizer.
...Don't forget the Battery Maintainer!!
I usually start using the pure stuff for the last few tanks of the riding season.
Here in Alberta premium grade contains no ethanol so finding it is no problem.
I agree with Hooter...start the bike and warm it up once a week if you can.
Keep a gallon of the good stuff on hand to keep it topped up.

[Bighead]

Just keep riding it 

[bill v e]

had 3 bikes (75 Goldwing/ 84 Goldwing and 2000 interstate Valkyrie) for a few winters and at least one for 6 or more winters in north central Minnesota from 2000 to 2007.  whenever the roads and weather permitted, I would make sure each one got at least a half hour ride.  never had to go more than three weeks and never had a problem.  granted, I did have all three in a garage, but that worked great for me.  now that i'm here in fort smith Arkansas, I ride the valk and 03 bmw r1150rt all year long.  the best option may be to move anywhere south of interstate 40 

[Steve K (IA)]

I use ethanol 99.9% of the time in both Valks...16 years.  Half a can of Seafoam halfway through the summer and a half can at storage. I take the Seafoam to the gas station and pour it in before topping the tank off. I ride them about 5 miles, enough to get the mixture in the carbs and park, turn gas off and put the cover on.  Carbs have never been off, and both bikes run strong and smooth.
Storage here can be 5 months.

[Alberta Patriot]

Ethanol is Hydroscopic... It likes to absorb water and when it does it separates out of the gasoline and sinks to the bottom of the tank.
Adding to the problem... All gasoline contains a small amount of sulfur...mixed with water you get sulfuric acid...
The longer it sits in your fuel system the more water it absorbs from the surrounding air...if your winter is like mine which ranges widely day to night the air in your tank expands and contracts pushing air out when warm...drawing in new(moist) air when cooled off...you can guess where I am going with this.
Why risk it...I'm okay with ethanol laced fuel when I know I'll be using it up in a few days...once fall arrives I start using pure gasoline and stabilizer...the reality here in Alberta come October...you never know when your last ride will be for about 4 to 5 months.
pure-gas.org