Winter Shrinkage

[SloRider]

99 Interstate 60'000 miles (recently supervalked) that I store in unheated garage here in the permafrost of Michigan. The last 2 winters I have noticed that I have some "seepage" from a few gaskets. I have no leaks or seeps during warmer months except a tiny one at the left cylinder cover. Anyone else from the Great North experience this and are there any "simple" fixes? Thanks in advance!

[R J]

Yeah, it is a screw driver and a ratchet, with a long extensio and a swivel socket on the end.

It probaly wouldn't hurt if ya went over all the bolts on the engine block that are in sight.

Now, not too damn tight, just snug em up a tad.   I don't want to hear well RJ told me to tighten them and I snapped one off.

[Bone]

I'm in the same state with a unheated garage. I pull the battery store it in the basement of my house.
It's to cold this winter to touch the bike. Once you warm up the engine most of those spots will be gone.
Warmer weather on the way.

[Ricky-D]

I would suggest to not mess with it!

Having been undisturbed for such a long period of time, the chances you will

be able to correct the problem is slight, and on the other hand, the chances

you may cause some unintended consequences is high.

Unless and until there is an actual leak, just keep cleaning the bike.

***

[Jess from VA]

One thing I do, when riding much less in winter (but still riding on occasion) is to center up my bikes by shimming the kickstands.  Yes, if you get a flat, they can fall over, but in my shed, everything is inches away from support, and nothing can fall over.

I would not keep my bike on a jack, because the forks may start leaking.

[98pacecar]

Sorry but "Winter Shrinkage" just made me laugh

Ditto,,,,,,,,,,  reminded me of George, on dat old Seinfeld,,, episode...   

[Hoser]

If you hunt deer all day on a cold day, and have to relieve your self in the field, you will experience
winter shrinkage when you try to fish willy out of your layered coveralls!     Hoser   

[R J]

If you hunt deer all day on a cold day, and have to relieve your self in the field, you will experience
winter shrinkage when you try to fish willy out of your layered coveralls!     Hoser   

Hoser, ya'll got to be able to find him 1st, then you can try to stretch him out of your coveralls.   

[Michvalk]

I have a problem with winter shrinkage, but, fortunately I have no leakage issues

[Mn. Norseman]

You've got winter shrinkage when it looks like a button on a fur coat

[The emperor has no clothes]

Sorry but "Winter Shrinkage" just made me laugh

Ditto,,,,,,,,,,  reminded me of George, on dat old Seinfeld,,, episode...   

ditto

[saddlesore]

Every spring I notice a little bit of anti freeze on the ground beneath the water pump.  Never did anything about it,  only shows up in spring.  Don't do anything drastic yet. just keep an eye on it.

[heavyd]

I stopped by my storage unit last week and noticed a little spot of oil on the floor right in front of the kickstand. I haven't had a chance to check on it yet but I am hoping it is something similar. It is unheated storage and we got down to -40C here in December with -25C being more average. Way out on the east coast of Canada.

[Patrick]

The cold makes certain things on me shrink too. But, you never mentioned what has shrunk and started leaking. The type of fluid would help.
Just in case, a common problem is a slightly loose upper radiator hose clamp. A small ratchet with extension will get in there and usually fix the problem.

[saddlesore]

I stopped by my storage unit last week and noticed a little spot of oil on the floor right in front of the kickstand. I haven't had a chance to check on it yet but I am hoping it is something similar. It is unheated storage and we got down to -40C here in December with -25C being more average. Way out on the east coast of Canada.

If it's oil near the kick stand you might want to check on the seal for the shifter mechanism.

[R J]

I stopped by my storage unit last week and noticed a little spot of oil on the floor right in front of the kickstand. I haven't had a chance to check on it yet but I am hoping it is something similar. It is unheated storage and we got down to -40C here in December with -25C being more average. Way out on the east coast of Canada.

It is probably the seal on the shifter.

No big deal to change it out.

When ya bring it out of strorage, ya might ride it for a couple hundred milles and see if it stops, if it don't stop, then change it.

>>>>>>>>>>>>

I guess I should have read all the posts before opening my pie hole here.   Sorry about the double post on the shifter seal right above me.

[Hoser]

Sorry but "Winter Shrinkage" just made me laugh

It is not unusual if you don't wear your leathers when it's real cold outside.    :DHoser