Winter Storage

[Reader1]

I know a lot of people do ride in the winter, but I know I won't. My trike will spend the winter in the garage. I know this is a stupid question, but does anyone cover their trike with anything - sheets or blankets - to keep the dust off.

 

[jim peacock]

Ihave a full cover that I put on it for the winter.

 

[msocko3]

I have a cover for mine also.

 

[Oldmsocko]

I also have a cover for mine.

 

[wildwest]

where can i find a fitted cover for my stallion trike ?

 

[Gorilla]

where can i find a fitted cover for my stallion trike ?

The factory had a contact for one. It was around $250 but fit like a glove.

 

[bfknova]

I live in Nova Scotia so it's a long winter - I have a proper fitted cover, and store my trike in a shed for the winter .... n' do all the winterizing (wash n' wax, fill tank with gas, n' seafoam, empty carbs, change oil, grease fittings, but do have one question "Should I lift the tires and put on jacks" ??? Thanks, Bryan .... (2001 Valk /Motor Trike) ...

 

[TNTriker]

I live in Nova Scotia so it's a long winter - I have a proper fitted cover, and store my trike in a shed for the winter .... n' do all the winterizing (wash n' wax, fill tank with gas, n' seafoam, empty carbs, change oil, grease fittings, but do have one question "Should I lift the tires and put on jacks" ??? Thanks, Bryan .... (2001 Valk /Motor Trike) ...

Bryan, we don't store ours for the winter, but it does get less use during that time. Ron puts his Road King on a lift when not riding and also uses a battery tender. On my TG I only use the battery tender. We usually just dust it off with a Calif. Duster, to keep the dust bunnies off. We do get to ride some, so they get washed and waxed during this time also. We have a detached 30'X40' shop at our house, we call it the toy box!

 

[Chumbly]

I "used" to cover mine, stored in an unheated shed. One winter the temps were up and down all season. Come spring, I checked on my baby to get 'er ready for riding. My wheels were all corroded (yes, they were aluminum), and as a result ended up pitted. Now, I leave mine uncovered unless I'm doing really dusty work in the garage... and now I live in warmer climate, ...but just sayin'- it's alot easier to give it a wash job in the spring than try to re-polish the rims.

 

[kwputt]

Our GW is kept in a heated shop,(40degrees minnimum) year round but I still use a cover in the winter & keep a battery tender on it. If the concrete that you are parking on has had any chlorine introduced, either in production or from road salts, this can cause some ugly results on your chrome & aluminum. Simple solution is to park it on a thin sheet of foam insulation board or heavy mill plastic. And it wasn't a stupid question, enjoy your ride.

 

[The Wolf]

My trike goes into a carcoon bubble which regulates the clean air being filtered into the bubble. It runs on two computer fans and electric. You can also attach your battery tender so everything is nice and clean and no dampness.

 

[GARYD]

In the years I was young and didn't ride in the winter, this is what I did.
1. Throw a bed sheet over bike
2. Stabil in full tank of gas
3. Battery Tender
4. Put tarp on floor then jacked bike off the floor
5. Tied clutch lever to grip
6. Sprayed a little oil in cyl's
7. Cleaned and waxed before storing
8. Put baggies over in exhaust tips
9. Go in house and stare at calendar - waiting for spring.

Now that I'm old and crazy, I ride all winter(Chicago area), but I still do the following....not much difference. :Shrug:
1. Battery Tender
2. Spray entire frame and wheels with S100 Corrosion Protectant (hate corroded wheels).
3. Keep tank as full as pssible between rides
4. Still park bike on tarp
5. Switch from 87 octane to 91 octane and change to 10/40 Amsoil syn oil instead of 20/50
6. Keep tires at correct PSI
7. Test electric gloves and jacket liner - then go for a ride.

The MUST THING TO DO is coat the metal parts with some kind of protectant.
I've never had bare aluminum wheels before so I bought a can of ArmorAll Wheel Protectant to see if it is any better then the S100 Protectant.

Everyone does things differently so do what you are comfortable with.

 

[rmrc51]

Bryan, we don't store ours for the winter, but it does get less use during that time. Ron puts his Road King on a lift when not riding and also uses a battery tender. On my TG I only use the battery tender. We usually just dust it off with a Calif. Duster, to keep the dust bunnies off. We do get to ride some, so they get washed and waxed during this time also.

+1

I basically have the same routine. ThumbUp

 

[Meastro319]

Hey GARYD, this your West Chicago neighbor. I have a question for you. Why do you tie the clutch lever to the handle? Does that keep the fluid in the line or something? I might have to that this year as I have had some clutch problems this summer.

 

[bfknova]

Even ol' bikers learn something eh!!! (HE HE) ..... Thanks for the tips - as I have covered the concrete in the shed with pavement sealer (2 coats) - yet will also add a heavy gauge tarp over it ..... n' will lift the trike on supports .... n' will tie the clutch lever (new one for me) .... n' before storing will run the carbs dry - as maybe a habit from my 2 wheels but even with supreme octane gas n' stabilizer - still don't want to have gunk build up in the carbs ....

Happy Winterizing ....
Bryan

 

[GARYD]

Some old mechanic told me years ago that that keeps the something from sticking together. Don't really know, but what can it hurt. It was one of the reason a guy bought my old 89 Low rider when he saw that he said I knew what I was doing.....of course I didn't.

 

[DJS]

if its on concrete,best buy a rubber backed rug,:Trike1: