Winterizing help

[TrikerMimi]

Alas, the days are getting shorter and soon we will have to put Sybil away for the winter. We were thinking about taking her to the local Honda dealership, but would rather save the money and do it myself. Besides Sta-bil in the gas tank, what else should we do to button up baby for the winter? Thanks in advance!

 

[ThirdWheel]

I would take the battery out and store it inside.

 

[Gorilla]

I would change all the oils and filter. Also I would fog the motor if possible.

 

[Scalp Hunter]

If you take the battery out, be sure youdon't store it on concrete. That will kill it for sure.

 

[Casper]

A lot depends on if you're storing it inside, garage, heated garage, outside, enclosed trailer, carport, open area???????

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Stabil as you said + plug in the battery tender.
If it will be in an area subject to freezing temps, I would remove the battery, place it in a "safe" area and again plug in the battery tender.
Throw a bed sheet over it.
If in an area where mice, etc, are around, set a small open box of moth balls under it.
Other than that, none of the myriad of other things mentioned, or that will be mentioned, are needed just for a few months "rest".

 

[TrikerMimi]

She will be in our garage. It isnt heated, but attatched to the house so it rarely gets below 40 degrees. So, fog the engine, stabil, remove battery and cover. Got it! Thanks everyone!

 

[kj5ix]

If your just going to take the battery out and put it on a shelf in the garage, don't bother taking it out it will still be getting the same temp variations, just leave it in the bike and plug in the tender,,,,, There is another treatment that can be found that is by some considered to be better than staybil. It is called StarTron,
Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment - LIFESTYLE CYCLE

Seafoam is also very good stuff, but the StarTron brought back a really sick expensive blower that wasn't running right with this 10% crap that is being pushed off on us...

 

[Casper]

I like Seafoam...but anything is better than nothing...

I don't really store or put mine away...Battery Tender is about all, but I use that all year anyway...even in winter, we still have days that will be above 36 degrees...Gerbings is your friend...
As long as no snow or ice on the road, I can ride above 36...

 

[Calman]

I just put on an extra pair of sox, a liner in my jacket, dig out the heavy duty fur lined gloves, throw some leather chaps over my jeans and keep on riding. If it snows (we don't get much of that white stuff in Coastal NC) I wait for it to melt and go away so I can go riding some more.

But, if you are going to park your ride for the winter then by all means do either take the battery out (don't put it directly on a concrete floor) or put it on a tender and put some FRESH fuel stablizer in the tank.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

So, fog the engine

Somebody explain to me why you would "fog" an aluminum engine

 

[Joker]

Don't forget to remove items, that might freeze and burst, from your storage compartments.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Don't forget to remove items, that might freeze and burst, from your storage compartments.

Now that is a useful suggestion! Thank you. In all my years of riding, that's the first time I have seen that idea and it's a good one:yes:
Most of the others are, IMHO, holdovers from by-gone days of long term storage and are not needed for the short-term storage time of a few winter months!
I still maintain and have always, simply adding Stabil, making sure I run the engine enough to get the stabil in the injection system. Then I hook up the battery tender, which I use all the time anyway. Throw a bed sheet over it and that's all.
I've never had any negative results from not doing all the other "stuff"!

 

[Comanche]

Not gloating, but I ride all year round. Regardless, I keep my trike plugged into a battery tender.