Service before winter or after winter? | Page 2 | GTAMotorcycle.com

Service before winter or after winter?

TwistedKestrel said:
Really, your manual says that? What kind of bike do you have? Generally two oil changes is overkill, you only need to change it once before you put it away.
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TwistedKestrel said:
Thanks for the pictures, I wouldn't have believed it otherwise lol! I still say changing it twice is overkill. Do the oil and filter when you put it away.
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Aslan said:
I agree that it sounds like a waste.

I bet it just says that because it recommends overfilling and draining back to the correct amount would be a mess. If you go that route you don't run it after filling so there is little if any point to changing the filter before storage. Sounds like a longer term storage setup than we require.
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The reason most manufactures do recommend this is that typically the bike is not stored in a climate controlled situation. Although very small condensation can build up in the engine which is why they recommend changing it again after. Another huge mistake when storing a vehicle is to start it every once and a while. This causes even more condensation to build up since they only wya to get a vehicle to fully operating temp is to actually drive it.
 
I'll just do this before I store it:
*Change oil and filter
*Fuel to the top add stabilizer let it run for 2 mins
*leave it on stands with 36psi as per manual
*Take battery out and charge once a month inside my house
*clean and lube the chain
*grease all the pivoting parts
*wash and wax
*cover with old bed sheets
*I won't start the engine but I'll turn it on for my hids(guy I bought them from told me to turn them on at least once a month so they don't loose their colour).

If I missing anything else or I'm doing something wrong let me know. I know the manual says drop a table spoon of oil in each one of the spark plug hole but i hear from others it is not necessary

When spring time comes do I just throw the battery in and jump on? Or is there a check list for that too?


Thanks
 
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Round our way if you pay for storage you sometimes get a discount on any service you get done while it's in storage too. Might only be 10% but it all counts.
 
I just stored the bike for good this time. Got an optimate 3 I'm just going to leave plugged in. Start her up march when the snow stops.
 
want to ask: it seems like a lot of people dont recommend running the bike during storage, why is that? I park my bike in condo underground parking and it does get close to 0C sometimes, like what would happen if i run it say once bi-weekly?
 
elton_t said:
want to ask: it seems like a lot of people don't recommend running the bike during storage, why is that? I park my bike in condo underground parking and it does get close to 0C sometimes, like what would happen if i run it say once bi-weekly?
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They say not to start it during storage bc unless you're going to run it for awhile, you will create more condensation in the motor than just leaving it. They also recommend filling the tank and always using SHELL 91 v-power bc it contains no ethanol and wont attract as much moisture. They say Ethanol attracts/makes more water in the fuel.
 
I see. Thanks.

Isn't it better if I just let it run out of gas and fill it back up in march so i am not paying for the stabilizer?

Also if you say condensation, but wouldn't it evaporate when the temperature goes back up in march? So that means I dont have to worry? i am thinking to do it cuz then i dont have to buy a battery tender lol.
 
just a side question related to winter storage, when you do a coolant fluid change can you put water in there after you drain all the old coolant to run it through the system to get the gunk out? would it be harmful?
 
elton_t said:
I see. Thanks.

Isn't it better if I just let it run out of gas and fill it back up in march so i am not paying for the stabilizer?

Also if you say condensation, but wouldn't it evaporate when the temperature goes back up in march? So that means I dont have to worry? i am thinking to do it cuz then i dont have to buy a battery tender lol.
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I wouldn't start it till you're ready to ride it in the spring. You can find a cheap tender at royal distributing. definately fill the tank and stabalize. if you have air = chance of condensation = rust & oxidization. with full tank no chance of air creating this equation.
 
Dealership for both. Just get oem fluids, unless your racing they work just fine.
 
Reason not to start the motor until spring: When the motor is cold the pistons are a looser fit in the bores and will allow more blow-by than when fully warmed up.This blow-by, especially in the winter when the choke or enrichment system is on longer, contains condensation and acids as a by product of combustion. It can be seen readily in cooler temps from the exhaust. It can also sit in lower parts of the exhaust system and cause rust. It is not a good idea to let this happen. Fresh oil contains antioxidants and resists rusting internally but these can get used up with too much condensation. The rings don't seal as well at idle too as they are under less pressure than when the bike is actually moving so no matter how long you warm the bike up and rev it, it will not be as good as servicing it and leaving it to hibernate.
P.S. filling the tank and adding stabiliser will reduce the chance of condensation forming in the tank and rusting steel tanks.
 
Tripletrouble said:
Reason not to start the motor until spring: When the motor is cold the pistons are a looser fit in the bores and will allow more blow-by than when fully warmed up.This blow-by, especially in the winter when the choke or enrichment system is on longer, contains condensation and acids as a by product of combustion. It can be seen readily in cooler temps from the exhaust. It can also sit in lower parts of the exhaust system and cause rust. It is not a good idea to let this happen. Fresh oil contains antioxidants and resists rusting internally but these can get used up with too much condensation. The rings don't seal as well at idle too as they are under less pressure than when the bike is actually moving so no matter how long you warm the bike up and rev it, it will not be as good as servicing it and leaving it to hibernate.
P.S. filling the tank and adding stabiliser will reduce the chance of condensation forming in the tank and rusting steel tanks.
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great! thanks!
 
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