Winter Storage
By: Ric Case
Senior Road Captain
Things to consider:
¨ If your motorcycle is water cooled make sure you have a sufficient level of protection so that the coolant does not freeze.
¨ When storing your motorcycle near other vehicles that collect snow, make none of that melted stuff gets on your motorcycle. Salt can do serious damage.
¨ Cover the motorcycle with a breathable cover so that moisture does not accumulate and cause rust.
¨ Use a battery tender if you have one available. If not disconnect the battery unless you ride it more than once a month. If you do start it up, make sure to move it around or take a short ride to make sure that you evaporate all the moisture. Side bar: I keep my tender hooked all year round when not using it and I’ve managed to get six years of use out of each battery.
¨ Fill the fuel tank completely and add ethanol safe stabilizer or c-foam. Again, a partially tank will collect moisture.
¨ Operate the controls every once in a while to keep them freed up.
¨ Change the oil as soon as you bring it out of storage.
¨ Are you starting to get the picture? Moisture is a motorcycle’s worst enemy during storage.
¨ If you have an interest in storing your motorcycle with easy access see Larry Scalzitti. He has storage space available.
¨ One last item before I leave you, make sure to inspect all your riding gear both summer, autumn and winter for wear, damage, and/or mold. Then repair and/or replace it. Lots of deals right now during this off-riding season.
Oh…. and do have a Happy New Year and a great 2013 Riding year
