Storing bike for winter

[adriansk]

Hey BCF,

1st bike, 1st winter so haven't got a clue what I'm doing

I've cleaned the bike, wiped it all down and is now stood in the garage. I've removed the negative cable. Anything else I should be doing? I've got a tiny bit of petrol left in the tank, that ok?

Last time I used the bike was about a month ago and it hardly started as it was stood in the garage for about 3 weeks.I'm going reconnect the battery on Saturday and try and start it up, doubt it will, tbh I have no idea how old the battery is.

Cheers all
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CBR600F4

[grr666]

Throw an old sheet over it to keep the dust off of it. Get an optimate battery charger and plug it into the mains while
it sits. It may even rejuvenate and recover the old battery a bit. Fill the tank because condensation inside will eventually cause rust.
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[Beehive Bedlam]

Buy a Haynes manual.

[NJD]

Few things that spring to mind:

(1) Fill tank to full
(2) Put the bike on paddock stands or alike to get the tyres of the ground so they don't develop flat spots,
(3) Clean and lube chain so in aid to prevent it getting rusty
(4) Put battery on (trickle?) charge over time not used
(5) Clean and lube parts

Use the time its of the road to do the odd jobs, including that battery issue, or just look at it.

I'd still be riding mind, been mild thus far.
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The do it all, T̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶r̶o̶k̶e̶n̶ ̶o̶n̶e̶,̶ ̶T̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶i̶g̶ ̶l̶u̶m̶p̶,̶ ̶C̶h̶o̶n̶g̶ ̶N̶o̶o̶d̶l̶e̶

[Rogerborg]

[grr666]

No, because it's necessary. My (working) shed is very well ventilated, The dust and crap that gathers on my bike covering
sheets (sawdust usually from my nearby wood chopping area although I occasionally see leaves blown in from the 60ft oak
tree about 5 metres away) seems to demonstrate their usefulness. Besides, I like to keep my bike in showroom condition.
The only time my bikes are not in the shed is when I'm out on them. They don't sit outside in either rain or sunshine,
and are regularly slavered with a variety of detailing products.

I even clean the thing in there, a shed-bath if you will. Not everybody wants a battle scarred neglected looking old thing.
Believe me Roger, dust doesn't settle on this thing when it actually is outside. But when there's gaps of literally weeks &
sometimes months between rides it does make some sense. I will sack going out for a ride if the roads are wet, never
mind if it's actually raining. Not because I struggle to ride in that kind of weather, but because I don't want my bike to get filthy.
It pissed me off greatly that on Akrapovic day it was chucking it down and a 6 mile ride had my bike looking like I'd taken
it off road. Stopped me going out and scaring some pensioners with noizee exhorst and everything. It's fair to
say it's more of a toy than a tool for me. Off outside to wash the car now.
____________________
Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[Aceslock]

I agree about covering it up. Unless your shed/garage is air tight, then you are going to get dust settling on your nice shiny paintwork.

Mines been undercover since i cleaned it & ACF50'd it on Nov 5th. Dying to get out on it though now the salt has been washed away

OP, may be a good idea to take your battery off and take it inside if it is not shagged, it will prevent any further deterioation. (if you are not going to ride it for a couple of months)
____________________
Previous Bike: Skyjet SJ27
Sold: Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat. Sold: ZX636R
Current bike: R1 14B (Beast)

[Rogerborg]

https://i.imgur.com/NgYjaLq.png
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[adriansk]

Thanks all for responses.

It's already stood on center stand, chain cleaned and lubed. Will add more petrol and will purchase a trickle charger (£20 at Argos).
____________________
CBR600F4

[onlyJaz]

[Aceslock]

[ADSrox0r]

Resist the temptation to 'fire it up' for a while every so often. Plenty of people pop up and say "I always fire it up through winter and leave it idling for ten minutes and it's fiiiiine"

It isn't. It encourages internal condensation because you can't get it hot enough stood idling for it to burn off. Either leave it be or take it for a ride.
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Current bikes: '08 VFR 800 VTEC(yo) , '07 ZZR1400 Winter hack: '95 Aprilia 650 Pegaso Currently lusting after: RC30

[SophR so good]

Store it between your legs for an hour daily.
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You win again, gravity! - Zap Brannigan, BCF BBQ 2016

[kawakid]

In the past I've done an oil change prior to winterising the bike.

I bag the exhaust, so nothing climbs in.

I lay some carpet off bits on the ground and have both tyres on them. (I've had a BT21, go weird over winter once)

I remove the battery and keep it in the house and give it a charge once a month or so.

Ohh I put a dust sheet over it also.

Ohh keep the seat on. I had a mouse who made his home, in the under seat storage of my Z one year.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[M.C]

[Johnnythefox]

Some great tips on here. Filling the tank will prevent rust forming, the petrol covers the internal steel and prevents oxygen getting to it, thus no internal tank rusting.

[stevo as b4]

I prefer to drain fuel tanks and run carbs dry.

If you drain the tank you can either take it off and pour in a cup full of engine oil and shake it around, or alternatively spray a load of water dispersant oil spray into the tank and leave it on the bike.

I like to fire up a two stroke engine every couple of months tho, to keep the crank seals wet with oil. If your storing the bike much longer, I'd probably fill the crankcase with oil instead.

[iooi]

[Mawsley]

Mousetraps.

Two years ago the bastards ate my boots, pissed in the pockets of a jacket and set up home in my airbox.

Kill them all with mousetraps.

[BTTD]

[grr666]

I use an old cotton bedsheet with elasticated corners.
____________________
Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[smallfrowne]

[grr666]

I throw it over the top of the other bike that I'm not using for an hour or two while I'm out on the one I just uncovered.
It's only ever out of the shed for an hour or two at a time. I'm mostly a sunny sunday rider.
____________________
Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[smallfrowne]

Damn, I just wanted help with folding fitted sheets
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'90 VFR750; '89 NC30; '95 DR650; '89 CD250U; ~'82 CG125; ~C90

[Aceslock]