A winter outside

cc123 · Geez a joab? Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Karma :

Well winter has well and truly arived here in bonnie Scotland...

Last year I had the luxury of a garage and cover, this year my bike will be outside with only a cover. What should I do to best protect her and her bits?

Last year I drained the crabs of fuel and took the battery out, job done....anything else I should consider?

Ta Thumbs Up

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steveh · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Karma :

keep battery on a trickle charger, grease up all important parts, if its stood there a while, let some air out of the tires.

Cant think of much else, apart from keep it secure and upright in strong winds.

Steve.
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Current : 06 Zx10r, 07 Wr450f SM, 74 850 norton commando, 63 bsa b40, 1962 Triton 650, 67 Triumph Tr6r, 1955 Triton 750, 1978 TY250E.

instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

Introduce a fox into your shed tonight and you'll inherit the shed the following day I bet... Very Happy

I'd jsut coat it in FS365 scottoiler stuff.

numark1 · Scared of girls Joined: 09 May 2004 Karma :

When did winter ever disappear from up there? Only joking. Laughing

I would invest in one of those covers which has a liner inside as it will give better protection.

Is it going to be there all winter (i.e you aren't going to use it)

If so do the usual. Let tyres down. Drain all petrol poss oil if it is due a change. I would take the battery out.

Thats all i can think of at the moment. Thumbs Up

cc123 · Geez a joab? Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Karma :

Why take pressure out the tyres?

I still want to use it IF and when its dry....

Can't see it happening much now so. I think I might take it a spin tomorrow, wash it, drain the petrol and WD40 everything up, take the battery in-doors and hope for the best! Confused

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instigator · Super Spammer Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Karma :

Valver · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 Jan 2005 Karma :

NSR125-Kid-UK · Attention Whore Joined: 03 May 2003 Karma :

AcIdBuRnZ · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jul 2003 Karma :

Crabs?

That's an awfy personal thing to be telling us on a forum Colin!!! Laughing

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Robby · Dirty Old Man Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :

I've always been told you overinflate the tyres for lay up to prevent flat spots - more pressure means the tyre holds a rounder shape. I believe the flat spot is from the tyre sitting deformed for a long time, not from the rubber getting compressed.

Drain the carbs, as you did last year.

Keep the battery indoors if its going to be very cold, hook it up to a trickle charger every other week for a few hours.

Fill the petrol up to the brim - if you drain it the tank will rust from the inside. Petrol takes a few months to go off, and you can buy stabiliser if you plan on laying it up for longer. Personally I'd fill it up with super and some meths to eat away any water that may get in.

Keep the oil at its normal level.

That should be more than enough. Personally my winter lay up consists of ignoring it. If I get a nice day I'll take it out for a ride, if it won't start I'll charge the battery, and come spring if it feels a bit choked up I'll run some fuel system cleaner through it.