It’s time to get your motorcycle ready for winter

My list to get my bike ready for winter.
Here’s a handy eight-point checklist to help you prepare for the inevitable.
1. Clean your bike. Wash off all the dirt, grease and corrosive stuff, that can damage paint and other surfaces if left over the winter. Wax painted surfaces and apply a recommended chrome protectant to all the shiny parts. At the same time, degrease your drive chain, if your bike is so equipped, with a proper chain cleaner or kerosene. Lube the chain or use chain wax. To prevent rusting, I use Crown KL 73 (Home Hardware and Crown sells it) on all metal and pivot points such as those on the bike’s side stand, center stand and footpegs as well as any bare metal like the exhaust pipes. Protect the exhaust and air box from unwanted rodents and other invaders by using plastic bags. You can also plug the end of the pipes with rags. If these critters make them a winter home, they’ll cause havoc by spring.
2. Add a fuel stabilizer and completely fill the gas tank. Run the engine for about five to ten minutes to thoroughly mix the two. Do this if your bike fuel injected or carbureted and it will prevent your tank from rusting and the gas from stratifying. If your bike is carbureted, make sure you also drain the carbs. Otherwise, gas left in them can break down and form varnish that can clog the jets. You can face an expensive overhaul job in the spring.
3. Change your oil and oil filter. Take your bike for a ride first, so the oil gets hot and is easier to drain. It’s important to drain old oil, because it absorbs combustion by-products like acids, that eat away
bare metal if left sitting. Oil can also stratify and leave gummy deposits. You can change your oil to a cheaper brand when storing, then replace it in the spring with a higher quality. It’ best to change the oil filter before and immediately after storage. When left over several months, the filter will absorb residue deposited at the bottom of the engine case and should be replaced with a fresh unit in the spring.
4. Protect the cylinder walls and valves. Remove the spark plugs and pour a tablespoonful of 50- weight oil into the cylinders. Alternatively, you can use fogging oil. Turn the engine over by putting the bike in gear, with the plugs out and the ignition off, then turn the rear wheel by hand several times.
Replace the plugs.
5. Pamper your battery and electrical components. One of the most common mistakes when storing a motorcycle is neglecting the battery. Simply hook it up to a smart charger like a Battery Tender
or a 1-2 Amp trickle charger for small engines from Canadian Tire. If you use the former, charge the battery overnight at least every four weeks. It’s not a good idea to store the battery in an unheated garage as it could crack and leak from the cold. When you remove your battery, clean any sulphated connections with steel wool and coat them with grease or vaseline. It’s also a good time to check for any exposed or frayed electrical connections. Spray all connections with Crown KL 73 or apply a lithium based grease.
6. Check all fluids. Owners of liquid-cooled machines should check coolant level and test its’ quality to avoid damage if the temperature falls below freezing. Brake fluid is prone to moisture corrosion, turning from its amber to a darker hue. So is hydraulic clutch fluid and fluid in the forks. All should be changed before the winter season (not when you’re in the hurry to get the bike on the road in the spring) and at least every two years.
7. Treat your tires with care. Inspect the tires to detect any cracks or other defects. Ultimately, it’s best to store your bike with tires resting on wood. First, put your bike its center stand and reduce the air pressure in both tires by about 20 %. If your bike doesn’t have a center stand, inflate the tires to or past their recommended pressure and rotate them every few weeks. That will help prevent flat spots in the rubber.
8. Finally, keep your bike covered. Ideally, store it in a dry, heated facility. Buy a good quality cover, one that is made of breathable fabric is preferable. Keeping it stored outside even with a cover will ruin it over time. If you don’t have access to a heated garage, try storing it with a local motorcycle dealer or motorcycle repair service.
You might skip some of the points. This is just one way of winterizing your bike.

 

I refuse to winterize my bike any day in the winter above 50 is riding weather and if it does it get above 50 i start it and let it warm up every 2 weeks all this winter prep seems like alot of to me

 

From now on, the weatherman calls for 32 F or below that. One of the disadvanteges of living up north. I looked out the window this morning and it is all white out there. 50 F or above would be nice.

 

Went for a nice cold ride yesterday. I usually try to take it out once a week just to keep it running. Usually short rides are all I can take in the winter. Did a pretty sweet fish tail turning from a side street yesterday. only reason I call it sweet is cause i stayed on the bike.