Last Ride For This Year

There's a cold front coming and they say today may be the warmest day we have in my area until next Spring. I took a deep breath and decided that today would be my last riding day for the season. Stopped at a picturesque little park with some summer camp cottages just to sit and watch some leaves fall. Sigh...


I know others will ride way further into colder weather, but I took the opportunity to winterize the bike for the off season. Drained, removed, and dried the tank. Drained the carbs. Put a blanket over her... Good night.

 

Roll some oil around in that tank - - at least.

Those leaves haven't even changed color yet !!

 

Not sure if it was the last ride of the year, but I rode up there mostly warm with the jacket vents open over just a t-shirt, then, as the sun got low, I closed the vents, added a sweater, and rode home a little cool. It definitely felt like shifting out of summer.

 

Yeah, most of the leaves are still on the trees, but they're falling. By the time the cold front goes through and the rain stops and the roads are dry enough to ride again, it'll be 20 degrees cooler and too late to get that last shiver free day in.

As for oiling the tank... I put the empty dry tank in the temperature and humidity controlled basement next to the dehumidifier. Works great for keeping it shiny inside. Next year, put the tank back on, add fuel, prime the carbs, hit the starter, and it fires up. No muss, no fuss, no cranking until the battery is dead. Just like this year.

Hamster, that's a beautiful shot.

 

I'm sure there will be plenty of good weather before the winter hits us the hard way.

As for the fuel tank winterization, I prefer to top it with fresh fuel with some Seafoam, but I drain the carbs completely.

 

No you don't. You drain the carbs. You cannot achieve "completely" and they will varnish up on you. You cannot get ALL of the gas out, and what's left will dry up and turn to goo.

SeaFoam is mediocre at best. Find some StaBil, treat the full tank of gas, then run the bike until the stabilized gas has had a chance to get into the carbs. Then change the oil and filter, do a compression test, and fog or oil the cylinders. Fog the mufflers with penetrating oil and plug with wadded up paper shop towels permeated with penetrating oil.

And I agree with TIME, the leaves are just beginning to turn color. Plus it's supposed to be nice again this weekend; a bit crisp but clear. I don't pack it in until the leaves are GONE and I'm in Michigan.

 

I don't pack it in until there is salt on the road.

 

I think it was 80 degrees here yesterday, saw a hummingbird at the feeder and a couple of honeybees. The crape myrtles are still blooming, all that should've stopped 3 weeks ago.

 

we don't get winter anymore. Somebody broke California I think.

 

Winter?

 

I thought any gas left in the carbs would evaporate? So if you don't drain them whether there is a little bit or a full bowl they are still going to be dry in a month if the petcock is functioning correctly. Is it because the stabil is in there it won't turn to varnish?

For those that are lucky enough to have the stock exhaust I really like the fogging oil. I was wondering though is there anything else that can be done (or not) to preserve the exhaust? I know some owners will start there bikes in the winter thinking it will keep things working and lubricated. Doesn't this just lead to water in the exhaust and exacerbate the deterioration of the exhaust system - seems they usually rust from the inside out.

Riding season to me is just starting here in Florida. Too hot and humid during the summer, and then there's the one month period of the dreaded "love bug" in September.