Triumphrat

10-25-2005

I know - wimp and all that - but the fact is I'm storing my Thunderbird for the winter and not exposing her to salt and freezing temperatures. Too much polished alloy and chrome. Has anyone got any tips. I thought about bring her indoors - anyone done this?

Neal

legend21 · 10-25-2005

I am driving all around the year..

My tips for winter storage

1) flush the carb
2) store the bike with the tank full of gas ( to avoid moisture an rust) but it is recommanded to replace the gas with fresh one when you start again. Unleaded fuel is sensitive to storage
3) release the battery and check tle load every month, store it in a warm location, If you have a kind of battery loader like the optimate you can leave it in place, but do not forget to check the water level
4) place the bike on the center stand (if available)
5) overinflate the tires
6)Use vaseline to protect chromes, wheel, spokes
7) sprays oil within the exhaust and place a greasy rag at the end
8) spray silicone lubricant on rubber hoses

schwartzkm · 10-25-2005

A whole lot easier to fire it up and take it around the block once or twice a week.

UJMrider · 10-25-2005

If you must store it, Sta-Bil fuel stabilizer is your friend (I assume you can get this in the UK?) Sta-bil is only supposed to be good for 12 months but I can tell you I stored my 84 Kawasaki in an unheated storage unit in Laramie Wyoming (where annual temperatures range from a high of 105f/40c to a low of -30f/-34c) for 20 months, and it fired right up (with a new battery) when I took it out.

The key is making sure you fill the tank as full as possible and then run it long enough for the sta-bil to work its way through the carbs.