Triumphrat

march · 10-29-2007

I'm embarrassed to even ask this, but does anyone have advice as to what I should do to my bike for winter storage? It's been many years since I've owned a motorcycle and I lived in Los Angeles, so I never had to deal with this before. Now I'm in NYC and have a '96 Thunderbird and I'm a bit stressed that I won't do it right.

Thanks!

B02S4 · 10-29-2007

About the only thing I would do is normal maintenance and ad some fuel stabilzer to the fuel tank. There will be enough nice days, even in NY Metro...there really is no need to "winterize" a bike like there is with an open-cooling system, inboard motor ski-boat. Just run it when you can. Maybe charge the battery, if necessary. No worries, other than perhaps gunk in the carb floatbowls & dead battery, if you don't run the bike up to operating temperature every so often.

SpiderTex · 10-30-2007

not a silly question at all

I have a friend who, besides the cleaning and polishing, puts vaseline on the chrome parts (don't ask me how he gets it back off though), lowers the tire pressure a bit and puts them off the ground (paddock stands), he then puts one of those humidity absorber thingy under it (I really wonder if that is really going to help) and then puts a cover over the bike.

me? I just continue to drive

meinschaft · 10-30-2007

+1 to all advice offered. In addition, after adding fuel stabilizer, I top up the tank to prevent condensation from forming (prevents internal rusting), and run some stabilized fuel through the carbs. Next, buy a Battery Tender to hook up to your battery (after checking the water level). Lower tire pressures. I put my bike on the centerstand and put a board under the front tire so it is not on damp concrete. Then I cover it with my Triumph bike cover and look witsfully at it from time to time. Winters where I live are LONG.

Welcome aboard.

KitNYC · 10-30-2007

Just do what I do: ride!

Seriously, the others have covered it pretty well, especially Meinschaft. Do what he said.

Also, please note that I am not in any way suggesting that riding in snow is a good idea. Just because I'm stupid enough to do something once doesn't mean anyone else should do it....

Cheers,
-Kit

Speed3 · 11-04-2007

Put the battery on a tender. Put fresh oil in it. Fill your tank and put the correct amount of Stabil in and run it for 5 minutes to get it into the carbs. If you park it in your garage, shed etc., Use Decon frequently, or the mice will move in and chew your wires. Get the wheels off the ground to avoid flat spots. Wait until spring.

frankentona955 · 11-04-2007

This is something that was posted on this subject.

Here's the link to the original: http://www.mnsportbikeriders.com/for...2&#entry213082

I was going to post the article in it's entirety, but I'm limited to 10,000 characters. I'm going to warn you, it's a long read, but not only does he walk you through exactly what he does, he also explains why he does it. The man is a scientist of sorts, in addition to being very intelligent. It's definately worth your time to read if you are going to be storing your bike for the off-season.