Triumphrat

gripweed · 11-13-2012, 02:01 PM

I've been reading through some of the other threads and it varies with everyone's opinion, obviously, and different bikes.

I have a 2012 Bonneville.

That's fuel injected, right? So is fuel stablizer good or bad for fuel injected? because I've seen both.

I had my first service (500 miles) done a few months ago. I've got like 1100 miles on it now....is it alright to leave the current oil and filter for now? I was going to change it in spring to freshen it up. Or should I do it before winter?

How about lubing cables? I didn't really see anything there. They barely even talk about it in manuals...do the newer bikes not need it like the older ones? Should I take the time to do it before winter or just do it in the spring as I'm refreshing everything for a new year?

The manual says to remove each spark plug, put a couple of drops of oil into each cylinder, run the starter for a few seconds to coat the cylinder walls, then return the spark plugs. I haven't seen anyone else mention doing this. Is it worth doing? Is it more important to do with an older bike than a new bike? As in...should I do it a couple years from now as opposed to being 3 months old?

Manual also says spray rust inhibiting oil on unpainted metal parts. Isn't this what they did on car under bodies in the 70s? That's the only time I've heard of anyone doing that. I have seen some people mention something called Cockpit Spray, which basically looks like a silicone protectant from what I can tell. Any thoughts?

I've also seen people mention covering the exhaust with steel wool to keep mice out, but then some people advise against it due to metal shavings being left behind.

Finally it says remove the battery. Should I do that or use a tender? If I use the tender, should I just leave it on all winter or just do it every couple of weeks?

The bike is going into my shed in the back yard with the mower, yard tools, etc. It's not heated, but it's dry in there.

Right now I cleaned the bike up, washed and dried it off. Cleaned and lubed the chain. Filled the gas tank and put some fuel stabilizer in there. Then I'll take it out to the garage, put it up on the center stand, cover it with a motorcycle cover (it's like a tent type material cut to fit a bike, not just a tarp), and check on the battery every couple of weeks and run the tender on it once a month on the weekend.

Are there any strong opinions with new bonnevilles vs older bonnevilles or scramblers or other models?

I'd really appreciate any info and suggestions.

wenzel850 · 11-13-2012, 03:48 PM

Change the oil and filter before the spring. The sooner the better. That will get rid of the acids in the oil that could destroy your seals in the motor. You don't have to change the oil again in the spring.

If your going to ride the bike again in the spring, skip putting the oil in the cylinders, that's for real long time storage.

Cover the exhaust exits with plastic bags and string, to tie the bags up tight.

Don't worry about the cables they'll be ok in the spring.

Bring the battery inside and keep it on a tender.

Since you already waxed the bike that, takes care of surface care.

Cover the bike and since you already added fuel stabilizer, it'll be good to go in the spring.

This is how I store my bike for the winter.

gripweed · 11-13-2012, 08:26 PM

Sounds like I got it about right then.

When do you typically lube the cables? If I remember right, they only have it in the 6,000 mile check ups. Seems like a long time though.

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wenzel850 · 11-14-2012, 09:28 AM

I haven't lubed them, and I've haven't had any problems with them. Yet !!!!!!!!