Triumphrat

chefmv

I am lucky enough that my job takes me South for the Winter however my bike has to stay home and suffer in the freezing cold garage in Maryland all season. It will not be used or even started from December to May.

What protective winterizing measures should I take? Never had a bike in a cold climate before.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

GrandPaulZ

Sta-bil for the gas (top off the tank)

Run the bike till it's nice and hot, then change the oil.

Pull out the battery, top it off with distilled water, and put it on a battery tender with less than 1/2 amp and auto-maintain setting.

Set it on the centerstand if it has one.

Cover it with a "breathable" cover.

That ought to do it.

__________________
GrandPaulZ
Author of "Old Bikes"
Born Again Bikes
My Photo album

Webby

Hi chefmv,

No problem if your garage is cold, as long as it's dry. I would do the following, I'm sure I will have forgotten something so a few suggestions from other members would be welcome

Drain Fuel from tank and carbs (VERY IMPORTANT!)
Disconnect Battery, if possible leave it somewhere a little warmer like inside the house.
Change Engine & Gearbox oil (the nasty contaminates in used oil are acidic)
Change hydraulic fluid (the brake fluid is hydroscopic, so it absorbs water)
Leave the bike on the centre stand and over inflate the tyres. This will avoid flat spots on the tyres.

You might want to give the chrome, bare alloy and steel a good coating of WD40 (just remember to clean it off when you return)

Cover the bike with a breathable cover to keep the dust off, don't use one of those plastic covers as they tend to keep the moisture in.

That's all I can think of, I'm sure some of the guys out there will have some other suggestions.

Webby

GrandPaulZ

"Immitation is the sincerest form of flattery"

Thanx Webby!

__________________
GrandPaulZ
Author of "Old Bikes"
Born Again Bikes
My Photo album

Webby

[QUOTE=GrandPaulZ;1365087]Sta-bil for the gas (top off the tank)

Hi GPZ, what is Sta-bil ? I've never heard of it

Thanks

Webby

GrandPaulZ

Fuel stabilizer.

Good stuff!

__________________
GrandPaulZ
Author of "Old Bikes"
Born Again Bikes
My Photo album

Webby

Thanks GPZ, It's always good when someone in the know replys with almost the same answer, maybe I'm not so stupid after all

Webby

PS: When are you opening a shop in France?, there are at least 2 customers over here that could do with your expertise

Webby

Thanks GPZ, you learn something new every day !

Webby

GrandPaulZ

Hey, the people that contribute all thier experience on this forum come from ALL CORNERS of the globe (does a globe really have corners?)

So, it doesn't matter where the people are that need the help, as long as they come to the Classic section of TriumphRat.Net!

__________________
GrandPaulZ
Author of "Old Bikes"
Born Again Bikes
My Photo album

Webby

And that is why I keep coming back here, although I should really spend less time on the computer and more time in the garage

Webby