Thumper Club Forum
Technical => Bike Problems/Questions => Topic started by: Ian on November 16, 2007, 01:50:07 PM
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Dose anyone have any recommendations for putting bikes away for the winter ?
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Change oil and filter.
Turn fuel tap off and run engine until all fuel is used in intake system, drain tank or fill it to the brim.
Clean and polish all parts possible.
Clean, adjust and lube chain.
Spray all corrodable parts and electrical connections with AC50 or similar if to be stored outside.
Hook battery up to Optimate.
Place on centre stand and put timber prop under right hand fork leg to take front tyre off ground.
Cover with breathable cover if inside, waterproof if outside.
Well this is what I will be doing to mine this weekend anyway! Oh and stripping the front and back end off and taking the seat to be recovered.
In a strange sort of way I actually enjoy the whole mothball process but as soon as i finished I have an uncontrollable urge to ride the bloody thing!!
Andy
PS - I usually change the oil again after the bike has been laid up over winter.
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Open shed door,
Put bike in,
Close door.
1st MARCH?
Open shed door,
Get bike out,
Start it?
Maybe that's just me!!!!!! ::)
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brim the tank with petrol and drain the carbs.
undo the drain screws on the carbs and blow down the petrol pipe, so as to remove all traces of petrol.
probably worth turning the motor over every weekend, it only takes a minute and will ensure nothing gets stuck in place and will push a bit of oil around.
if its a motor with roller bearings (2 stroke, british or harley) it might be better to pour a whole load of oil into the engine (not oil tank) to ensure everything is immersed in oil.
roller bearings have enough space for much of the oil to run off leaving just a small film. any hole in this film may rust, thus eating away the bearing when used later on.
imho this is why many low mileage harleys have bottom end problems, whilst those used every day go on and on.
anyone agree?
bullet350
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Well thanks for all the info.
Under normal circumstances I'd ride each one in turn through the winter ( 2 skorpions and 1 XBR )
But the only other option is to sell them :( which I'm trying to addvoid at the moment.
As it is I've already had to earmark some of the spares for Ebay .
Along with a project that hasn't been started yet....
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What do you mean mothballing? I find washing it with a solution of water and biological washing powder keeps the moths away. Or at least it has done worked so far. This however does not stop the rust dragon visiting the garage overnight.
Anyway surely you will need it for work on monday moning!
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I put mine away carefully when there is ice on the ground as I dont want to fall over. In the morning I take it out just a carefully as the flagstones seem prone to freezing then off to work we go. >:(
Other than that, I let the spiders eat the moths, balls and all, and keep riding...
However, I am predicting big snow drifts ;D this Christmas here is Souff Lundon so I wont be able to ride at all :(
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What ! You STOP Riding your bike !!???????????
Weird Bloke ! ::)
Jethro ;)
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Mothballing ,Putting it away for an unspecified length of time :'(
Monday Morning is the school run then off to work ,2 kids and 1 big kid don't fit on 1 bike.
Ice is the only time I've got my knee down properly ::)
What ! You STOP Riding your bike !!?? NO Choice :'(
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Get a Sidecar and scare the living Crap out of yourself and passengers ! ;D
I did ! Mind Mother did like going in the chair ! :D
Jethro
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Get a Sidecar and scare the living Crap out of yourself and passengers ! ;D
I did ! Mind Mother did like going in the chair ! :D
Jethro
Yes I'd enjoy doing that ;D
But the mortgage and kids come first ........