Its never fun having to put a motorcycle away for the winter, but following a few easy steps will help ensure that it starts up again free of problems come spring time.
One of the most important steps in winterizing a motorcycle is treating the fuel. Gas breaks down and gunks up an engine when it is left sitting for long periods. This causes malfunctions and costly repairs down the road. The best way to avoid this problem is to fill the bike’s gas tank up at the end of the season and adding a fuel stabilizer to the tank. This will slow down the fuel breakdown and the bike should start right back up, even months later.
Another important tip is to try to take the weight off the motorcycle’s tires. Some models have a center stand that can lift the bike up, but if not they can always be jacked up off the floor. This will help save wear and damage to the tires, which can help avert a disaster while driving down the road. A blowout is one of the most dangerous things that can happen on a motorcycle, so anything that helps prevent it is worthwhile.
Lastly, the battery is another part of the motorcycle that doesn’t like to be kept sitting around. Investing in a battery trickle charger is a good idea to keep the battery in perfect working order. If the motorcycle is being stored somewhere very cold it is advisable to unhook the battery and bring it inside for the winter. Very low temperatures could cause the battery case to crack, which can lead to leaking battery acid in the spring that will damage other parts of the bike as well. Another way to help keep a battery healthy is to run the motorcycle every couple of weeks for five minutes or so. It doesn’t need to be driven anywhere, but running it will help keep the battery working and the fuel lines from getting ruined.
Owning a motorcycle is a lot of fun, and following these easy steps will keep your cycle trouble free for many years. Don’t make the mistake of underestimating the importance of preparing your motorcycle for winter.
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