How to Winterize Your Motorcycle

The thrill of riding a motorcycle isn't fleeting; it's seasonal. For those motorcyclists who endure regular winters, properly preparing your bike for months of storage is absolutely essential. If appropriately performed, however, you can surely start next spring with a bang.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Detergent and water
• Gloves
• Cleaning towels, chamois
• Chain lube
• Metal polish, wax, leather dressing (optional)
• Fuel stabilizer
• Maintenance charger
• Oil (new)
• Oil filter (new)
• Spark plug wrench
• Antifreeze
• WD-40
• Motorcycle cover

1. Wash your motorbike clean with a gentle mixture of detergent and water to protect the finish. Don't spray water directly into the muffler, or the air cleaner housing. Dry completely with a decent chamois. Clean and lube the chain. You may also want to take this opportunity to polish aluminum and stainless surfaces, apply a coat of wax and dress the leather or vinyl.

2. Add fuel stabilizer to your gas tank. Start the bike and run the engine for a few cycles. This allows the gas and fuel stabilizer to make their way into the carburetor and fuel injectors. If you own a bike with a carburetor, drain its float bowls: shut off the gas petcock and drain the gas from the carburetor bowls. Fuel-injected bikes, on the other hand, don't have anything to drain.

3. After the engine has warmed, change the oil and filter. Drain, flush and replace the antifreeze if necessary. You should do this every two years, regardless. Air-cooled bikes, of course, don't use antifreeze. Either fill up the gas tank completely, or let it run dry, to prevent condensation.

4. Detach the spark plug wires and remove the plugs (secure the plug wires to prevent arcs, which could ignite the oil). Squirt no more than a teaspoon of motor oil into the cylinders. Spin the motor with the starter for a few cycles, to spread the oil. Clean and gap the plugs and put them back finger-tight: this keeps junk, dust and insects from falling inside. Leave the plug wires off. This will help remind you to tighten the spark plugs once more, in the spring.

5. Remove the battery and connect it to a maintenance charger to keep it on a constant low charge. And add a thin coat of Vaseline to the battery terminal. This helps prevent corrosion.

6. Check all other fluid levels. Lube your cables, suspension, pivot points and drive shaft. Check the air cleaner, fuel filter and brake pads. Wipe light machine oil over the metal surfaces (except, of course, for your brakes). Spray WD-40 in the tail pipes and cover the opening and the air intake with either plastic wrap, or a store-bought plug. Cover the drain hoses, as well.

7. Store your bike. Bikes are best stored in a well-heated and ventilated space, like a secure garage. If you're storing your bike on bare concrete, try parking it first on cardboard or carpet.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also use the bike at least once a month. Winterization is for long-term, no-use storage.
• Gas tanks should be stored either empty, or full. Anything in between may cause condensation.
• Your tires may develop flat spots, if left to sit for long periods. Setting your bike on blocks or a center stand, however, may extend the suspension unnecessarily. Use your own judgment.
• Do not store your bike near any furnaces or freezers. Ozone can deteriorate the bike's rubber.
• Keep your face away from the spark plug holes. Oil can squirt out, which is unpleasant.
• Don't leave the antifreeze low or empty.