Bikes now away for winter (probably)
Discussion
The weather was good yesterday, so sorted the bike out for storage - oil/filter change, chain cleaned, deep clean of the bike, oil cables and cover in ACF50 etc.
The fuel level is quite low (no additive added), but what else do you do to your bike before putting it away?
The weather being good yesterday I could hear a few bikes out and about - at least if there is a decent day coming up, I know I can reconnect the battery and she's good to go!
The fuel level is quite low (no additive added), but what else do you do to your bike before putting it away?
The weather being good yesterday I could hear a few bikes out and about - at least if there is a decent day coming up, I know I can reconnect the battery and she's good to go!
Edited by Cooper1999 on Sunday 9th October 15:40
I do nothing apart from disconnect the battery and throw a blanket over it, never have done, there's no need, my bikes always start come spring, whether they are 20 years or 6 months old, worst part of it is washing the decomposed flies off them.
Seems a lot of folk like to faff around doing unnecessary stuff but that's up to them I guess.
Seems a lot of folk like to faff around doing unnecessary stuff but that's up to them I guess.
Jazoli said:
I do nothing apart from disconnect the battery and throw a blanket over it, never have done, there's no need, my bikes always start come spring, whether they are 20 years or 6 months old, worst part of it is washing the decomposed flies off them.
Seems a lot of folk like to faff around doing unnecessary stuff but that's up to them I guess.
Agreed. Although I take my bike out every weekend, provided its dry & not much below 5C. This usually means that I'll ride only a couple of times in January/February - I think the longest my bike has been parked up is about 3 weeks, & it started on the button without any form of charging/battery maintenance.Seems a lot of folk like to faff around doing unnecessary stuff but that's up to them I guess.
I do like to get into the nooks & crannies with ACF50 with a small paintbrush at this time of year though.
Your original Suzuki manual will have given long term lay up storage along these lines, as did every manufacturers handbook from the 80s,90s and early 00s I own.
Appreciate your bike isnt carb'd but the rest is equally applicable. I still do pop some oil down the bores of my bikes , even thou technically bikes with chrome plated bores dont benefit from it.
If we had all done this back in the day, for one thing, we wouldnt be crying over the prices of decent fuel tanks for 80s/90s classics...
Appreciate your bike isnt carb'd but the rest is equally applicable. I still do pop some oil down the bores of my bikes , even thou technically bikes with chrome plated bores dont benefit from it.
If we had all done this back in the day, for one thing, we wouldnt be crying over the prices of decent fuel tanks for 80s/90s classics...
Jazoli said:
You obviously don't live in the North of England then 
Too right.
It was blowing a gale up here this weekend. I was up ladders fitting fascia boards and everytime I got down to measure one my ladders blew over.
I think that’s my biking year over too. I’m not a million miles from the OP funnily enough up in Northumberland.
This year saw a 10 mile round trip for mot then a 50 mile round trip to work and back. Oh well, roll on next year.
I may as well not have bothered but I guess the plus side is I’m building my NCB back up after a long break.
Must admit I do nothing with my bike for winter. It’ll get a clean and put on the trickle charger. I’ll go in every few weeks and operate the clutch so it doesn’t stick. I might start it once in a while or I might not.
Steeler - I used to roll the bike onto an old piece of carpet and use the rear paddock stand and pump the tyres high. Since getting the front stand there's no issue with the tyres.
I've never used a trickle charger, only disconnecting the battery. I'm on my second battery in 25 years which isn't too bad I think (watch now it'll die this year!).
I've also always left the fuel level low - when I get the bike out (usually April) I fill the tank with fresh fuel and go out for a long ride to get the new fuel throughout the system. And I tend not to start the engine if I'm not going out. This I think attracts condensation more than any potential benefit.
Marky - I occasionally go past your place getting over to the West. If you want to get some more miles in next year just let me know - I find it's often a case of finding an excuse to get the gear on and go out these days (must be getting old).
Although the bikes cleaned, covered in ACF50 etc, I know it's good to go if I see there's a couple of decent winters days on a weekend, but gone are the days where I'd head up to Hartside, following cars as they cut tracks in the snow! (The open fire in the old bakery in Melmerby was nice though)
I've never used a trickle charger, only disconnecting the battery. I'm on my second battery in 25 years which isn't too bad I think (watch now it'll die this year!).
I've also always left the fuel level low - when I get the bike out (usually April) I fill the tank with fresh fuel and go out for a long ride to get the new fuel throughout the system. And I tend not to start the engine if I'm not going out. This I think attracts condensation more than any potential benefit.
Marky - I occasionally go past your place getting over to the West. If you want to get some more miles in next year just let me know - I find it's often a case of finding an excuse to get the gear on and go out these days (must be getting old).
Although the bikes cleaned, covered in ACF50 etc, I know it's good to go if I see there's a couple of decent winters days on a weekend, but gone are the days where I'd head up to Hartside, following cars as they cut tracks in the snow! (The open fire in the old bakery in Melmerby was nice though)
Edited by Cooper1999 on Wednesday 12th October 10:16
Cooper1999 said:
Steeler - I used to roll the bike onto an old piece of carpet and use the rear paddock stand and pump the tyres high. Since getting the front stand there's no issue with the tyres.
I've never used a trickle charger, only disconnecting the battery. I'm on my second battery in 25 years which isn't too bad I think (watch now it'll die this year!).
I've also always left the fuel level low - when I get the bike out (usually April) I fill the tank with fresh fuel and go out for a long ride to get the new fuel throughout the system. And I tend not to start the engine if I'm not going out. This I think attracts condensation more than any potential benefit.
I'm a convert to a trickle charger. I'll have to try the carpet idea - sounds sensible to me. I've never used a trickle charger, only disconnecting the battery. I'm on my second battery in 25 years which isn't too bad I think (watch now it'll die this year!).
I've also always left the fuel level low - when I get the bike out (usually April) I fill the tank with fresh fuel and go out for a long ride to get the new fuel throughout the system. And I tend not to start the engine if I'm not going out. This I think attracts condensation more than any potential benefit.
TCX said:
Jazoli said:
HybridTheory said:
With global warming it's never winter !
You obviously don't live in the North of England then 
[quote=Cooper1999]
Marky - I occasionally go past your place getting over to the West. If you want to get some more miles in next year just let me know - I find it's often a case of finding an excuse to get the gear on and go out these days (must be getting old).
Hi Cooper,
Yes I remember you saying you’re local.
I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m well and truly a fair weather friend these days, whether it’s fun cars or bikes. It’s no fun guessing grip levels as you head into a bend and it’s even less fun washing cars and bikes in the freezing cold. :grin:
Definitely up for a ride sometime. Out of all my mates there’s only one has gotten a bike with me last year despite a couple more saying they would. Said mate has 4 kids though and a huge old house to renovate, hence I’m a Billy no mates usually.
I’ll have to get upto speed though before going out with anyone else, as I came back after an 8 year break last year and have only done about 300 miles since. I’m so rusty it’s a joke.
Marky - I occasionally go past your place getting over to the West. If you want to get some more miles in next year just let me know - I find it's often a case of finding an excuse to get the gear on and go out these days (must be getting old).
Hi Cooper,
Yes I remember you saying you’re local.
I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m well and truly a fair weather friend these days, whether it’s fun cars or bikes. It’s no fun guessing grip levels as you head into a bend and it’s even less fun washing cars and bikes in the freezing cold. :grin:
Definitely up for a ride sometime. Out of all my mates there’s only one has gotten a bike with me last year despite a couple more saying they would. Said mate has 4 kids though and a huge old house to renovate, hence I’m a Billy no mates usually.
I’ll have to get upto speed though before going out with anyone else, as I came back after an 8 year break last year and have only done about 300 miles since. I’m so rusty it’s a joke.
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