Winter Lay up

[Patrick]

Hey boys and girls, I’ve owned my 1200 since early spring so this will be the first time I’ll be laying it up. What’s your tips for winter prep?

Bike will be in a locked wooden workshop, no heating, but does have power.

[36654]

Hey boys and girls, I’ve owned my 1200 since early spring so this will be the first time I’ll be laying it up. What’s your tips for winter prep?

Bike will be in a locked wooden workshop, no heating, but does have power.

Give it a bath.  Place on center stand in shed.  Connect a battery maintainer. Cover with a dust cover, if you like.

[Patrick]

Give it a bath.  Place on center stand in shed.  Connect a battery maintainer. Cover with a dust cover, if you like.

Perfect, nice and simple. 

Thanks

[colirv]

How much fuel should one leave in the tank? A full tank arguably risks more fuel going off, an empty tank arguably increases the chances of rusting. I really don't know the answer to this!

[Grumpy Goat]

How much fuel should one leave in the tank? A full tank arguably risks more fuel going off, an empty tank arguably increases the chances of rusting. I really don't know the answer to this!

Fill up to the top and have Sta-Bil in the fuel. Solves both problems.

[Motorhead1977]

Yeppers. Especially if in an unheated space a full tank reduces the chances of condensation due to warming/cooling while stored.

[Lee]

How much fuel should one leave in the tank? A full tank arguably risks more fuel going off, an empty tank arguably increases the chances of rusting. I really don't know the answer to this!

The tank is plastic so no worries about rust.
Another vote for Sta-Bil. I even use it in the summer if I think it's going to be a few months between trips.
If you have non ethanol gas available it helps to use that.
Premium gas will last longer than regular.

[colirv]

Thanks all. As it happens I ride my bike all year round, so I don't have this problem, but I do like to know things!

[maxredline]

From what I understand if you put premium fuel in your tank you don't have to worry about the gas (petrol for you European peeps) going bad over the winter season.

[Grumpy Goat]

From what I understand if you put premium fuel in your tank you don't have to worry about the gas (petrol for you European peeps)  going bad over the winter season.

I believe that fuel stabilizer is still needed for premium gas since it is still an ethanol blend. Besides, it is cheap insurance on a PITA and potentially costly repair if there are fuel system problems. 

I did not follow that approach years ago with a new gasoline power generator (bought during a hurricane and used on and off for less than a week) and now the fuel delivery system needs to be serviced. So, what I have is an essentially new year's old generator that is a useless waste of space in my garage. Winter project.

[Lee]

From what I understand if you put premium fuel in your tank you don't have to worry about the gas (petrol for you European peeps)  going bad over the winter season.

I believe that fuel stabilizer is still needed for premium gas since it is still an ethanol blend.

Our 91 AKI does not have ethanol in it but I still use Sta-Bil because it's cheap insurance.
93 AKI in our area has 10% ethanol but I don't use that.
I also store the mower and snow blower with 91 AKI and Sta-Bil.

[Ray]

From what I understand if you put premium fuel in your tank you don't have to worry about the gas (petrol for you European peeps)  going bad over the winter season.

I believe that fuel stabilizer is still needed for premium gas since it is still an ethanol blend.

Our 91 AKI does not have ethanol in it but I still use Sta-Bil because it's cheap insurance.
93 AKI in our area has 10% ethanol but I don't use that.
I also store the mower and snow blower with 91 AKI and Sta-Bil.

And it's the air in the tank that contributes to the ethanol-water reaction. Fill to the brim if the bike's down for more then 2-3 weeks


Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

[36654]

From what I understand if you put premium fuel in your tank you don't have to worry about the gas (petrol for you European peeps)  going bad over the winter season.

I believe that fuel stabilizer is still needed for premium gas since it is still an ethanol blend.

Our 91 AKI does not have ethanol in it but I still use Sta-Bil because it's cheap insurance.
93 AKI in our area has 10% ethanol but I don't use that.
I also store the mower and snow blower with 91 AKI and Sta-Bil.

And it's the air in the tank that contributes to the ethanol-water reaction. Fill to the brim if the bike's down for more then 2-3 weeks


Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

Even if it was ideal pure gas, you would want to fill the tank to hinder the off gassing of the volatile compounds in the fuel.

[36654]

It looks like I've hit the end of season. Rain for the next two days and then possible slop snow/sleet. The tank is full, and I even added stabilizer.

[maxredline]

In the past where I had my bike in a carport I built a box just big enough to fit my bike into. Its cold and wet during the off season in these parts. I made a lightweight wood frame and then screwed 1/4" plywood with 1" foam attached. I used two corners of the carport as walls (with the foam attached) and built the rest. I could place the bike in the corner and then screw the panels into place. I used the one exposed long side to access the bike if needed but just removing a few screws. This system is supper easy to erect and take apart. I used to lean the panels to the side when not in use.
If you do this with a gas stabilizer, smart charger and lightbulb illuminated inside the the box (indirect light to the bike) the bike will come out in the spring just like you left it in the fall as long as you washed it well before putting it to bed.
I realize a good cover could work but with the light to reduce moisture I felt this box was a safer option.

[36654]

Sounds like a nice place to dry a few salmon fillets

[Lee]

In the past where I had my bike in a carport I built a box just big enough to fit my bike into. Its cold and wet during the off season in these parts. I made a lightweight wood frame and then screwed 1/4" plywood with 1" foam attached.  I used two corners of the carport as walls (with the foam attached) and built the rest. I could place the bike in the corner and then screw the panels into place. I used the one exposed long side to access the bike if needed but just removing a few screws. This system is supper easy to erect and take apart. I used to lean the panels to the side when not in use.
If you do this with a gas stabilizer, smart charger and lightbulb illuminated inside the the box (indirect light to the bike) the bike will come out in the spring just like you left it in the fall as long as you washed it well before putting it to bed.
I realize a good cover could work but with the light to reduce moisture I felt this box was a safer option.

Sounds like a good setup.