LAID UP FOR WINTER

[simmo2]

Hi all,

Going to be taking my AT off the road as soon as the armpits from the council start to thrash the salt around!

I'll take care of the obvious - batery off and on occasional charge, oil and filter change, keep on centre stand, tweak the choke lever and other levers regularly etc - but do you all have any other magical tips to ensure a happy Spring time 07!!? Heard a bit of engine oil sploshed around in the tank to prevent condensation isn't a bad shout. Incidentally, it will be stored in a wooden garage with good vebtilation.

Cheers all.

[Sharribee]

How distressing to be packing your lovely bike away, wouldn't know what to do because I ride all year round

[Recycler]

How about the lazy (my chosen) method - garage it and run it once a week, top up with Optimate.

[djadams]

Hi all,

Going to be taking my AT off the road as soon as the armpits from the council start to thrash the salt around!

I'll take care of the obvious - batery off and on occasional charge, oil and filter change, keep on centre stand, tweak the choke lever and other levers regularly etc - but do you all have any other magical tips to ensure a happy Spring time 07!!? Heard a bit of engine oil sploshed around in the tank to prevent condensation isn't a bad shout. Incidentally, it will be stored in a wooden garage with good vebtilation.

Cheers all.

If it's going to be kept sheltered, then you don't need to do a lot. A good clean is well worth it, then coating exposed metal parts with something light, like scottoil Protector stuff. If you have a centre stand or a paddock stand, store it on that. As it's only a short term storage, better to brim the tank than to put oil in it. That'll keep moisture from attacking the inside nicely. If you do run it occasionally, (which is no bad thing) ensure you do so until everything is really hot, otherwise you're just creating moisture in the engine and exhaust system. If you run it up and keep blipping the throttle until the cooling fans come on, then it'll come to no harm. Having done that, you may need to re-coat some bits with whatever oily anti-damp preparation you decide to coat it with...

[Rubberchicken]

If you do run it occasionally, (which is no bad thing) ensure you do so until everything is really hot, otherwise you're just creating moisture in the engine and exhaust system. If you run it up and keep blipping the throttle until the cooling fans come on, then it'll come to no harm.

No bad thing? Not so sure about that. Heating up and cooling down again just causes more condensation everywhere which is very much not something you want.

Best is to prepare it once and just leave it. Clean it, oil & filter change, brim the tank close the taps and empty out the float bowls on the carbs, grease up the chain, use antifreeze coolant instead of just water in the cooling system if it's likely to freeze. Put more pressure in the tyres and if it's possible get them both off the ground, if not then rolling the wheels around every couple of weeks will keep the tyres from deforming. Spraying any metal piece (except maybe the brake rotors ) with vaseline or something won't hurt either.

[Tarka]

Don`t start the engine up and run it without riding it.

Even if you run it until no condensation is visible from the exhaust,you`ll be creating condensation within the engine and gearbox....an engine can take up to ten miles of road riding to totally reach optimum temperatures.

As said earlier,you`re best off cleaning the bike then spraying some form of protective spray over the exterior.

Plug the exhaust outlet and the air intake.

Drain the carbs.

Ideally park the bike up with a full tank to resist moisture build up and corrosion in the tank.

DO NOT add oil to the fuel.

Try to keep the tyres off the ground using the centre stand if you have one and a block to lift the front wheel or otherwise a paddock stand or strong crate. This avoids 'flats' occurring in the wheel bearings and any tyre deterioration.
If this can`t be done try to move the wheels around once a week.

Use an Optimate,or similar, on the battery.

Remember to put everything back as it should be after the lay up and check it all over before riding and if you don`t ride anything else through winter bear in mind how 'rusty' you`ll be when you next ride.

[simmo2]

Cheers all. Most of your tips I did last year but one or two new ones there so appreciate that.

Simmo

[Dilbert]

Keep it insured and taxed and go for a quick (minimum 50 miles ) run, just to keep everything in order, works a treat and means you don't have to go shopping when it's a crisp, sunny winters day

[mal]

I didn't use my bike much last winter,only problem i noticed brakes became slightly sticky ,a good wack with a rubber mallet on the calipers soon fixed it, make sure caliper pins are well greased, that should stop the brakes seizing.

[jvaughan]

I use my own proven technique...

Clean Bike, wax the chain, apply polish to the metalwork, wax to the plastic and screen cleaner to the screen.
take off tank bag, wax and replace.
when bike is warm, spray liberally with WD40 on cyliners, exhaust manifold, radiators, cooling fans and horn. switch all switches off ( headlights), put on centre stand, remove front wheel and re-grease the speedo takeoff. clean both wheels and apply a quick squirt of WD40 over the rims and spokes, refit wheel, cover with an old blanket

and thats it.

If I remember, I may reduce the tyre pressures a little, but not always.