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| Winterizing Storage Tip's It tis the season, and for some part's of the world it means winterizing. This is the best time to do a little maintenance that will save you big $ in the spring. First thing you need to do is get your supply's ready. A minimum list should contain these essential items; Fuel stabilizer, Oil & filter, Trans & Gear lube, Fogging oil, Cable lube, Cleaner wax, Metal polish, and some clean towels. These instructions are for putting your bike or ATV into storage: Start by filling the fuel tank with premium gas and the correct amount of fuel stabilizer. Next thing we need to do is get the engine up to full operating temperature. This does two things, it will ensure that the oil temp gets high enough to displace the moisture from the engine, and it allows the treated fuel to reach the carburetor or fuel injection system. It makes no sense to use fuel stabilizer unless you follow these directions, if it does not get into the entire system it can not protect your carb or injector. Now with the engine still warm, drain and change your oil and filter. Also change your other lubes if applicable I.E. The shaft drive, transmission, primary, or transfer case. This is the best time to change oil, by changing before storage you are getting the contaminates out of your engine that can cause internal corrosion, and fresh oil contains no moisture, DO NOT run the bike after this if at all possible. Now remove the spark plugs, and give the cylinders a nice shot of fogging oil, depending on the model of machine, you may be able to get to the carb throat without to much trouble, if so hold the throttle open and fog through the carb into the intake of the engine, also give the trans a good fogging if it is separate from the engine. Now go around the machine and lube all the cables, the chain, the pivot points, such as the swing arm if possible, the side and center stand pivots, etc. Also clean around the battery area and make sure there is no corrosion, if there is you better get it handled now, not later. If you are not going to remove the battery, I suggest you install a maintenance charger with automatic float feature. This will keep corrosion down and make your battery last a lot longer . These chargers are inexpensive and are easy to install, most of them have leads that are left on the battery so all you have to do is plug the charger leads into the connector when you want to store next time. Now clean the bike from tip to tail, make sure to get a good coat of wax on the paint, and polish up all the chrome, stainless, and polished aluminum, do NOT polish any metal that has a clear coat or painted finish, the metal polish will ruin the finish. Wipe down the rubber, vinyl and leather with some Finish 2001 or Eagle 1, and slide the cover on it. In the spring, BEFORE you start the bike, drain all the fuel you can from the carb(s) and tank, then fill with fresh premium fuel. It is then a good time to remove the plugs and crank the motor a few times to get the fogging oil cleared out. Happy Trails, Zar-man. |
| Czarnecki Custom Cycles Omaha NE 402-707-0900 |