Wintering a motorcycle: instructions for use
Content
Are you not going to use the motorcycle for a while? Whether it's winter or other reasons, there is one thing you need to know: just putting the car in the corner of the garage is not enough. If you want your bindings to be in good condition when you need them again, wintering is essential. However, provided that it is carried out according to certain rules.
Below we will show you how to winter your motorcycle. Tips on how to properly prepare your motorcycle for winter and Successfully prepare 2 wheels for winter !
What are the benefits of winterizing your motorcycle?
The immobilization of a motorcycle for a long period must be carried out in accordance with clear rules. Wintering allows store your motorcycle for several weeks or months in the best conditions possible. So when you put your bike back on the road, it will be in good condition and ready to go!
When the motorcycle is stationary and cannot move for a long time without storage, its condition may deteriorate. At first it may cause several mechanical problems :
- The battery may be discharged or sulfated.
- The gas tank may rust.
- The carburetor may become clogged.
- The fuel lines can become clogged.
- Not to mention significant engine damage.
He can also cause cosmetic problems :
- The paint may be discolored.
- Rust spots can appear everywhere.
- Mold can grow.
Wintering is not only necessary. After a long hibernation, it is important to keep the bike in top shape.
When should you store or winter your motorcycle?
Wintering a motorcycle is necessary in three situations:
- In winter, hence the name "hivernage".
- With prolonged inactivity.
- When you plan to store your motorcycle for a long time.
It is important to emphasize thatwinter not only in winter... In fact, the motorcycle should be stored whenever you plan to not use it for a long time. This is why bikers talk about wintering or storage depending on the season.
How to prepare your motorcycle for wintering?
Restricting your two-wheeled vehicle to a specific location is not enough. If you do not want to get into an accident at the end of winter, you need to prepare in advance. So how do you prepare your motorcycle for wintering? What are the stages of full motorcycle wintering? Complete Guide to Know how to prepare a motorcycle for winter storage.
Motorcycle storage area
To prepare your motorcycle for winter, you must let's start by choosing a place... Garage, shed, storage box, etc. You can store your car anywhere, as long as the location you choose meets the following requirements:
- It must be dry.
- It must be sheltered from bad weather.
- There should be a minimum of openness in it.
- It must be available.
Revision and maintenance of motorcycle use
For a successful wintering of the motorcycle, it is necessary completely repair your car and carry out its full service. Here are the steps you need to follow to get your motorcycle repaired and repaired before wintering:
- Engine maintenance, which consists of draining the carburetors, lubricating the spark plugs, changing the engine oil, replacing the oil filter, and filling the crankcase with new oil.
- Chain maintenance, which consists of cleaning, lubricating and applying grease to prevent rust.
Repairs are also expected if you discover one or more problems during a major overhaul. This is to prevent complications, but also so that you don't have to fix it when you finally need it.
Complete motorcycle cleaning
It is important that your the motorcycle is clean and dry when stored. Also, if you make sure it doesn't have any mechanical problems, you should clean it thoroughly. Road salt might stick to it while you're on the road. Washing and brushing are the most effective ways to get rid of it.
When the frame is clean and dry, you can proceed to:
- Application of a protective product to rubber parts.
- Application of anti-corrosion agents to metal parts.
- Waxing painted parts.
- Applying lubricant (spray or grease) to unpainted or chrome-plated mechanical parts (pedals, selector lever, toes, chain set, etc.).
Fill up the gas tank
Remember this: an empty tank picks up rust easily over time. Therefore, it must be completely filled before wintering. Don't worry, gasoline won't polymerize. By the way, if you don't want to risk it, you can add a gasoline degeneration inhibitor to it.
However, completely emptying the tank is not prohibited. But this option requires much more work, because after complete devastation, it is necessary to move on to reservoir lubrication... Otherwise, condensation may form inside.
Disconnect the battery
If you do not want the HS battery pack to remain after the winter, do not forget to disconnect it by following these instructions: disconnect the negative terminal (black) in front of the positive terminal (red)... Otherwise, the battery may run out and you will need to replace it.
Then take a rag and use a mild detergent to remove all traces of corrosion, oil or electrolyte. Make sure it is clean before setting it aside.
When it comes to storage space, choose:
- A place where the temperature is above freezing point.
- Dry and temperate place.
Important note: never leave the battery on the ground.
Plug the exhaust vents and air intakes.
It's important block the air outlets and inlets of the motorcycle for two reasons:
- To prevent the risk of corrosion, which is bound to be caused by moisture if it gets into the muffler cartridge.
- So that small rodents do not squat there to protect themselves from the cold. They risk causing unprecedented damage.
Therefore, you must block everything inside and outside, such as the muffler, muffler outlet, air intakes ... For this you can use, for example, a plastic bag, cloth or even cellophane wrap.
Place the motorcycle on a center stand or workshop stand.
To prevent tires from deforming under pressure, place the motorcycle on the center stand, if there is one... If not, you must make sure the front wheel is raised with;
- Workshop crutch.
- Engine gasket.
If you do not have either one or the other, inflate your tires to 0.5 bar more than usual. Also remember to check the condition of your tires regularly.
Place your motorcycle under a tarp
Finally, for motorcycle wintering according to the rules, cover the frame with an inner tarp... And for a reason! If you use the wrong case, you risk damaging it more than anything else.
To avoid any unpleasant surprises, use a motorcycle-friendly tarpaulin. You will find two types on the market:
- A classic cover if the motorcycle is immobilized indoors to protect it from dust.
- A waterproof cover if the motorcycle is immobilized outdoors to protect it from cold and moisture.
Good to Know: Make sure your motorcycle is completely dry before covering it. To prevent moisture from accumulating under the tarpaulin and causing condensation, there is a breathable and dustproof interior motorcycle tarpaulins thanks to adapted ventilation.
Winterizing your motorcycle: what to do when storing your motorcycle
Always in order to optimize the life of your two wheels and to ensure that they are in good condition at the end of immobilization, you will also have to carry out some maintenance work throughout the winter. Discover for yourself operations on your 2 wheels while wintering the motorcycle.
La batterie charger
During the entire storage period the battery needs to be charged regularly, at least once a month. But again, you need to be careful:
- Choose a suitable charger, that is, a charge rate compatible with the amperage of the battery.
- Avoid fully charging, although it may sometimes be tempting to do so to allow charging a little longer.
- Do not leave it on all the time so that you do not have to do it after a month, unless you are using an automatic charger with trickle charge function. In this case, your battery will still be protected, even if it is permanently connected.
Changing the position of the motorcycle
To prevent deformation of the front tires, change the position of the motorcycle every month... This is especially necessary if you were unable to lift them with a crutch or wedge.
Also check the pressure and, if necessary, do not be afraid to re-inflate the front or rear tire.
Start your motorcycle accurately
Recommended start the bike from time to timeto warm up the engine. This allows you to move all the mechanics and make sure that at least everything is moving correctly there.
Of course, you must remove any obstructions that block the air inlet and outlet on the motorcycle before starting it. Take advantage of the opportunity to spin your wheels without ever rolling. It can also help to avoid deformations.
End of wintering: return the motorcycle to service.
That's it, winter is over and you can't wait to hit the road again on your bike. Before restart your motorcycle after wintering, some maintenance needs to be done. Indeed, the motorcycle has not been used for a long time and therefore some checks must be done before riding it.
However, be careful, everything should go smoothly. First, restart the beast slowly. Subsequently, you need to make major repairs, which involves:
- Emptying.
- Chain lubrication.
- Inflating tires.
- Accumulator charging.
- Checking and, if necessary, replacing brake fluid, coolant, etc.
Before restarting, you must also check that everything works fine and flawlessly : brakes, accelerator, foot control, ... And of course the run-in period.
