Airhead winter storage

[The Raven]

It getting to be that time again. The leaves are changing, the roads are starting to frost. Gear that's been packed away for 6 months is reemerging. It is soon to be winter again in the land of lobster.

Having owned the KLR for the last few years winter put-up was basically;

-Change the oil if it had more than 1500mi on it
-Full tank of fuel with stabilizer in it.
-Run the stabilized fuel through the carb, shut the petcock and let her run out
-wipe her down with an oily rag
-put a good charge on the glassmat batt
-Let her sleep till spring

What do you do with an airhead:
I think;

-Full tank with stabil
-Oil change if older than 1500mi
-wipe down
-Battery charged and disconnected
-Put on the centerstand
-Let sleep till spring

[jm-2008]

[quote=The Raven]It getting to be that time again. The leaves are changing, the roads are starting to frost. Gear that's been packed away for 6 months is reemerging. It is soon to be winter again in the land of lobster.

Having owned the KLR for the last few years winter put-up was basically;

-Change the oil if it had more than 1500mi on it
-Full tank of fuel with stabilizer in it.
-Run the stabilized fuel through the carb, shut the petcock and let her run out
-wipe her down with an oily rag
-put a good charge on the glassmat batt
-Let her sleep till spring

What do you do with an airhead:
I think;

-Full tank with stabil
-Oil change if older than 1500mi
-wipe down
-Battery charged and disconnected
-Put on the centerstand
-Let sleep till spring

Park it on Top Dead Centre (compression stroke).
If you have a kick starter -
1) Turn off the ignition
2) Place in neutral
3) Push down on the kick starter slowly until you feel it come up on compression and stop when it reaches TDC.

This has been a ritual of mine for many decades.
Reasoning is such that when the valves are closed (Compression Stroke) the spings are under minimal pressure and the valves being sealed stops moisture getting in to the cylinder & head.

My 2cents worth.

[Gimmeslack]

I've started covering the intake horns. Tired of mouse nests in airbox.

[Mista Vern]

Yeah, check for mice every once in a while - they can be ruinous.

Also, if you cover your bike use an old bed spread or something that breathes well.

[Uncle Pollo]

[QUOTE=jm-2008]

Originally Posted by The Raven

It getting to be that time again. The leaves are changing, the roads are starting to frost. Gear that's been packed away for 6 months is reemerging. It is soon to be winter again in the land of lobster.

Having owned the KLR for the last few years winter put-up was basically;

Originally Posted by The Raven

-Change the oil if it had more than 1500mi on it
-Full tank of fuel with stabilizer in it.
-Run the stabilized fuel through the carb, shut the petcock and let her run out
-wipe her down with an oily rag
-put a good charge on the glassmat batt
-Let her sleep till spring

What do you do with an airhead:
I think;

-Full tank with stabil
-Oil change if older than 1500mi
-wipe down
-Battery charged and disconnected
-Put on the centerstand
-Let sleep till spring

Originally Posted by The Raven

Park it on Top Dead Centre (compression stroke).
If you have a kick starter -
1) Turn off the ignition
2) Place in neutral
3) Push down on the kick starter slowly until you feel it come up on compression and stop when it reaches TDC.

This has been a ritual of mine for many decades.
Reasoning is such that when the valves are closed (Compression Stroke) the spings are under minimal pressure and the valves being sealed stops moisture getting in to the cylinder & head.

My 2cents worth.

Dont' worry about the springs.

And if I store it, what the hell I am going to do to get around town?

[Mista Vern]

[quote=PolloAsado]

Originally Posted by jm-2008

[i][color=Yellow]

And if I store it, what the hell I am going to do to get around town?

You can always charm the ladies into a ride with your handsome looks and your suave demeanor, no?

[Uncle Pollo]

[QUOTE=Mista Vern]

Originally Posted by PolloAsado

You can always charm the ladies into a ride with your handsome looks and your suave demeanor, no?

Yeah .. but I never get where I NEED to go like that!

[dduelin]

I turn off the fuel tap and leave the bike for 6 or 7 days then ride it for 50 to 350 miles and repeat. Works great all winter.

[The Raven]

Originally Posted by dduelin

I turn off the fuel tap and leave the bike for 6 or 7 days then ride it for 50 to 350 miles and repeat. Works great all winter.

I tried that last year with the KLR and a hack. Between the snow, ice and salt, the once rust free KLR became a rust nightmare.

Not gonna happen with the R80g/s, it's too collectable

[Frank06]

I'd change the oil anyway regardless of mileage. Obviously some planning can help ensure you're not dumping a couple of quarts with only 50 miles on it... I use the "marine" sta-bil that's bluish in color. Costs more but goes further. No issues so far with E10...

[Hawk Medicine]

I'd do an oil change, turn it over to circulate the fresh oil, drain the carbs and tank leaving the fuel taps open and the fuel lines disconnected, plug the air intakes, put the bike on a battery tender under a cover and check on it every two or three weeks.

When I lived in New Jersey, I stored my R90 covered, in an open parking garage with the tank and carbs drained, the fuel lines disconnected, fresh oil and sprayed regularly with WD-40. I also pulled the battery and stored that on my work bench, plugged into a battery tender.

Every Spring I'd reinstall the battery, pour in some fresh gas and the bike would start right up. Of course, cleaning it was a different story!

Of course, living here in Cali I just park the bike in my garage, drain the carbs and take it for a ride every so often.

[Infracaninophile]

I'd ride it to Texas or Southern Arizona and live there and ride it for the winter. How the heck anyone can survive a single winter in Maine is beyond me. The last day to leave that state is about 2 days after Labor Day. Before the water in the toilet bowl freezes.

Tom

[jackd]

I thought you guys in California and the other southern States didn't need to put your bikes away, because the weather was so mild during the winter months. Considering how hot your temps get during the summer, I thought you would find the off season riding conditions refreshing.

[fishkens]

Originally Posted by jm-2008

Park it on Top Dead Centre (compression stroke).
If you have a kick starter -
1) Turn off the ignition
2) Place in neutral
3) Push down on the kick starter slowly until you feel it come up on compression and stop when it reaches TDC.

This has been a ritual of mine for many decades.
Reasoning is such that when the valves are closed (Compression Stroke) the spings are under minimal pressure and the valves being sealed stops moisture getting in to the cylinder & head.

My 2cents worth.

Sounds reasonable but unless my martini froze my brain, this would only close the valves on one cylinder, right?

Maybe I need to be parked at TDC for a few months.

[fishkens]

Originally Posted by mymindsok

drain the carbs and tank leaving the fuel taps open and the fuel lines disconnected

Hmmm, drain the carbs and tank or add fuel stabilizer? And if it's add fuel stabilizer should it be synthetic fuel stabilizer?