How to Winterize Your Motorcycle
As the motorcycling season winds down, it’s time for your rig to go into hibernation. For most bikers, the end of fall marks a crucial time for maintenance. With the onset of winter, it is time to tuck away your bike, but not before winterizing it effectively. Here are some helpful guidelines on how to prepare your Harley® for winter, so that you can get back on the road at the first sign of spring, hassle free!
To check out a prolific range of motorcycles on the market, drop by Barnes H-D® in Langley, Kamloops, and Victoria, BC. One of the most prominent names amongst motorcycle dealerships, our staff looks forward to assisting you in any way possible. For all things Harley, Barnes Harley-Davidson® is your locally preferred dealership!
Give Your Bike a Thorough Cleaning
Before stowing away your motorcycle, wash off the oil and grime to protect its finish and performance. If you don’t, the dirt is likely to settle in, wearing down your bike. Do a thorough job and give your Harley-Davidson® a good coat of wax as well. Hit the exposed metal with a shot of WD-40 or your preferred water displacing lubricant.
Oil Change
Change the oil and filter like normal. You may consider using a winter weight oil to get an easier start up when when it’s time to hit the road again. For long storage periods, pull your spark plugs and pour a little fresh oil in the cylinder, then rotate your rear tire (while the bike is in gear) to ensure that the entire inside surface of the cylinders are well-coated. This will protect the cylinder from potential corrosion.
Lubrication
Lubricate all the moving parts of your bike before storage. Your chain, cables, forks, any pivot points in the suspension, and controls all should get a coat of lubricant before an entire season of hibernation.
Fuel System
To ensure your bike’s internals run well come spring, you will need to stabilize your fuel. Fill your tank all the way, and then add a dose of fuel stabilizer. After adding the stabilizer, keep your motorcycle running for a while to circulate the stabilized fuel.
Battery
Remove the battery, hook it up in a battery tender, and store it in a safe and dry place. Leaving your battery hooked to your bike isn’t a great idea, as you’ll probably come back to a drained bike. Also make sure that your battery terminals are corrosion free. If they are grimy,
clean them off and apply a light coat of grease to help protect them in the coming months.
Tires
Invest in a motorcycle stand and you’ll thank yourself for it when it’s time to bring your bike out of storage. Leaving your bike sitting on its kickstand for all those winter months is guaranteed to cause flat spots on your tires. A motorcycle stand will keep the wheels off the ground. Another option is to rotate your bike tires manually every few weeks to distribute pressure evenly. To stop moisture on the ground from seeping into your bike, place plywood or carpet under the tires.
Coolant / Antifreeze
To avoid bleeding money on repairs and maintenance post-winter, there’s one simple thing you just cannot miss: put the right amount of antifreeze in your coolant system (if you’re anticipating a freeze) and you’re all set for the plummeting temperatures.
Storage
We know that your Harley® is your baby. And during winter, the best way to protect it and keep it in ship-shape condition is to keep it away from rough weather conditions. Store your bike on a motorcycle stand in a warm, dry garage or storage space and at least cover it up well. If you’re keeping your motorcycle out in the open, you might want to invest in disc locks to prevent theft.
These are some basic things you can do to make sure your bike is all set for the winter. If you need help with any of these winterization tasks, please swing by Barnes Harley-Davidson®. We serve all of British Columbia. No time to winterize your bike on your own? No problem! Our factory trained, award-winning team will make sure your bike is taken care of with meticulous attention to detail. Visit us today and feel free to check out our range of H-D® motorcycles, go for a test drive, customize your bike, and so much more!