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Motorcycle stands
It is that period of the year again, the cold nights are drawing in, the roads are paved with wet leaves and you are beginning to mull that a canoe would be more pragmatic than driving a motorcycle right now.
It may only be the beginning of cold winter season, ushering in the wearing of that thick jacket and other winter clothing. You may have misgivings as you may be wont to admit it, it is probably proper to keep the motorcycle into storage for the winter. A functional motorcycle stand will simply do the job of lending support to this cool motorcycle of yours as you momentarily laid off your eyes on it.
But before you keep it away in your garage for the next few months, it may be worth considering taking some time just ensuring its comfort and more importantly, ensuring that it is going to be very viable as soon as the weather changes again.
Here are just some simple guidelines to make sure that your motorcycle will be ready to go the moment the climate changes.
Firstly, take it for one final ride. Any unwarranted noises you have been ignoring or anything that does not feel right should be solved by now. Once the motorcycle is heated up, any form of condensation from the exhaust will also dissipate on your way back top up the fuel tank.
Half empty tanks are an ideal area for moisture to build up which if accompanied with any exposed metal could harm your bike. Once you are back home, put in the engine up with some fuel stabilizer and rev up the motorcycle for some minutes to permit it to work its way round, even if your motorcycle does not have carburetors, a fuel stabilizer will hold any compound formation from the fuel tank breaking up and destroying your engine.
Altering the oil and filter is quite important too; any form of acid compounds developed by the oil will have to be flushed out. As this oil will be required to be drained prior to your next ride, it does not have to be the most costly oil on the market. Submerging some of the more sensitive sections of your motorcycle, for instance the bearings, in oil will aid prevent dilution.
Note that any excess oil has to be siphoned off before revving up the engine as too much oil can destroy the engine just as much as too little oil. Also, you will also have to top up the antifreeze. If you are able; siphon the float plugs. In the alternative, if a stabilizer is incorporated to the fuel and run through the process this should be viable just as well. Prior to putting your motorcycle into maintenance room, you will also want to lube the chain, if left; the chain can corrode and rust.
Always note to keep any lubricants away from the breaks or tires, assuming you want to stop sans the assistance of a tree the next time you try to break. Any other form of exposed metal is going to require some WD40 to prevent any form of rust and corrosion.
It may sound obvious, but give the motorcycle a good cleaning. This will allow you to recognize anything out of the ordinary as well as getting rid of any dirt or grime which can destroy the motorcycle throughout the period of the winter months, just note not to put it away while it is still wet.
If there is anything worth overhauling or maintaining this is an ideal time to get it out of the way, in such a way that when spring comes the motorcycle will be ready to go as soon as the weather allows it to be in running again.
Chances are with a lot of motorcycles these days everything will be okay, however your motorcycle maybe need some valve adjustment or something similar and now is a perfect time to get that done.
After that you will have to get rid of the battery, especially considering that your motorcycle is going to be exposed to brave the natural elements outside all winter. Batteries have water which can freeze and expand, this can drive the battery to crack and once it melts it can leak which can spread.
A battery tender will simply give it just the charge it requires without letting it over charge. If you simply allow your battery alone to be stored in your motorcycle all winter, you will have problem even getting to the shop to get a new one!
All that is left now is to search somewhere nice, clean, dry to store you motorcycle. Your motorbike would prefer to be stored in a garage but if that is not possible try and make sure it is not in an open space.
It is quite bearing in mind though, if its parked with a cover outside, condensation could mount up and you will have an overwhelming pile of rust to affect your first ride out in the spring. If you are going to have to leave your motorcycle outside just ensure it is safe, secure and preferably out of sight. More importantly, leave your motorcycle on a motorcycle stand as this will take any weight from the suspension.
Well so far that would be it. It is high time to relegate yourself to the car for the next few months. Next time when you are at a loose end on a sunny clear Sunday afternoon, refrain yourself from taking your motorcycle bike for a fast mid winter spin, you will only wind up having condensation in the engine rather than get on with a host of routine maintenance. |