[Craigdb]

Yes, I know it's early and I'm jinxing the weather just by asking.

Any preference of when to change the oil? Before I winterize or when it comes out of hibernation?

I can't decide if it's better to put fresh oil in before the three months the bike will sit, or to just let it sit and then drain and fill with fresh right before riding.

 

[Crusher]

I actually do it both times. Right before the end of the season so it sits with clean oil, then in the spring, drain that out and refill with new oil.

 

[Damein]

now, with the winter coming, is it a good time to send it to the shop to get it all adjusted, a new chain... so on and so on? or should I wait till right before the new season?:confused

 

[Kratz74]

Can't get that cold in Nothern Kentucky can it? ALl I do to mine in the fall is remove battery b/c I ride it about 2 or 3 times a month. Only problem is those days are usually consecutive b/c when it warms up its only for a few days. In the springtime (aprilish) I change the oil for a fresch season. Plus in the winter I rarely get the bike to high rpms so the old oil doesn;t bother me as much.

 

[Crusher]

now, with the winter coming, is it a good time to send it to the shop to get it all adjusted, a new chain... so on and so on? or should I wait till right before the new season?:confused

Well, it's up to you, but if it were me, I'd wait and save my cash and do it all next year, that way the bike will be all set for another season of riding.

 

[krazymixer]

I had the same questions?

 

[Dragon Master]

Usually what I do is use the winter as a time to stock up on the old $$$. I buy the little things over the winter, then when the weather breaks the first thing I do is change the oil and head down to the shop and start spending $$$.:draggin

 

[Kawi250]

Winterizing? What is that? The bikes stay running all year!

 

[Redrider2k2]

Change your oil before and after winter you dont want your bearings sit there and be eatin away by the acid in old oil. And dont start your bike through the winter for only a few minutes this just makes more condensation in the crankcase which then makes more acid.

 

[cappy]

How long of a storage period warrants draining the crabs? And how do you do it?

Also If you only have a swingarm stand, would'nt you get a flat spot on your front tire?

 

[roadracer669]

what is winterization???? we ride year round here.

 

[Pegdragger]

This is my big winterizing plan...

 

[cappy]

what is winterization???? we ride year round here.

I know, I don't know how to do it. :twofinger:laughing

 

[chocoruacal]

How long of a storage period warrants draining the crabs? And how do you do it?

More than a month, I would think. When gas sits in the carbs, it forms rings in the float chamber. Also, it tends to gum everything up when it dries in the jets

Most carbs have a little allen screw on the bottom of the float chamber...open it up, gas drains out.

 

[karl_996]

I actually do it both times. Right before the end of the season so it sits with clean oil, then in the spring, drain that out and refill with new oil.

this is what I do also, but why put oil in for the winter?
Oil does get an acidic quality to it over time, that is why it is ecommended to change it in the fall and spring, but why not drain the oil out in the fall, then add new oil in the spring?
you will not be startign it without a battery anyways, and the oil is just going to sit in the oil pan anyways. I will do no good to the motor there.

 

[Redrider2k2]

this is what I do also, but why put oil in for the winter?
Oil does get an acidic quality to it over time, that is why it is ecommended to change it in the fall and spring, but why not drain the oil out in the fall, then add new oil in the spring?
you will not be startign it without a battery anyways, and the oil is just going to sit in the oil pan anyways. I will do no good to the motor there.

Thats a good point. Some would say that the oil would run down off the parts and there would be a chance of rust but i think you would have to let the bike sit for much more than a month for this to happen. And if we're talking cylinders it wouldnt matter anyway because even with oil in the crankcase it wouldnt reach them.

 

[cappy]

Couldn't you just ride down your steet and then shut the fuel petcock off to starve the carbs of gas? wouldn't that clear the bowls? Maybe turn it over with the starter a few times as well? With the choke on?

Even if you were to go through with draining the carbs, wouldn't you want to turn the engine over a few times to sort of "air out" the carbs? Ya know make sure all the gas is vaporized and blown through?:confused

 

[crammer1977]

i found this article http://www.clarity.net/~adam/winter-storage.html last week when i was looking for info on winterizing the bike. it might be some use to you all

later
Jeremy :redflip

 

[Redrider2k2]

Anyone ever hear of some kind of spray or somthing that you put in your engine in the winter? I heard that this stuff creates a foam throughout your engine protecting it. I know a few of my freinds who use it in their snowmobiles during the summer. I havent looked into it and dont know the facts or even how it works but i was wondering if you guys heard of/use it.

 

[cappy]

That's a good link crammer, thanks

The author suggests NOT draining the float bowls?:confused He says Fuel stabalizer is all that's needed? Wouldn't it also be a good idea to kill the engine for the last time by shutting the fuel petcock off? That would at least LESSEN the amount of gas in the carbs. You could even crank it with the starter, and with the choke on(?), a few more times to remove even more gas from the carbs.


redrider2k2, are you talking about stuff that get's sprayed into the cylinders or the crankcase or what?