Winter hibernation

[jetblack]

Right, just been prepping the bike for winter storage. Given her a good clean and a liberal coating of ACF50. All panels removed and stored in the loft. Battery on the optimate. Plastic bag taped over the exhaust outlet.

Right, so on to a few queries:

1) Should I tie the clutch lever back?
2) Should I tie the front brake lever back? (i will be removing and cleaning the calipers at some point over the winter but until i get round to it, should i tie it back?
3) Should I dump the oil or wait until i'm ready to do an oil change before next spring?
4) Should i over inflate the tyres to allow for a bit of pressure loss over the winter months?

Anything else i should do for trouble free storage?

[Delboy]

Is the bike going into storage where you cant get at it?
Mine's in the garage, covered up, I just start her up every couple of weeks, pull on the brakes to keep the pistons moving, wipe over with WD40 (especially the forks) and a quick cuddle ha ha!!!

Make sure the petrol tap is in the 'off' position....

[porndoguk]

1 no springs will wear cable will strtch
2 no pistons/pads may seize
3 no leave oil in place and change before next ride

Check antifreeze levels and quality,
Brim the tank with fuel drain the carbs, and block the breather pipe on top of tank so if the tap diaphram fails an air vaccuum will stop fuel leaving the tank

[porndoguk]

Take the battery off bike and take indoors if posible, batterys dont like cold

[jetblack]

Take the battery off bike and take indoors if posible, batterys dont like cold

Already done. its conected to the optimate in the kitchen where it will stay for the next few months.

[speedy231278]

Do you have any stands for the bike? Have seen it suggested before that lifting the bike off the ground for extended periods of non-use can avoid any possibility of the tyres getting a flat spot. Also, I'm sure I read somewhere to actually reduce the pressure in the tyres, but I can't remember where I read it or what the reasoning was, assuming I didn't dream it!

[jetblack]

Its on a brand new abba stand.

[mbikerdav]

Ive read as long as you keep the tyres off the concrete you should be ok - i.e on paddock stands or worst case scenario with some cardboard underneath, stops as much air loss as the rubber isnt directly in contact with a cold surface? Correct me if im wrong

[CMSMJ1]

my poor old moto is just hanging out and kicking back as it always does... I think I need to get a look at it...

Not as paranoid as some of you though!

[andy1472]

Some people swear on a dab on engine oil down the rear pipe. It'll just burn away when you start it next. Don't forget even filling the tank to the brim wont stop the fuel going stale. Put in some fuel stabalizer from halfords or just drain it and put a dab of oil in the tank and roll it around to stop any rust developing. Certainally drain the float bowls, remove the spark plugs, put a dab of engine oil in each bore (tea spoon) and turn the engine over a few times to coat the bores (kill switch on) and return the plugs. Block up the air filter intakes to stop mice/woodlice getting in. Protect your forks as said above (if you use vasaline DO NOT compress the forks as the vaseline will rot your fork seals).

Above all. Be a proper bloke and ride it on sunny days in the winter when salt hasn't been used lol. Just joking mucka. I stored mine in sept then 2 weeks later I missed it so badly I woke her up early and are still using it and cleaning it like mad now.