A harsh season, with slick roads and freezing temperatures in many regions of the nation, may be experienced throughout the winter months. There are no longer any warm summer days when touring on your motorcycle is a pleasurable way to unwind.
Motorcycle winterization is a vital aspect of any gearhead’s autumn routine, and it should not be overlooked. Here we are sharing some tips on how you can effectively winterize your motorcycle.
Tire Care
Replace your motorcycle tires with a pair of winter tires that have lots of treads. Be careful and make sure the tire pressure in both tires when you go on the road to make sure they’re properly inflated prior to you start driving.
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Do not forget to add the fuel stabilizer while filling the tank
It is not necessary to deplete the gas tank since some people may advise you to do so. Instead, take a short journey down to your local gas station, fill your tank, and add the recommended quantity of gasoline stabilizer. Gasoline will ultimately deteriorate and become gunky, and this muck will clog up your fuel system and cause it to malfunction. During your return journey, it will mix with the gasoline and pass through the fuel system.
Change engine oil
Combustion gases gather in your oil and react with the oil to generate acid. That acid shouldn’t be left in the crankcase all winter when it may wear out costly components like bearings and other moving parts. In other words, even if you have just replaced it, you will need to do it once more for winter storage. You are correct, and it is that vital.
The clearance on motorcycles is limited, and vehicle drain pans will not fit. So grab yourself a low-profile plastic food storage box and use it as a drain pan instead. Install a new filter as well as refill the crankcase with new oil before continuing.
Stuff the airbox!
You’ll need oxygen when the third component of the internal combustion alchemy works correctly. Mouse and other mischievous rodents are known for sneaking into the airbox of your motorcycle and chewing away from the air filter, or making a nest in the frame. In any case, if those same nasty varmints get their way, when you press the special button in the springtime, your bike would run poorly, if not completely fail to start at all.
To prevent the animals from getting into the intake, take an oily cloth and stuff it into the opening. A similar procedure should be followed with the exhaust pipe. Keep in mind not to pack anything there that you won’t be able to pull out in the spring.
Battery
The battery is the next major source of worry. Normal lead-acid batteries self-discharge with time, and if left unattended, your battery will most likely become too inadequate to start your motorcycle after some months of use. Because of this, it is critical that you connect the battery to a smart charger so that it remains charged and ready to go. A smart charger is one that only supplies current to the battery when it is required. There are many different types of chargers and maintainers available, but you still want to ensure that you pick one that is smart.
For lithium-ion batteries installed in motorcycles, you could get away with just removing the negative connection from the positive terminal. Lithium-ion batteries have a very low self-discharge rate and may be left unused for up to a year or longer without losing much power or capacity. It is necessary to take the battery from the bike and connect it to an indoor trickle charger if you do not have access to a power supply where you are keeping your bike or if you live in an apartment with limited space.
Fogging
It’s worth considering fogging the cylinders, which lubricates the interior of your motorbike engine with fogging oil. Fogging oil is a strong lubricant that exists in the form of such an aerosol spray and should be used only if you’re not planning on riding until spring. Fogging oil costs approximately $5 per can, so it’s probably worth it to spend a few more dollars to maintain the pricey sections of your bike in excellent working condition. Motor oil, on the other hand, may be substituted.
Carburetor
Despite the fact that you’ve added a stabilizer to the gas, you must still empty the carburetor before continuing. Remove the primary gas valve from the tank by turning it counterclockwise. Then check for the petcock or drain screw, which should be located at the base of the bowl. Place a folded towel beneath the bowl and turn on the petcock to drain the water. There won’t be a deluge of gas since a carburetor bowl usually contains roughly 2 ounces of fuel. When the gas is no longer flowing, close the valve. Allow for drying (but not in direct sunshine) before discarding the cloth into the garbage.
Keep your motorcycle covered
Let us be sure about one thing: storing a motorcycle inside in a climate-controlled environment is the finest option. Otherwise, it is somewhere in the between being somewhat more harmful and significantly more harmful. Nevertheless, this is the reality of the situation. Not everyone has access to a heated garage, particularly those of you who live in the city, in a college dorm, in your mother’s basement, or anywhere else for that matter. Renting a storage container for your motorbike may be a surprisingly reasonable method to keep it safe for the winter, particularly if you can gather up a couple of buddies to share the expense.
Remove the Spark Plugs and Their Wires
Disconnect the spark plugs with care through using a spark plug wrench, and afterward, pour a spoonful of oil into the engine’s cylinders. Removing the spark plug wires as well as storing them someplace secure is recommended. Just starting your bike and letting the engine rotate will disperse the oil throughout the bike. Keep your head away from the plug holes, though, since oil will pour out if you do.
Finally, you may thoroughly clean the spark plugs before reinstalling them in the ignition system. It is important to remember to reconnect the plug wires prior to putting the bike away.
Conclusion
Well, if you want to protect your bike during the winters and ensure that it will get started after one single button push in the next spring, then winterization is necessary.
Follow these measures, and you will be able to ensure that winter has no effect on your motorcycle.