Date: 10/24 07:32
Insert tongue firmly in cheek…
!!!NOT THAT CHEEK!!! (Sheesh!)
Well, daytime highs are predicted to fall below 90 degrees this weekend so it is time to start thinking about winterizing The Dragon. Already I have had to break out the leather jacket several mornings (I go into work at 4:30am) as the morning lows were in the 60’s. One morning we even hit 58 degrees!
The national organization of orthopedic surgeons has polled all its former knee surgery patients and is predicting a severe and wetter then usual winter for our area this year. Based on this we fully expect our winter to last 6 or 7 days this season instead of the usual 3 or 4 days.
Anyway we have tentatively scheduled our winter for February 14th through the 21st. Now I am a die-hard rider, but I will not (usually) ride in icy conditions, so I am expecting to have to drive “Big Iron” (the 400hp V-10 4x4 Dodge) for at least 5 days (jheez, I wonder where in the heck I keep the keys to that thing?). I wonder if it even runs? (I understand you are supposed to start those cage thingys at least once a year, but I have really been busy).
The Valkyrie has never sat that long, so I figure I have to winterize her. I mean, 5 days without riding is a LONG time…has anybody ever done this? 5 days?
So what do I need to do for that long of a layup?
Drain the battery juice?
Varnish the inside of the exhaust system (prevents rust)?
Change the tire oil? I am figuring on using Penztellaroil (modified hybrid natural synthetic) in my Avolop (front) and QuakerCastor (hybrid modified synthetic natural) in the Dunvon (rear). (the BridgeYear tires I picked up on clearance are still hanging on the garage wall).
Change the rear shock air? (Drilling and tapping the holes to get it out is a pain), and just what brand of air do I top them off with?
One forum suggested taking the wheels off and hanging the bike upside down from the ceiling to avoid front end frame sag. (and we all know how embarrassing that “front end frame sag” can be right?)
I also thought of cleaning all the gaskets, re-knurling all the clutch plates, and reversing the alternator (to even out the wear on those electrons of course!), but cannot find any good instructions on those procedures. (I guess not many people have had to put their bike up for 5 whole days!)
Oh, and I nearly forgot rotating all the light bulbs, but that does not take long.
Anyway, hope y’all (Texas term) have a great winter!
CUAgain (with waaaayyyy too much caffeine this morning),
Insert tongue firmly in cheek…
!!!NOT THAT CHEEK!!! (Sheesh!)
Well, daytime highs are predicted to fall below 90 degrees this weekend so it is time to start thinking about winterizing The Dragon. Already I have had to break out the leather jacket several mornings (I go into work at 4:30am) as the morning lows were in the 60’s. One morning we even hit 58 degrees!
The national organization of orthopedic surgeons has polled all its former knee surgery patients and is predicting a severe and wetter then usual winter for our area this year. Based on this we fully expect our winter to last 6 or 7 days this season instead of the usual 3 or 4 days.
Anyway we have tentatively scheduled our winter for February 14th through the 21st. Now I am a die-hard rider, but I will not (usually) ride in icy conditions, so I am expecting to have to drive “Big Iron” (the 400hp V-10 4x4 Dodge) for at least 5 days (jheez, I wonder where in the heck I keep the keys to that thing?). I wonder if it even runs? (I understand you are supposed to start those cage thingys at least once a year, but I have really been busy).
The Valkyrie has never sat that long, so I figure I have to winterize her. I mean, 5 days without riding is a LONG time…has anybody ever done this? 5 days?
So what do I need to do for that long of a layup?
Drain the battery juice?
Varnish the inside of the exhaust system (prevents rust)?
Change the tire oil? I am figuring on using Penztellaroil (modified hybrid natural synthetic) in my Avolop (front) and QuakerCastor (hybrid modified synthetic natural) in the Dunvon (rear). (the BridgeYear tires I picked up on clearance are still hanging on the garage wall).
Change the rear shock air? (Drilling and tapping the holes to get it out is a pain), and just what brand of air do I top them off with?
One forum suggested taking the wheels off and hanging the bike upside down from the ceiling to avoid front end frame sag. (and we all know how embarrassing that “front end frame sag” can be right?)
I also thought of cleaning all the gaskets, re-knurling all the clutch plates, and reversing the alternator (to even out the wear on those electrons of course!), but cannot find any good instructions on those procedures. (I guess not many people have had to put their bike up for 5 whole days!)
Oh, and I nearly forgot rotating all the light bulbs, but that does not take long.
Anyway, hope y’all (Texas term) have a great winter!
CUAgain (with waaaayyyy too much caffeine this morning),
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