Shut down for the winter

[Crazcnuk]

It's kind of awkward to haul the battery out to start it. You could use one of those booster chargers, I suppose, but I don't think starting the bike is really necessary for the span of a few months.

Once I take the battery out, I don't start it again unless there is a really warm snap (above 0C)

It's amazing, but in Apr-Sept, Oct 5C is FREEING. In Nov-Feb, 5C is gorgeous!

I assume out gas is a bit different, for our climate, as people from the warmer climes seem to have a lot more trouble with letting vehicles sit with gas in them. Either that or gas doesn't evaporate as badly in cold weather.

[datter]

^ I don't think it will be emotionally possible for me to let her sit out there unstarted for any longer than a week.

[Crazcnuk]

If you keep the battery charged, you can leave it in the bike. It will only freeze if it goes dead.

I take it out, because it can sit for 3-4 months some years.

[stoked]

When I put mine away for its 2 to 3 weeks of winter storage, I just start it up every few days with the garage door open. Man I've got to move further south. Those 2 to 3 weeks of snow or ice are a killer.

[lsippell]

I rebuilt several motorcycles in our living room, even after I built a shop (my wife has been real understanding and helpful over the years), But she drew the line when I wanted to take the patio doors down and bring a ski boat in so I could paint under airconditining!!

Louis

[Sandy H]

shut down for the winter

Yes I am going to bring the battery inside and put it on a piece of wood. going to start it up or take it out once a month.
thanks for the advice for the sheet over the bike.
Did some one say block the exhaust as well?

[malber]

Re: shut down for the winter

Originally posted by Sandy H
Yes I am going to bring the battery inside and put it on a piece of wood. going to start it up or take it out once a month.
thanks for the advice for the sheet over the bike.
Did some one say block the exhaust as well?

If you're going to store the battery, it's not a good idea to take it out to the bike and start it every month. Starting puts the most strain on a battery and while it may not kill it, frequent starting without a charging period will shorten the battery's life. And sitting and idling is not sufficient to charge the battery; you have to get up to standard riding RPMs for over an hour to do that. You can leave it in the bike as the freezing point of the acid is much lower than water and cold is actually better for the battery than the warmth of being inside. If you do bring it inside, put it on a trickle charger.

You want to block the exhaust not so much for moisture because the winter months are actually the driest if you live anywhere that snows. No, you do this to keep out the critters that are looking for a dry place to hibernate!

[Erik the Red]

holes.... seal 'em up

Yup, you ought to (IMO)
1. take one or two of those little desiccator packages you get with a new pair of shoes, coat, whatever, and set it at the end of the muffler
2. take a plastic bag and wrap the muffler end with it. Secure it with duct tape (desiccator is on the inside)
3. take another plastic bag wrap the air intake, and secure w/ duct tape.

#1 absorbs moisture that may otherwise rust out the inside of the system that's not coated in oil (i.e. exhaust). #2 and 3 are because mice like to make homes in snug places, and they're friggin' everywhere! Make that bike's innards as inaccessible to those little buggers as possible. Mice are also another reason to keep the seat indoors.


-And of course, Malber is a faster typer than I am!!

[snowdog51]

store

don't store your bike ride it
i teach snowboarding in the winter alot of
days i ride my xs to the hill since it hardlly
snows any more doesn't get cold much if you have a fairing it's not bad at all toe warmers and hand warmers work good.
if you guys are ever in st.paul,mn. look me
up i will take you snowboarding it's just like riding a motorcycle. i hope this is not
xsive. as ever bill

[81xsproject]

I love my battery tender. Got it from Northern Tool for $40. A little more than some but has some gimmick feature called 'desulphitization' and I though 'eh, why not.' Plug it in, leave it, the end. Has a nice little plug in that stays on the bike and another with jumper ends. In the winter I string all the bikes together and it maintenances all 3 batteries at the same time.

Snowdog, you guys hooky-bob out there?

Hooky-bob=snowy road + 4x4 + ski rope + snowboarder= tons of fun

[Crazcnuk]

Yes, the only reason to take the battery out, is that most older vehicles always draw a tiny amount of power, and at some point during the winter it's dead enough to freeze.

If you keep the battery charged, it can stay in the bike all winter. I leave the battery in the Monte Carlo all winter, I just unhook the negative cable.

I have had the odd bike battery go dead and freeze, though, even though I unhooked it, so, since it's so easy to do, I bring it inside.

You always have to watch, though, as many newer vehicles have clocks, and other electronics that draw power all the time and will run a batter down if left hooked up. For the Monte it's the security system.

[malber]

Originally posted by Crazcnuk
Yes, the only reason to take the battery out, is that most older vehicles always draw a tiny amount of power, and at some point during the winter it's dead enough to freeze.

Heh, yeah I read the location as Toronto after I posted. I suppose some parts of Canada probably get cold enough to freeze a fully charged battery. But I figure Toronto is south enough that the weather is similar to here.

[randy]

I am sure there is a procedure for putting the lady away for the winter

Sure, two shots of Jack Daniels and an uppercut to the jaw

[Crazcnuk]

My Uncle and Aunt were coming home, after xmas one year, and froze thier battery, while driving down the highway!

Of course, it was partially because it was -48C (-70+ with windchill) and the design of the car put the battery in direct contact with the air coming through the grille.

After getting a tow, putting a new battery and blocking off the air entrance, they were merrily on thier way again.