Winter storage

[billywingnut]

I would be interested to know what members do to store there 400/4 over winter. I stop riding as soon as the gritters come out.
Do you drain the oil and remove the battery after coating brightwork with an oily rag or just throw a cover over it.

[Nurse Julie]

Remove battery, oily rag wipe down, a bit of redex in the tank if still have fuel in it. Starts up 1st time every spring on last years fuel.
Edit...should have mentioned that if you are removing the tank for the storage, empty fuel and  swill some diesel around inside the tank to form an oily barrier. Empty diesel in spring, fill up with petrol and off you go.

[Green1]

I don't do anything other then turn fuel off and drain carbs and fill the tank with fuel. Making sure to leave room for expansion so not to overflow and damage your paint work.
Its not a bad idea to take the pipes off to clean them sometimes I get water out of them if I upend them.
When I come to restart them the fuel has normaly gone off so I dump that in the car and lawnmower then drive the car not the lawnmower to the petrol station. On  my return the 750 normally fires up fairly promptly the 550 normally starts just as I'm about to give up and runs on three for a few seconds. My Aprilia will run all year as long as its been used at least once every few weeks otherwise its a real pig to start and the sprag clutch goes bang if I try with a weak battery. My Guzzi now fingers crossed works everytime I try it. Except this morning when it blew a fuse 

[Athame57]

To stop tyres getting flat spotted on cold concrete use something to keep them off it, a couple of wooden blocks under each, or if you can afford it  a carpet.

[mattsz]

Edit...should have mentioned that if you are removing the tank for the storage, empty fuel and  swill some diesel around inside the tank to form an oily barrier. Empty diesel in spring, fill up with petrol and off you go.

Would kerosene (pariffin) serve the same purpose?  I have a jug on hand.  I know they don't smell the same...

[Nurse Julie]

Edit...should have mentioned that if you are removing the tank for the storage, empty fuel and  swill some diesel around inside the tank to form an oily barrier. Empty diesel in spring, fill up with petrol and off you go.

Would kerosene (pariffin) serve the same purpose?  I have a jug on hand.  I know they don't smell the same...

Yes, Kerosene will be just fine. Anything will do as long as it has an oil content to it.

[Rob62]

I find that the bicycle protection aerosols are very good at keeping out the damp... just spray everywhere except brake discs... easily wipes off in the spring and leaves a nice shiny finish.... a bit of redex in the tank as Julie says... You could put a bit of 2T in there but would ideally need dumping next spring if you did... I tend to run mine up a few times through the winter but if you do you need to give them a thorough warm up otherwise you will just be filling the pipes with moisture... I've never used a dehumidifier in the garage, as some do, but its each to his own. Removing the battery is a good move too but I don't always...

[paul G]

This



And this you won't need anything else and it will start on the button next spring so you won't need to dump the fuel.



 

[Moorey]

I must say when all this ethanol business started i bought into it, But as time as gone on i have never had a problem with old fuel. All my bikes start no problem after not been used for a good while. My mower stays outside all year and the next spring it starts. My rotovator stood outside for two years the throttle cable had seized up yet still started on 2nd pull, chainsaws, strimmers and generators all start no problem on old fuel with no additives. I find it to be no problem to me.

[Rob62]

I find the same.... the only motor I have owned that gave problems with old fuel was a 2T Blata minimoto bought for my lad..... anything other than fresh fuel was a nightmare. My bikes always start easily in spring

[thegreatpan]

Thought I would buy some Redex,  which one is it you're using?

[Spitfire]

Nothing special for my two (CB750F1 and 650 Deauville) , in the garage on main stands, dust sheets in place and Opitmates connected up, they start first time when the weather clears, I do keep the petrol tanks topped up though.

Cheers

Dennis

[Rob62]

Thought I would buy some Redex,  which one is it you're using?

This one for me
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Redex-Petrol-System-Cleaner-500ml/dp/B003734FSA/ref=pd_sbs_263_t_0/260-9027605-1215669?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B003734FSA&pd_rd_r=c1ce43b3-f845-4438-90aa-6774e265fb22&pd_rd_w=qb5wi&pd_rd_wg=g6E7v&pf_rd_p=e44592b5-e56d-44c2-a4f9-dbdc09b29395&pf_rd_r=JGADYCYJR63RGB66QE5Z&psc=1&refRID=JGADYC

[philward]

I think they have that for £1.99 in B&M stores

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[adespin]

I use a Vac-Bag, every year around this time i wheel the bike into it and it stays there untill springtime, it's a bit of a faff and i need the help of her indoors but definitely worth the forty odd pounds. The bike is totaly isolated from any dampness that is always present in my garage in the winter.

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=11&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjjucGevcblAhUIT8AKHSkxAoAQFjAKegQIARAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vac-bag.co.uk%2Fmotorcycle-vac-bags.html&usg=AOvVaw2bv0wTsBqHtkNAyRKOeEQz