When it comes to putting away your motorcycle from the harsh winter months, all that can be said to summarize it is: all good things must come to a “temporary” end. While it must be heart-breaking not to be able to ride your favorite vehicle for the next few months, but if your love for the machine is strong, then you would gladly take the trouble to store it for safety. After all, you do not want your favorite partner to get frost bites! Winterizing is essential for the bike, if you want it to look as attractive as ever, once the harsh months are over and there is spring in the air.
When you are contemplating to put away your bike for storage during winter, remember you have to devote at least one full day for getting it prepared. The following tips will help you to protect your bike during storage so that it is in ship-shape condition, when winter is over:
• While you lubricate all the moving parts, remember to change the oil too.
• Gasoline stabilizer must be added to the tank before the vehicle is put away in storage.
• Your bike must be thoroughly washed and dried (use a leaf drier for fast drying) before storage.
• The belt drivers must always be checked for possible wear and tear after each riding season and before you put away your bike.
• If you want to prevent moisture corroding your bike’s body during storage in winter months, keep all polished areas as well as the frame properly waxed.
• Use chrome polish or silicon lube to keep the chrome parts and rims clean and in shining condition.
• The drive chain should be adjusted and kept in lubricated state.
• The battery of the vehicle needs special attention when it is kept in storage. First, remove it and clean the terminals. Add fluids if necessary and keep it always ion a wooden plank, and never on a concrete platform.
• To prevent your exhaust pipes from gathering neighbor’s housecleaning dust, stuff some rug in it. But remember to take them off when you re-start your bike.
• Use a good quality motor cycle cover or a cotton bed cover to cover your bike when you are storing it away for the winter months.
• Oil dipstick, temperature gauge are some of the removable parts of your bike. Remove them and store them in a relatively warmer place.
• Keep a checklist ready, of all the parts that need to be re-checked or replaced before you take your bike on the road again, after winter is over.
Though these machines look strong and macho in their appearances, the truth of the matter is that they need tender loving care in reality, to run smoothly and provide hassle-free service to its owner for many years. While owners of bikes who live in warmer climates may decide to ignore these tips, but those living in Northeast or Northwestern mountains should pay heed to these tips if they want their bikes in top condition, after the cold harsh winter is over.
