Getting colder up the northeast

Energy One

pumpdogs

Member
Its starting to get colder up here in the philly area. How often should I start my bike up to keep everything running correctly?
 

toodie

Active Member
Much more knowledgeable riders will chime in but keep it on a tender and if you start it I would take it out for a good ride until it reaches n.o.t.
 

Pops

Active Member
Much more knowledgeable riders will chime in but keep it on a tender and if you start it I would take it out for a good ride until it reaches n.o.t.
I agree. Unless you are going to go for a good ride after you start it you are better off leaving it on a tender and wake it up in the spring:)
 

woodbutcher

Mr. Old Fart member #145
Staff member
did you winterize it? (stabil, up on the jack, battery out and on a tender) if so, leave it alone. there should be a thread on it.
 

Fibersnake

Banjo Playing PsychoBilly
Keep it on a tender and when you get a chance and can safely do so (no snow/ice), layer up and go for a good cool winter ride as much as possible. If you do, make it more than a few min, like at least 30 at some real speed and not all stop and go to the local watering hole or 7-11 to get smokes or something.

Nothing beats riding it routinely to keep her going without problems.
 

pumpdogs

Member
I keep my bike on a tender at all times.So its better to take it on a decent ride then just starting it up in the garage?I am just worried once we get some snow all the salt will eat up my chrome.
 

Bmarchant

Active Member
Hey Pumpdogs,
I live in NH. The last two seasons now, I did what the guys on here said to do. They know what there talking about.

I put fuel stabi in the tank, took it for a small ride to get it into the carb, turned off the gas, and let it run dry. I cleaned it real good, and hooked the battery tender to it. First good riding day in April, I turn the gas on, unhook the tender, turn the key and hit the starter. Bike fires right up. I run that tank of gas out and change the plugs and oil. You should have no problems too.
 

Moespeeds

Well-Known Member
In my professional opinion, you should start it up long enough to come on our Philly bar hops. We do them most fri nights during the winter, as long as there is no ice.
 

K9Anniv

Well-Known Member
I would advise against starting/stopping a bike once it's in winter hibernation...too hard on the engine.
All the oil's drained down, leaving little in the upper end for lubrication and you could score your piston sleeves.
I did this very thing on a Harley years ago, thinking I was doing the 'right' thing!:bang::rant:

IF you do start it, you'll need to get the oil hot enough to burn any condensation out of it (like riding it 15-20 miles or so).

I'd top off tank, add Stabil or Seafoam and run for a few minutes after then shut 'er off, put a battery tender on it and say "Good Night Grace" until Spring.

Just my :zz2cents:
 

Thumper

Founding Member
Calendar Participant
Im not a fan of leaving the suspension hanging. I put down insulation and then carpet to rest on.
 

stryfox

Active Member
I'm just outside of Philly. I'm not putting the dog to bed for the winter until the salt hits the road. That is how I know I'm done for the season.
First winter with the dog but, I have always put stabilizer in the tank on my other bikes.
I plan on doing some work on the dog this winter so it will probably live on the jack with parts missing.
 

stryfox

Active Member
Ok I didn't make it untill the salt is out.
It's cold here so I put the dog on the jack and started taking it apart.
Going to do some paint and cosmetic changes.
Hoping to get a 585 cam for xmass.
 

what?

Active Member
was out this morning..........36 degrees and a slight wind. Bundled up pretty good but my fingers felt like they were going to fall off. Actually saw some snow flurries on my way home. I think my season is officially over. :down:

Unless we get one of those freak days where it gets in the 40's.
 

Ray

Well-Known Member
If a person is going to winterize the bike for the season and not ride at all while it is cold, would they be beter off starting it let it run a minute or two, then shut the gas off to the carb., and let it run itself out of gas. That way there is nothing in the carb to gum up. Then add the stabil to the gas, and wait till it gets warm again.

Oh, by the way Sears has their tenders on sale for $22.99 I just got another one, better than buying batterys.

Answering the earlier ? , maybe guessing a little too, but I would think the reason everyone takes the battery out of the scooter for the winter and puts it on the tender might be because of all the ECH / electrical issues, and like "Don't take any chances!!!!!"

Ray
 
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pumpdogs

Member
I took my last ride on sat,filled the tank and used stabil.The bike will be on a tender the rest of the winter as we had our first snowfall on thurs.
How depressing I hate fucking winter,you guys down south don't know how lucky you are.
 
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