winter storage

[Peckerwood]

Unfortunately, it's necessary to put my bike in "winter storage" for a couple of months here. I always store it in my heated basement. I recently read in MC Consumer News that it's not a good idea to store a bike with a tank of gas in it, even with stabilizer, due to the poor quality of today's gasoline. I've also always felt that it's not a good idea to store a 3 1/2 gallon "gas bomb" five feet away from my furnace. However, a mechanic recently told me that it's also not good to store a bike with an empty tank and carb. Just wondering how everybody else does it.

 

[PA Chopper]

I've always filled the tank to the top to keep out condensation that comes from varying temps in the winter months...and drain the carb. I have the bikes stored in an unheated garage so they are subjected to the temp fluctuations. If stored in a heated garage it maybe a benefit to get the crappy gas sold these days out of the tank and carb. I have heard stories about the ethanol destroyed lines and gaskets so I'll be curious to hear other responses.

 

[Mad Dog]

Fill the tank, add Stabil or some swear by Sea Foam (Gas Man). Add couple ounces of Isopropyl Alcohol. Take for short ride.
I have done this for years and never had a problem.
I store in an unheated garage in NY.:2thumbs:
In the spring if you are worried about octane deterioration just drain the tank and refill.

 

[Th3InfamousI]

I know my father who lives in massachusetts has had harleys his whole life and hes never once done shit, not even a tender. Bikes in an unheated garage. Bikes always need batt charged in the spring but they always fire up.

Dont advocate his philosphy, but just figured that I would mention it. I wouldn't get too worked up about how you store it. Someone else's way they will tell you is always better. Opinions are like assholes everyones got one.

 

[Knuckles]

Ride year-round then you don't have to worry about these things!!!

 

[BWG56]

Mine sits in the garage set at 55 deg's no additives or stabil and maybe 3/4 tank. Never had a problem for the past 20 yrs.

 

[BillV64117]

The Chopper sits in the living room over the winter while the Vintage Light is in the office. I'll put a battery tender on them too.

 

[Moespeeds]

Battery tender, sea foam in the tank, full tank of gas. Leaving a gas tank empty for any period of time will promote rust and or dry out the liner. I've read that a mostly empty tank is a bigger explosion hazard than a full tank, but if you google it you get lots of contradicting info. I've also heard that emptying the carb is bad for the float. I leave my Road Star in storage in AZ every year from Dec to April and all I do is add half a can of sea foam to a full tank of gas, run it for a bit, then shut off the gas and disconnect the battery. Always fires up in the spring and I ride off that tank of gas with no issues. When I used to race, I did the same for my race bike which sat outside in an enclosed trailer all winter in NJ, and again, never an issue.

 

[BigDogBro1]

Battery tender, sea foam in the tank, full tank of gas. Leaving a gas tank empty for any period of time will promote rust and or dry out the liner. I've read that a mostly empty tank is a bigger explosion hazard than a full tank, but if you google it you get lots of contradicting info. I've also heard that emptying the carb is bad for the float. I leave my Road Star in storage in AZ every year from Dec to April and all I do is add half a can of sea foam to a full tank of gas, run it for a bit, then shut off the gas and disconnect the battery. Always fires up in the spring and I ride off that tank of gas with no issues. When I used to race, I did the same for my race bike which sat outside in an enclosed trailer all winter in NJ, and again, never an issue.

You got my vote.....Bro2 and I have the bikes garaged for the winter and have maintenance to do on both. Have a great Thanksgiving everyone.

 

[erldawg]

Full tank w/ stabilizer
Put in the bubble in an unheat space.....

 

[BBChopper]

Winter Storage,
Jim Beam for me, 92 octane for the Dog once a week!!!:2thumbs:

 

[DRBarnhart]

Fresh oil change, full tank of gas, and take the battery in the house to sit on the trickle charger. Never had a problem with Harley's or the Dog in over 30 years of Penna or Ohio winters... :2thumbs:

Dennis

 

[Moespeeds]

Oh yeah a fresh oil change is important. I read somewhere that used oil holds moisture and can become acidic if it sits too long?

 

[DRBarnhart]

Oh yeah a fresh oil change is important. I read somewhere that used oil holds moisture and can become acidic if it sits too long?

The combustion byproducts that used motor oil contains is even harder on the metal in a hibernating engine than the moisture is! :down:

Dennis

 

[07bigdog]

Full tank, stabalizer, fresh oil, fog the cylinders and remove the battery. Leave bike an inch off of the ground on bike stand and throw on bike cover. It gets over -40 here and the winters are long.

 

[Brew]

I ride year round, never winterize...

 

[Chopper Dave]

I still have a little while longer before I put mine up for the winter...I am going for a ride next week again

I do the same as Gas Man...I top off my tank so its full...add around 5-6 oz. of SeaFoam(they say 1 oz. per gallon..so I go a little more) take about a 8-10 mile ride and make sure the SeaFoam is run through the carb good...then I put the bike up on my bike jack...and always keep it plugged in to the tender.
I do not run my gas out of my carb...some people do...they shut off their petcock and run their bike until it runs out of gas...I don't do that...I shut the bike off and turn my petcock to off...I have never had a problem in the spring when it comes to firing the bike up and taking my first ride of the year...I also cover with a light sheet...

 

[BOBE]

Old bed sheets or thin blankets are perfect covers for my bikes. I use stabilizer, full tank and tender. never have a problem.

 

[mymastiff]

Move to Florida, no need to worry about any of those things.

 

[toodie]

Why don't you clean that thing up this year while it is in storage:roll:

I still have a little while longer before I put mine up for the winter...I am going for a ride next week again

I do the same as Gas Man...I top off my tank so its full...add around 5-6 oz. of SeaFoam(they say 1 oz. per gallon..so I go a little more) take about a 8-10 mile ride and make sure the SeaFoam is run through the carb good...then I put the bike up on my bike jack...and always keep it plugged in to the tender.
I do not run my gas out of my carb...some people do...they shut off their petcock and run their bike until it runs out of gas...I don't do that...I shut the bike off and turn my petcock to off...I have never had a problem in the spring when it comes to firing the bike up and taking my first ride of the year...I also cover with a light sheet...