Use lift during storage?

xtremek9

New Member
I just bought a new lift for the dog and was curious if it would be a good idea to keep the bike up off the ground for winter storage, what do you guys do. Thanks
 

Kdub

Active Member
I jack mine up and have 8 inch square wood blocks wrapped in carpet I set under the frame. I don't want my baby to come crashing down when the hydraulics give out during the winter. Yes it is good to get it off the ground though.
 

BWG56

Guru
I park mine on some heavy duty rubber horse mats from tractor supply all year long, Easy on the low profile tires.
 

oldmutt

Active Member
Up here is NJ I keep my bike on a lift late Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb and early Mar. It is supposed to keep the tires from getting flat spots. I do it every year and the first ride in Mar is smooth as glass.
 

Oscar Maldonado

Guru
Calendar Participant
I just bought a new lift for the dog and was curious if it would be a good idea to keep the bike up off the ground for winter storage, what do you guys do. Thanks
On a stand during the harsh cold and don't forget to keep your dog on life support when in storage.
 

KROGOTH

Active Member
Take battery out, place on battery tender and lift bike up. Then I place it in bike bubble. Spray all chrome with S100
 

FatDog

Well-Known Member
I yank the battery for the winter but never put it up on the lift for winter. I just park it on two big layers of carpet and never had an issue.

Unfortunately around here, winter can mean from as early as October to as long as May!!!!!!
Typically, it's November to some time in March.
 

nine lives

Active Member
You could put it on a lift or hang it from the celling if you want. It's best to have a bike in a climate controlled environment. The real problem is condensation and nasty things in the oil that cause corrosion in the engine. You should change the fluids before storage, put Stable in the tank and run it through the carb/injectors. I use the down time to do a tear down and service and check and repack all bearing, wiring, and fluids including fork oil, also always use a tender on the battery. I also try to get out at least once a month for a 30 mile or so ride, that depends on the outside temp. (below 30 not so fun) and how far I have the bike torn down. This year it looks like I'll be replacing my base gaskets, (Front gasket failing) maybe preformance up grades while the top end is off.
 

armad

Active Member
I always put my bikes up on blocks over the winter. Just an inch or so high off the floor. I use some pieces of 6x6 and maybe a 1x4 and it works quite well. I do support the front wheel slightly on the Big Dog. I don't think I would leave it on the lift though. It may come down unexpectedly.
 

nine lives

Active Member
Get some chaps, heavy leather jacket, gauntlet gloves, and ride year-round!
Have all that. Like I said, temp. gets down below 30, and take a long ride, that cold ass air hits that forehead, not ready to start thinkin about that yet. That ice, salt and snow shit doesn't help either. Besides, got do the preventive maintenance sometime.
 

Tim

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What kind of lift??? A table or the small scissor style? If it's a table, and there is a mechanical support that keeps it locked in place when the hydraulics are released, I don't see an issue.

Austin's winter is like 3-4 weeks long... year round riding essentially on my end. :cheers:
 
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