First Winter Storage

LOL! mine just gets the battery taken out when its in the shed over winter, and in spring gets kicked over enough to get some positive oil pressure and then started...first kick last year, this year its in the house over winter to avoid some of the alloy rot that occurs through temperature fluctuation causing condensation, but then its a proper old bike.

 

Just don't start the bike......there's water in the crankcase, and if you didn't run it recently it's still there, and if under 32 f, then now it's turned to ice........not good for engines.......but hey it's your bike, not mine.

 

LOL! there will always be water/water vapor in any engines crankcase, all be it a very small amount, its a by product of the heat cycle and combustion process, generally once any engine reaches around 100c it will be eliminated, but as soon as it cools again there will be a little more, the oil itself helps protect form any corrosion and also binds the resulting acid compounds to stop serious corrosion of alloys and steels, but it will always be there.

 

I've had the following experience with condensation in tropical QLD Australia, In 1983 I had a 1980 Suzuki GSX 750, I rode it most days all year round ! On my Christmas holidays I rode it across Australia from Brisbane to Geraldton WA, I topped up engine oil and did some fairly serious pre run checks. On the second morning my pre start up checks showed very low oil level in the engine/gearbox ! Topped it up and was fine for remaining three days of the trip ! The humidity had contaminated / combined with the engine oils, doing 800/900 plus klms in 36°c plus dry inland NSW had COOKED off these contaminants !! And left oil level low ! It took 200 to 300 ml to top up.
So I think I would have to agree with all those who recommended park it up and leave it on a battery optimizer until you next want to ride be it early spring or summer ! As I could only see oil's being contaminated with water/condensation if started up mid winter in cold damp conditions ! Burning off the water will take quite a bit of running , unloaded with no 'work effort' I can't see it clearing out .

 

Filled up the tank full
cleaned and lubed the chain
thick rubber mats under the tires
Battery removed and left on charger
Peppermint oil soaked in cotton wool in a tin... in and around the bike
Heavy duty blanket and dust cover
Exhaust bung

Mid-March.....fire it up....service oil & Filter and ride on

 

Anti critter strategy

Last winter mice got under the cover and gave it a good workout on my heated grips and GPS wiring. Adapted the Peppermint technic and no more mice. So I'm under the assumption it works

 

Get one of those small tins. Drench cotton wool with proper Peppermint oil. Leave one tin under your seat and leave another on the side cowling. All the best buddy

 

dryer sheets work too til you can get the peppermint oil and cotton together.......Ole lady got did the same thing with insects around the flat.