MOTORCYCLE STORAGE TIPS

1. ENGINE OIL AND FILTER SHOULD BE CHANGED BEFORE THE MOTORCYCLE IS STORED FOR THE WINTER. FLUIDS FOR OTHER SYSTEMS SUCH AS THE BRAKES AND ENGINE COOLANT SHOULD ALSO BE CHANGED IF THEY ARE DIRTY OR OLDER THAN 2 YEARS.
2. TIRES SHOULD BE INFLATED TO PROPER PRESSURES AND BE CHECKED EVERY WEEK AND REINFLATED AS NEEDED.  CARPETING OR PLYWOOD UNDER THE TIRES WORKS WELL TO HELP STOP MOISTURE PENETRATION IF THE BIKE IS STORED IN A CONCRETE FLOOR GARAGE.
3. THE MOTORCYCLE SHOULD BE WASHED WITH SOAP AND WATER AND THE PAINTED AND CHROME SURFACES WAXED WITH A HIGH QUALITY WAX BEFORE STORAGE. PERIODIC CLEANING AFTER THAT CAN BE DONE WITH A MICRO-FIBER CLOTH AND A HIGH QUALITY SPRAY QUICK DETAILER TYPE PRODUCT.
4. THE FUEL TANK SHOULD BE FILLED AND A HIGH QUALITY FUEL STABILIZER SHOULD BE USED. THE FUEL STABILIZER USED SHOULD BE APPROVED FOR USE WITH ETHANOL BLENDED FUEL. IF THE BIKE IS EQUIPPED WITH A FUEL VALVE IT SHOULD BE TURNED OFF AND THE BIKE RUN UNTIL IT RUNS OUT OF FUEL.
5. DURING THE WINTER THE BIKE SHOULD NOT BE STARTED AND RUN FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME IN THE GARAGE AS THIS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO HARD STARTING PROBLEMS OR THE FOULING OF SPARK PLUGS. IF YOU ARE GOING TO START THE BIKE TAKE IT OUT ON A 15 TO 30 MINUTE RIDE SO THAT IT HAS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO REACH OPERATING TEMPERATURE.
6. BATTERIES SHOULD BE HOOKED UP TO A SMART TYPE CHARGER (I.E.  BATTERY TENDER) AND LEFT SO THAT THEY ARE KEPT FULLY CHARGED. THIS CAN BE DONE WITH THE BATTERY LEFT IN THE BIKE OR THE BATTERY REMOVED FROM THE BIKE. BATTERIES SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO FREEZE AS THIS WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY DESTROY THE BATTERY.
7. DRIVE CHAINS SHOULD BE THROUGHLY CLEANED AND  LUBRICATED WITH A HIGH QUALITY CHAIN LUBRICANT THAT IS APPROVED FOR USE WITH THE TYPE OF CHAIN THAT IS ON YOUR BIKE. THE CHAIN SHOULD BE CLEANED WITH A MILD DEGREASER MADE FOR CLEANING CHAINS. COMPOUNDS SUCH AS GASOLINE, KEROSENE OR OTHER FUELS SHOULD NOT BE USED BECAUSE THE ADDITIVES FOUND IN THOSE COMPOUNDS CAN DAMAGE RUBBER O-RINGS OR X-RINGS WHICH MOST CHAINS UTILIZE. CHAINS SHOULD BE CLEANED AND LUBRICATED TO AVOID THE CHAIN RUSTING AND THE LINKS BECOMING SEIZED.
8. CONTROL CABLES AND HANDLES SHOULD BE LUBRICATED AND INSPECTED FOR WEAR OR CABLES FRAYING. IF THESE CONDITIONS ARE NOTED THE CABLE SHOULD BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY.

 IF THESE BASIC STORAGE TIPS ARE USED IT WILL BE EASY TO GET YOUR BIKE TO RUN ON THAT ODD NICE WINTER DAY AND IT WILL ALSO HELP KEEP PROBLEMS TO A MINIMUM WHEN THE SPRINGTIME FINALLY ARRIVES. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT WINTER STORAGE, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY OF THE STAFF HERE AT VALLEY CYCLE CENTER. WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU GET THE MOST ENJOYMENT OUT OF YOUR MOTORCYCLE AND MAKING SURE IT RUNS WELL IS A GREAT PLACE TO START.