Content

• Steps
• Tips

For many motorcycle owners, autumn means the imminent end of the season, which means maintenance before conservation. During this time, other lucky ones who live in a warm climate zone can ride a motorcycle all year round. If you are not part of this lucky circle, it will be very useful for you to know how to prepare your motorcycle for conservation. This article outlines the steps you can follow to get your bike well prepared for winter, so you can start the next season without any hassle.

Steps

1. 1 Collect all the tools you need. You will need: clean rags, a spark plug wrench, new engine oil, a new oil filter, an oiler to run the oil into the cylinders, chain lubricant if you have a chain drive, a fuel stabilizer, a WD-40 can, a motorcycle cover, kitchen wrap , rubber bands, rubber gloves, car wax. And most importantly, this is the place where you are going to leave the motorcycle for the winter. Avoid proximity to moisture and chemical vapors. A dry heated garage would be ideal.
2. 2 Wash your motorcycle thoroughly. Use a detergent. Remove road dust and insects from the motorcycle to protect the paintwork. Try not to pour water into the muffler pipe. If the insides of the muffler get wet and do not dry out in a short time, metal inside the muffler will start to rot. Also, moisture should be avoided on the air filter. If the filter is wet, air will not pass through it well and it will be difficult to start the motorcycle. Dry the motorcycle thoroughly with a suede cloth. Polish all metal parts with a special polish. Finally, apply car wax to all painted parts. Clean the chain. Coat all metal parts with WD-40 and lubricate the chain.
3. 3 Add fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank. Fill up a full tank of gasoline. When the fuel stands for a long time, volatile substances evaporate from it, and oily and sticky components remain in the sediment, they can clog the fuel system. Start the engine to allow the stabilized fuel to enter the carburetor, then turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
4. 4 If your motorcycle has a carburetor engine, drain the float chamber. Disconnect the fuel line and drain the fuel from the carburetor. Read the instructions to find out where the drain bolts are. If your motorcycle has an injection engine, then you have nothing to drain.
5. 5 When the engine has cooled down, you can start changing the oil and filter. During long-term storage, changes occur in the engine oil. Old oil can be acidic and cause wear and tear on engine parts.
6. 6 Using an oil can, apply a little oil to the front fork legs. Sit on the motorcycle and swing it to spread the oil over your legs and into the fork. Thus, you will protect oil seals and other rubber parts from drying out, and your feet from corrosion.
7. 7 Disconnect the high voltage wires and carefully remove the spark plugs. Using an oiler, pour some oil into the cylinders. Pour about one cubic centimeter of oil into each cylinder. Disconnect the high-voltage wires completely, and then crank the engine with the starter so that the oil spreads over the cylinders. Keep your head so that the oil from the candle holes does not get on your face. Clean the candles and put them back. Install high voltage wires.
8. 8 It is a good idea to remove the battery. Some batteries require charging with a smart charger every 4 weeks.Sulfate deposits on the battery plates during long-term storage can damage it. A thin layer of Vaseline on the terminals can prevent corrosion. These procedures will help you start your motorcycle easily in the spring and avoid the cost of a new battery.
9. 9 If your motorcycle has a liquid cooling system, check the antifreeze level. Drain old antifreeze, flush the system and refill with new ones if necessary. Antifreeze must be changed every 2 years. Do not leave the motorcycle over the winter with a low level of antifreeze in the system, this will lead to corrosion. Also check the levels of all other fluids.
10. 10 Apply grease to cables. Lubricate shock absorbers and pivots. Lubricate the crankshaft if you have this type of drive. Clean air and fuel filters. Check pad wear. Replace consumables on your motorcycle.
11. 11 Clean and apply a protectant to all leather parts.
12. 12 If the garage floor is concrete, it is recommended to place the motorcycle on a thick carpet or plywood sheet. They will protect the motorcycle from moisture. Another helpful tip is to store the motorcycle in this position with all the weight off the wheels. Place the motorcycle on a wooden trestle and use the center stand. Do not place your motorcycle near devices that emit ozone: refrigerators, electric motors, air conditioners. Ozone is very damaging to rubber.
13. 13 Dampen a rag with high quality engine oil and use it to apply a thin coat of oil to all metal parts. Spray some WD40 into the exhaust pipe. Cover the exhaust pipe opening and air intake with kitchen wrap and rubber bands. You can cover all drain hoses and holes with plastic tape. This will ensure that no insects or animals make their winter home in your motorcycle.
14. 14 After conservation, you should avoid starting the engine for short periods of time, as the oil that has been in the engine all winter will contain a lot of moisture.

Tips

• These simple steps will keep your motorcycle from aging during months of inactivity. After winter, when the weather is good again, just peel off the film, wash the motorcycle, install the battery, pump up the wheels and move out. Lucky road!