Winterizing recommendations ?

[gremlin]

OK .....  youse guyz in the southwest ....  No snide commentz pleaze !

Short of disassembly & packing in grease .....  What is the best way to pack away a UCE for winter ?

I'm planning on doing the following:

add stabil to the fuel & top it up.
replace the drive chain in spring.
change the oil twice with the cheapest stuff available.
ensure the cylinder is on compression stroke ( both valves closed )
shoot fogging goo into the cylinder.
shoot fogging goo into the primary case.
exterior wipe down with WD40.
covered with cotton canvas drop cloth.

The bike will be "barn stored" (unheated enclosed shed) in the Minnesota Metro area and forgotten until the snow melts.

Any professional advice ?  feedback ?  greatly appreciated !

[GA-DK]

No, no.  Put in good oil.  Top off fuel.  Drive a minimum of 15 miles to get engine up to temperature at least 3 times per week until spring.  GA-DK

[Ducati Scotty]

15 miles in a Minnesota winter?  Good luck!

The only thing I'd add to your prep are remove the battery and store it on a shelf, trickle charge when spring comes around.  And put it on the center stand to get most of he weight off the tires.

Scott

[hortoncode3]

I wouldn't get too anal retentive on weatherization...get it on it's center stand, lube the chain, change the oil (so it'll be ready to ride in the spring)and run the engine to operating temp, top off the tank and add fuel stabilizer, then shut it down and either pull the battery (my recommendation in a below zero climate, I bring mine inside) OR trickle charge it..
If an RE can't survive using these simple methods then we are ALL in trouble..

[gremlin]

No, no.  Put in good oil.  Top off fuel.  Drive a minimum of 15 miles to get engine up to temperature at least 3 times per week until spring.  GA-DK

I was thinking about investing in better armor & mounting studded lake tires ......  but, I don't think the MNdot would allow me to commute with it.   

[Maturin]

I guess the chrome needs a little extra attention. In addition  I use to replace the plug with an oily rag, another one goes into the tailpipe, after a good blow of WD40 . To avoid any rust in the engine´s interior it´s nice if you kick it through a couple of times every other week or so. Of course, battery out and tank filled up. That´s it.

[Ducati Scotty]

Rag in the exhaust and intake are good advice if it's really in a barn.  Keeps the critters from building nests in your engine.

Scott

[hortoncode3]

Actually I use a steel wool pad or an SOS pad..the mice will eat the rag.

[gremlin]

Actually I use a steel wool pad or an SOS pad..the mice will eat the rag.

See - now *THIS* is why I love this forum !

[Arizoni]

Yup.
When a mice sees a rag stuck in the tailpipe they shout, "Hey Maude.  This place comes pre- furnished with a nice new bed!"

With a steel wool or Brillo pad stuck in there they say, "What the hell is this?  Ain't no way I'm sleeping on THAT THING!"

[GlennF]

ACF50

[Ducati Scotty]

Thanks for the correction on rags vs. steel wool.  I'm a city boy, no mice in my garage so I just do it to minimize humidity.

Who am I kidding, I don't even winterize any more.  I used to but there's never more than two weeks in a row where I can't ride so there's no point.

Scott

[motomataya]

Last winter in Minneapolis I rode at least a couple times a month. The DOT uses massive amounts of salt around here so you don't want to ride a bike with any value. We will see if we get a real winter this year.

[gremlin]

............The DOT uses massive amounts of salt around here so you don't want to ride a bike with any value...........

So, do you recommend I buy another RE for winter use ?   

[GA-DK]

The ACF-50 is a very good idea.  Even here in Georgia.  GA-DK