| Author | Message | ||
     Don668 |
I have a few questions about storing my XB9. Its in my garage and I generally start it every two weeks and run it until its hot. (today went for a ride... not too bad here in souther ontario!) Should I put in Sta-bil, disconnect the ground on the battery? Again I tend to start it during the winter. Thanks Don | ||
| Percyco |
Sta-bil and battery tender is what I do with my XB9s and H-D . | ||
| Ducxl |
And don't bother starting it.Condensation will surely build up.Disconnecting the battery&using a tender isn't a bad idea. | ||
| Tleighbell |
Ducxl is right. Running the engine creates moisture which will cause corrosion. You have to run it far/long enough to get the oil HOT enough to evaporate all that moisture. In this weather it is hard to heat the oil up at all. I have resited the temptation to take my bike out lately for this reason. Also, it just seems unnatural to ride in january. | ||
| Slickster |
Stabil in fuel run long enough to get through to injectors. Keep a Battery Tender or equivalent battery maintainer on battery. I use quick connect to hook up whenever I am not riding much. Fresh engine oil and resist the temptation to start engine for non riding warm-up as the engine and exhaust will not get hot enough to burn off condensation. Slick | ||
| Xl1200r |
Yup... moisture is the enemy. I usually take my bike out for a good ride - 30 minutes or so, and gas up right before I get back home, and add some Stabil at the gas station. By the time I get home it's worked its way through the fuel system. Then I change the oil right away, run the bike for a minute to make sure the oil gets through the entire engines and tank, and then shut it down and not start it again until riding season in the spring. I don't disconnect the battery at all, just put a tender on it. | ||
| Midknyte |
Grab a sheet of plywood to park the bike on to help protect your tires from lye that leeches out of your cement floor. | ||
| Starter |
Bare minimum of fuel. You don't have to fill these as there is no chance of the tank rusting out. Drop out oil (both). Fill cases with cheap oil, and fill swingarm. Run for a couple of minutes to flush the system. Top up gearbox with as much as possible (optional for harsh environments). Lift Front and rear tyres and deflate a to around 1/2 pressure. Spray a LITTLE WD40 on wheel bearing housings, bear metal and those two hex bolts that rust near the RHS hand controls  . You can spray the fork tubes too if you remember to wipe them come spring. Disconnect battery and put in cupboard inside, or if your lucky leave it connected and use a battery tender. A good clean of the body work with plastic glaze is also not a bad thing. Then LEAVE IT ALONE till your ready to ride. Firstly replace the cheap oil with your preferred brand, wipe the forks, and bearing cases and inflate the tyres, charge battery. Fill with fuel and ride. | ||
| Nsbuell |
"it just seems unnatural to ride in january" That's crazy talk...I got out for a ride yesterday, and believe me, you don't get that often in January in Nova Scotia...you've got to enjoy them while you can! Although this is two years in a row I've taken a good long ride (without freezing my @$# off) in January. | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
That crazy talk is going on in New England also. Got to ride a few hours yesterday which is just silly around here normally. But breaking temps in the 50's had us getting together for some hot laps in the local twisties! I can not get over this f'n weather! Normally it is in the 20-30's with snow/sleet/rain etc. etc. I should vote in a "Mantown Rule" for Global Warming! | ||
| Cmm213 |
Starter I have always filled my tank to the top. I know the frame is aluminum but the inside of the tank can still sweat when the temps go up and down, leaving lots of room for build up of water and moister. Just my thoughts on the matter. I also fog the cylinders and take my good iridium plugs out and put is some old fouled ones. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I've said this before and people think I'm joking, but if you store your bike for any length of time, put a few mouse traps around it. I'd never let myself be outwitted by a mouse... ... again. | ||
| Midknyte |
all of the above, and then I usually run some Heet in the tank once I've burned thru two fills in the spring | ||
| Xl1200r |
Yes... mice can cause havock. You can use moustraps, or just put a little gasoline on a rag and stick it in the muffler and air intake hole - that will keep them from getting in there. | ||
| Cmm213 |
Burning mouse turds stink come spring  | ||
| Don668 |
Thanks for the help! I'll be getting a Battery Tender on Saturday. Doubt I'll be riding anymore till spring. Don | ||
| Kowpow225 |
AWWWGHHH! Don't say that Don. Bad ju ju! See look. That's better.  This time of year always takes a little wind out of my sails. I need to move south soon. |
