"How To Winterize Your Bike".
If you prefer to prep and store your own motorcycle for the winter season. Then here are some necessary steps to help you properly winterize and store your Harley-Davidson® motorcycles for the cold winter months ahead. By following these steps you can help insure that you motorcycle will be in prime operating condition when the time comes to hit the road in the spring.
BASIC DETAILS YOU NEED TO KNOW
So, if you are technically inclined, have no problems working with a wrench, have the right tools and a dry, indoor storage area and want to take the responsibility of winterizing your own motorcycle then here are the essential steps.
1. Have the right tools and supplies to do the job. Having the proper tools and products to winterize a motorcycle is necessary. Taking short cuts now can be very costly next spring. (IF you do need any tools check out www.adventureharley.com)
3. Change engine oil and filter, as well as the transmission
4. Lubricate and adjust clutch and throttle cables. Follow the instructions and procedures as outlined in the owner’s or service manual. Harley ® Lube, P/N 94968-09, is perfect for lubricating clutch and throttle cables. The handy needle dispenser allows for precision application.
5. Make sure there are no oil leaks and that the stabilized fuel has circulated throughout the fuel system. Start and run the motorcycle. Keep it running long enough to ensure there are no oil leaks and that the stabilized fuel has circulated throughout the fuel system, and then turn off the motorcycle.
6. Thoroughly wash and clean the motorcycle. Cleaning bike surfaces of dirt, insect splatter and caked-on road grime will prevent damage to the finish over a storage
period. The Harley® Bike Wash Kit, P/N 93600056, includes all the essentials required to
thoroughly clean a motorcycle – Sunwash® Bike Soap, Bug Remover spray, Wash Mitt, Bug Eater Sponge, Synthetic Drying Chamois and a Microfiber Detailing Cloth.
7. Detail and wax the motorcycle. Detailing and waxing is an important step in protecting motorcycle surfaces over the cold winter months. The Harley ® Detail & Protect Kit, P/N 93600057A, has everything you need to protect painted and chrome-plated surfaces such as Glaze™ Poly Sealant, Gloss Detailer, Chrome Clean & Shine and a microfiber detailing cloth, soft cloths, and detailing swabs for applying the products.
8. Choose a clean, dry location in a garage or storage area that is out of direct sunlight. Stored motorcycles should be kept out of direct sunlight to prevent UV rays from fading bike surfaces. They should not be stored near corrosive elements such as pool chemicals, fertilizer and salt, or near freezers, electric heaters or furnaces, which emit gasses that can deteriorate rubber components. The Cruiser Cradle Wheel Chock, P/N 92900001, will keep the bike upright for efficient storage.
9. Properly store the battery. Disconnect, remove, check and clean the battery, then connect it to a battery tender to keep it operational over the long winter months of
inactivity. A product such as the 750mA Supersmart ® Battery Tender, P/N 66000038, plugs into a standard AC outlet and can stay connected throughout the entire storage period. It’s better than a trickle charger, because the “smart” feature turns itself on and off as needed, so the battery never overcharges. Other options include the 1.25 Amp Weather-Resistant Battery Charger, P/N 66000033, and the 5.0 Amp Weather-Resistant Battery Charger, P/N 66000041.
10. Lock and secure the motorcycle. Keeping a motorcycle locked and secured while in storage provides you with peace of mind. Harley-Davidson® has an extensive line of security products to safeguard your investments, including cable, shackle and chain locks and kits for motorcycles along with locks for helmets, windshields, saddlebags and detachables.
11. Cover the motorcycle. A motorcycle should always be covered during storage. Be sure to use one of the Harley-Davidson® “breathable” indoor covers, such as the Premium Indoor Motorcycle Cover. These covers allow condensation and moisture to escape in order to prevent corrosion. Motorcycle cover fitments vary by model. Refer to the 2014 Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories catalog for appropriate part numbers. And, what about detachable accessories? The Detach Depot Wall Rack, P/N 93100005, provides versatile, secure, off-the-floor storage for detachable accessories – saving valuable shelf and
floor space.
12. Don’t start the motorcycle until it’s time to ride in the spring. The motorcycle has been properly winterized, so there is no need to start it up until the spring riding season.
Hope these tips were helpful to you. Here are some new items that arrived this week. Some are limited supply! They are all made by Stamper for Harley-Davidson® and are high quality pieces.
Brenda