Winterizing Firebolt

[bronjeremy]

Ok i searched the whole forum and havent found anything about winterizeing the bike... i live in wisconsin so it kinda is a must..... i have been a vehicle mechanic for 5 years and this is my first bike i have ever owned... but keeping the tires off the ground...and taking the batter out or putting a tender on it... and putting a full tank of gas befere i put it away is a must but anything special/hints/tips i should know would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks
Jeremy

 

[theoctopus]

When I've had to winterize my motorcycles in the past, I pull the bike up off the ground, fill the tank, put the bad boy on a tender, disconnect my alarm system, and cover it with a light breathable sheet. Seems to make the motorcycle happy, and I've never had any problem turning the bike over a few months later.

 

[dave_xb12r]

link

 

[bolt08]

Don't know how long your bike will sit, but you may want to research gas and octane loss over time. I do not have anything concrete to back this up but I recall a study being done where pump gas (regardless of initial octane rating) can lose up to 25% of octane in like 60 days or something. May make for a rough ride burning a full tank out??

 

[bttrfngrz]

definitely fill your tank and put fuel stabilizer(it will help with octane loss) in as a start. i personally start by pulling my battery out and setting it on wood not concrete. clean the bike. top off fluids. lube clutch cable, lube joints, cover it, and let my girl hybernate.

 

[brightbuell]

What lube do you use for clutch cable ETC?[smirk]

 

[Macbuell]

Why fill fuel? I was planning on filling with brand new gas in the spring before starting her up. Is this wrong?

 

[bttrfngrz]

no you need to top off. with slight temperature changes, gas expands and contracts, leaving condensation on the empty space which will rust.

this is a costly fix if advanced far enough on the three occasions i have fixed this at the shop, all ended up costing the customer more then 500.00 so topping it off and adding additives are worth it.

 

[bttrfngrz]

dry slide is the lube i use. you can get it at napa.

 

[Macbuell]

Thought my frame was Aluminum? why would it rust inside? I think I will go buy some gas...

 

[bttrfngrz]

well i wish i would have taken a picture of the inside of my frame when i had it torn down so i don't have to use a shop photo. the frame is aluminum but when i had mine apart it had a beginning of either rust or corrosion. either can be prevented by keeping her topped off.

 

[brightbuell]

Fill it up but remember fuel stabilizer is a must. It keeps the fuel from breaking down and clogging up your fuel lines, carb and jets. Its pretty simple.
Park your bike on some thin wood not concrete as it is bad for your tires, fill fuel, add stabilizer, run untill for about 10 min untill stabilizer gets through the lines. Take out your battery and keep it inside at room temp. Whipe down and cover with a breathable cotten sheet"keeps moistuer away from bike" then then put on your bike cover. Done