Although the bike may have ran perfectly all spring and summer, simply parking and covering it in the garage for winter will not guarantee good running again come next spring time.

Some components on a motorcycle need maintenance even when it is parked, such as: the tires, battery, fuel system and the engine. The condition of these items or systems can/will deteriorate when the bike is stored. So how does an owner prepare his machine for winter or long term storage?

The first priority is cleaning. Road dirt and grime can have a devastating effect on metallic components. For instance, if the machine had been ridden when salt was spread on the road (to melt ice), the corrosive nature of salt will severely damage everything from cast aluminum wheels to the engine cases. After a good cleaning, and drying as appropriate, exposed metal parts should be liberally coated with WD40 or it’s equivalent.

Protecting Bike Tires

Motorcycle tires can be damaged in storage if the weight of the bike is on one small place all winter. The effect of standing is to deform the tire; instead of it being round, the tires will have flat-spots where weight of the machine was located.

These flat-spots will cause the bike to vibrate when it is first ridden again. Although the tires will recover their shape over time, the problem can be avoided by placing the bike on its center stand and placing a support under the forks to lift the tire from the ground (assuming a front end weight bias).

Protecting and Winterizing The Engine

When an internal combustion engine is running, the gasoline acts as a lubricant (gasoline is, after all, an oil byproduct). However, when the bike is stored, there are various components that are susceptible to corrosion or mechanical damage – particularly in high humidity climates.

The cylinders, valves, pistons/rings will all benefit from a coating of oil or WD40. Removing the spark plugs and injecting a small amount of oil into the cylinders will coat most of the combustion chamber and valve areas. This process is best done with the help of an assistant: one person can inject the oil as the other turns the engine over (ignition off) via the rear wheel – this is best done in 2nd gear.

With the inside coated with oil the plugs must be replaced to seal the chambers. However, to change the load on the valve springs and camshaft, it is good practice to turn the engine over a few times during the storage period.

The exhaust outlet pipe and the air filter inlet should also be closed off (duct tape will work well for this job) as small rodents find the various chambers ideal for nesting/hibernation.

Old Gasoline Blocks Jets

The fuel system on a stored bike must also receive treatment. Gas stabilizers such as Sta-Bil is a ‘must use’ when storing any internal combustion engine utilizing gasoline. Motorcycles are no exception. The small fuel flow control jets in many motorcycle fuel delivery systems can get blocked after just a short amount of storage time as the gasoline gums up – as little as two months in some cases.

Electrical systems, in particular the battery, must also receive attention. Moisture inside electrical connections (including light units) can cause corrosion to the terminals. Removing the lenses and spraying the connections with WD40 will protect the metal connections.

Safety Precautions

Keeping the battery charged and in good condition is easily achieved with a trickle or float charger system. These smart chargers monitor the battery voltage and introduce a charge when the voltage drops below a set limit. However, precautions must be adhered to whenever a battery is charged.

Depending on the battery type, poisonous gases may be given off during charging, and there is an explosion risk from hydrogen gases. Companies such as Parts Unlimited distribute professional chargers through their dealer network, but safety precautions must be adhered too.

As the owner prepares his motorcycle for long term storage, he should make a note of the work completed. When the time comes to prepare the bike for riding again, notes will refresh the owner’s mind of anything that needs attention including: cleaning any protection fluids form brake rotors etc.