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http://www.clarity.net/adam/winter-storage.html
thoughts all?

First thought was that it is a long time since we had a real winter with either exceptionally low temperatures or sustained spells of frost.

Mebbe that's why I have got away without any special precautions. Had to replace one battery last spring.

What are these 'frost' things of which you speak?

do not worry about them mate, only occurs in areas where men have big willys and can drink well - like new zealand and the mother country

(incoming flames!)

Viking wrote:What are these 'frost' things of which you speak?

Don't play dumb with me. We had a frost in Perth, Western Oz back in '97. It lasted for an hour and people came from all over to see it.
It even got down to 4 that winter. I saw my breath one morning

What is this 'winter storage' ?

I don't understand the concept.

BikerGran wrote:What is this 'winter storage' ?

I don't understand the concept.

I find the best way to manage this winter storage is to remove from the storage facility on a daily basis, ride to work or some other destination, come back home and then put back into storage until the next day. This winter maintenance schedule seems to keep both bike and rider in better condition than letting either vegetate for longer periods.

Interesting; I posted a question about this a few weeks ago. Personally I think this chap is taking it all a bit far. What he suggests would probably take 2 or 3 days to achieve and is a doctrine of perfection. As far as I'm concerned it boils down to a few essentials (listed in descending order of importance).

1. Bike must be stored under cover, period. By which I mean indoors, not under a porch or a tarpaulin. Living rooms are good.
2. Battery must be kept gently charged by an Optimate or similar. Otherwise budget for a new one in spring.
3. Fuel stabiliser is good. Make sure the FS has had chance to mix thoroughly into petrol and work its way through the fuel system.
4. Prior to storage is also a good time to change oil and filter. For a start, you know the bike's ready to go next spring, and you're not storing the bike with oil full of sulphurous compounds which can attack engine internals.
5. Clean the bike prior to storage. You don't want a dirty bike in your living room over winter, do you?

He's a Yank. Nuff said.

I spose if you live in somewhere like.., Alaska? - winter storage would be important!

BikerGran wrote:I spose if you live in somewhere like.., Alaska? - winter storage would be important!

..... as would moving to somewhere else where I could ride for 12 months of the year ...

Just seen this page. It bigs up Motorex products (unsurprisingly), but looks pretty much right:

http://www.motorex.co.uk/info/winter.html