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Alright, listen up, y’all. Gonna tell ya how to keep that there motorcycle of yours from turnin’ into a rusty ol’ bucket durin’ the winter. Don’t want it lookin’ like somethin’ the cat dragged in come spring, now do ya?
First off, winter’s a mean one. Snow, ice, salt… that stuff’ll eat yer bike alive faster than a pig in slop. Seen it happen. Bikes left out in the cold lookin’ like they been through a war. Rust everywhere, chrome all pitted. Not a pretty sight, lemme tell ya.
So, where ya gonna put it? Best place is inside, if ya got room. Garage, shed, even a barn if it’s dry. Just get it outta the weather. Ain’t got no inside space? Well, then ya gotta get creative. Maybe a carport? Or at least cover it up real good with a tarp. But make sure it ain’t touchin’ the ground, ’cause that’ll trap moisture and make things worse. Gotta let it breathe a little, ya know?
- Clean that hog! Don’t go puttin’ it away dirty. Wash it good, get all the bugs and grime off. And for the love of Pete, dry it good too! Water’s the enemy, remember?
- Check yer tires. Pump ’em up good. Don’t want ’em goin’ flat over the winter. And if ya can, get the bike up on stands. Takes the weight off the tires and keeps ’em from gettin’ flat spots.
- Gas tank stuff: Now, this is important. Gas goes bad, ya know? Turns into somethin’ nasty after a while. So ya gotta add that fuel stabilizer stuff. Keeps the gas from goin’ bad. Pour it in the tank, then run the engine for a bit so it gets through the whole system. Don’t skip this part, it’s important.
Okay, so you got yer bike all cleaned up and the gas tank sorted. What next? Well, it’s time to take a good look at it. See if there’s anythin’ needs fixin’. Loose bolts, worn wires, anythin’ that looks outta whack. Better to fix it now than wait till spring, right? Saves ya time later.
Another thing, take out the battery. Cold weather ain’t good for batteries. They’ll drain faster than a leaky bucket. Bring it inside, put it on a trickle charger if ya got one. Keeps it topped up and ready to go. And don’t forget to check the antifreeze, just like ya do with yer car. Don’t want that engine block crackin’ from the cold.
Now, some folks like to spray stuff on their bikes to keep ’em from rustin’. There’s all kinds of products out there. I ain’t used ’em much myself, but if ya want, go ahead. Just make sure it’s somethin’ made for motorcycles, don’t go sprayin’ just anythin’ on it.
And finally, cover it up. Even if it’s inside, cover it up. Keeps the dust off. And if it’s outside, well, ya better cover it up real good. Like I said, use a good tarp, tie it down tight. Don’t want the wind rippin’ it off. Winter can be long, and that there motorcycle of yours needs its rest, so make sure it’s snug as a bug in a rug.
So there ya have it. That’s how ya keep yer bike safe and sound through the winter. It ain’t rocket science, just common sense. Take care of yer bike and it’ll take care of you. Come spring, it’ll be ready to hit the road again. And remember, don’t go skimpin’ on these steps, or you’ll be payin’ for it later. A little work now saves a whole lotta headaches later on, ya hear?
Now, I ain’t no expert, just an old woman who’s seen a thing or two. But I know enough to keep my things in good shape, and that’s all there is to it. Take it or leave it.
Tags: [Motorcycle Winter Storage, Storing A Motorcycle, Winter Motorcycle Care, Motorcycle Maintenance, Winter Storage Tips]
