HOW TO PREPARE YOUR MOTORCYCLE OR ATV FOR STORAGE

I. Short Term Storage (OVER THE WINTER) If storing the bike over 30 days, obtain a fuel stabilizer and add it to your tank just before topping off. If you are not sure if you are going to be starting the bike do it anyway.

Start your bike then shut off the fuel at your petcock and let it run until the carbs are dry.

Grease all grease fittings.

If you have a leather seat treat it with whatever the manufacturer
recommends. If in doubt use mink oil.

If you have a set of throw over saddlebags remove them.

Clean and wax the bike. Top off the gas tank to the very top. I recommend not using gasohol if you can avoid it. Top off your brake fluid then bleed the brakes to get rid of any moisture that may be in the old fluid. Fill back to the full mark with fluid out of a new container.

Pressurize your tires to the maximum recommended air pressure.

Change your oil and filter.

If you have a water cooled bike flush and change the coolant. Clean and lube your chain, use a lot of lube.

Spray non painted areas with a light coat of fogging oil. pay special attention to your wheels and spokes. They love to rust.(DON'T SPRAY THE DISK ROTOR) Check your battery electrolyte level, top it off with distilled water if needed.

Hook up a battery tender to the battery.

If you are storing the bike indoors. Cover it with a breathable cover.

If you are storing it out doors lay a thick piece of plastic down. Park the bike on it. Cover with a non scratching bike cover then cover that with a waterproof tarp. Use bungy cords and heavy weights to hold the tarp in place.

II. Longer term

Do everything in part I plus:

Remove your battery Note: If your battery is going to be sitting for a year or so it will probably be junk however it doesn't hurt to attempt to keep it in working order.Store the battery in a cool place where it won't freeze.

Remove spark plugs and squirt a little oil in each cylinder. Rotate the engine one or two revolutions then replace the plugs.

Unbolt your disk calipers without removing the brake hose. Put them in a plastic bag closed with zip ties. Hang them with zip ties or something similar so that they are not suspended by the brake lines.

Spray the disks with fogging oil.

Drain the new gas. Yes drain the new treated gas. You won't get all of it out and you want what is left to be new treated gas.

Spray the inside of the gas tank with fogging oil.

If possible Cover the air filter with a plastic bag and close it with duct tape. If not at least close up the air intake holes.

Cover the openings of your exhaust with plastic bags.

Support the motorcycle on a solid stand so that both wheels are barely off the floor.

Fill the oil tank to the very top.

If water cooled drain the new coolant.

If shaft drive change the lube if possible.

Store a copy of this list in a plastic bag with the bike so you remember what you did!

PREPARING YOUR BIKE FOR RIDING.

Remove the fogging oil with a mild detergent. To remove the oil from your disks use spray disk brake cleaner.

Remove the plastic bags.

Replace the old gas with fresh gas.

Drain the oil and fill it to the proper level.. Don't worry about the filter. Yes I know the oil has zero miles on it but it is probably contaminated with water acid and sludge. SEE NOTE 6

Reinstall the calipers if applicable.

Reinstall a fresh battery if applicable.

Put the bike in gear with the ignition off and turn the engine over a couple of times by pushing the bike. Make sure that the engine turns freely.

Check your air pressure.

Safety check brakes lights etc.

Enjoy your bike!

NOTE 1: I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT STORE YOUR MOTORCYCLE OUTDOORS FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

Note 2: Use common sense regarding your battery. Use a battery tender, not a battery charger. Store your battery in a safe place out of the reach of children. Think twice about leaving a battery tender hooked up for a long period of time. If something goes wrong will your house burn down? (with your bike in it)

Note 3: Don't store your bike near a flame source such as a water heater.

Note 4: Several mechanics I know swear by Marvel mystery oil. Go ahead and use it per Marvel's directions in addition to the above steps if you want. Does it work? I don't know, it's a mystery to me!

Note 5. Some people use petroleum jelly, motor oil or grease instead of fogging oil.

Note 6. Motorcycles with a separate oil tank (HD' for example)may appear to have mysteriously lost oil. This means the oil has drained from the tank to your motor. If you just top off the oil then start your bike you will blow oil everywhere!

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