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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> don't want to winterize
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Message started by franch on 11/09/05 at 09:29:05

Title: don't want to winterize
Post by franch on 11/09/05 at 09:29:05

if i just start the bike up once a week and move it around will that suffice ? I want to be able to take the savage out on those rare warm winter days up here in new england

Title: Re: don't want to winterize
Post by vroom1776 on 11/09/05 at 09:33:20

I think if you let it sit for a week in the cold, it is probably a good idea to just start it up and let it run at idle for 10, 20 minutes. At the very least, this will help keep the battery charged. Although, it might not help much as our batteries tend to be lousy.

Title: Re: don't want to winterize
Post by Tammi on 11/09/05 at 11:15:20

New England, eh? Is your garage heated?

If it's not, the water in the battery might freeze and that's NOT A GOOD THING.

Also, you really ought not to run the engine just a few times over the winter!

You'll just create condensation in the engine and combustion byproducts (acids, etc.) in the oil.

Cheers. Tammi

Title: Re: don't want to winterize
Post by sluggo on 11/09/05 at 16:04:18

i live in central washington state, the winter here can get below zero degrees f. i still ride though.

i've said it before, i dont winterize the machine, i winterize me. machine doesnt know what season it is.

time to break out the colder wx gear.

sluggo

Title: Re: don't want to winterize
Post by Ed_L. on 11/09/05 at 16:28:11

If you are planning to get a ride in every few weeks don't worry about winterizing the bike. Even if it sits for two months the bike should be fine just be sure to keep the tank full to prevent moisture in the gas. A battery buddy is a big help for cold weather, helps keep the battery charged.

Title: Re: don't want to winterize
Post by cain9580 on 11/09/05 at 17:07:52

I had a bike mechanic tell me it is bad on the cylinders to let the bike idle for to long. Any truth to this?

Title: Re: don't want to winterize
Post by kikuchiyo on 11/09/05 at 17:38:02

I also heard from the mechanic that gasoline goes "sour" and he recommended that I drain the tank if I do not use bike for a season. Any truth to that?

Title: Re: don't want to winterize
Post by cigaro on 11/09/05 at 18:56:16

Speaking as a newbie from a cold weather Great Lakes state (Wisconsin), I'm intending on starting the Savage up about once a week in the garage or driveway. And hoping to at least take a few neighborhood spins when there's no ice on the roads or a ton of salt. There always seems to be a couple of mid-winter thaws here. I'll be ready.

Title: Re: don't want to winterize
Post by PerrydaSavage on 11/10/05 at 02:27:57

Here's my take ... from the cold North Atlantic, where most Riders do winterize their Bikes from Nov. to April ... as you are in New England, your winter season is very similar (albiet somewhat shorter ...) to here. The extent of winter storage prep., depends on where you plan on keeping your Bike. If you have a heated garage, than fuel stabilizer and a battery tender are all you really need, as storage temps above freezing will keep condensation out of the engine internals and keep the battery from freezing ... get a warm day, just unhook the tender and go for a Ride. If you have un-heated storage (like me) and temps regularly drop below freezing, then you may want to consider the "full meal deal" as far as prep goes. Details of a full winterization are covered elsewhere on this Message Board ... a search should take ya right to it!

Title: Re: don't want to winterize
Post by Reelthing on 11/10/05 at 03:52:56

Being blessed with a gulf breeze in the winter cold does not happen much but on the subject of gasoline - burn it in under 3 months - as easy as the savage tank is to drain - pull one spring clip and pull the fuel hose off the carb - switch it to pri and drain it into a gas can and pour that in the car. I'd do that if the gas was 6 weeks old and put fresh back in the savage. If your going to use stabil or a simular product - it must be used when the gas is fresh it will not bring dead gas back - I go through this on boats that sit - anyway if the world was frozen over from Nov to April I'd move!

Title: Re: don't want to winterize
Post by babbalou on 11/10/05 at 04:16:43

I learned about Stabil the hard way, by not using it. Stored my Honda Nighthawk for about 10 weeks, then it ran horribly. Sputtered to the dealer & had 4 carbs rebuilt. I ride through the year now but I put Stabil in my lawnmower every winter. Worked so far.

Title: Re: don't want to winterize
Post by Mr 650 on 11/14/05 at 13:29:00

Winterize; After Thanksgiving, Fill the tank at nearest station, pull battery, take inside.
1st 60+ day in March, trickle charge for 10-15 min, reinstall, ride.*

*If your name is Greg, between removing and reinstalling the battery, completely disassemble the bike and motor and then reassemble the bike while the battery is charging, be sure it has fully charged before cranking. ;D ;D