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Message started by Jerry Eichenberger on 12/14/08 at 13:00:52

Title: Another winter storage question
Post by Jerry Eichenberger on 12/14/08 at 13:00:52

I hadn't done anything about winter storage until this morning. Last rode the bike around Oct. 15th. This morning, put petcock on prime, and it started right up. Fueled it with 100LL aviation gasoline, which is made to be stable for long term storage (some airplanes have gone over a year between flights with no problem with this fuel). Then, I rode it for about 3 miles, filled it to the brim again, and put it in the garage. I realize that this is leaded fuel, but figure that one tank full a year won't hurt it any.

How often, and for how long does it need to be ridden to keep the battery charged over the winter? Is once every 4 or so weeks for about 5 miles enough? Here in central Ohio, we typically will have a day or two during each winter month when it will be warm enough (35 + degrees) that I could stand to ride it that far.

Title: Re: Another winter storage question
Post by Paladin. on 12/14/08 at 14:57:36

3F303C363D303B373027323027550 wrote:

....How often, and for how long does it need to be ridden to keep the battery charged over the winter? ....

That would, in large part, depend on your battery. For long battery life you do not want your battery to drop below 75% charge. Being conservative, I'll keep it no lower than 85%.

Flooded batteries self-discharge at 13% per month. If you have a flooded battery you will want to run the bike at least once monthly, and run it long enough to completely recharge the battery. I probably average 5 miles or less per trip and have no problem maintaining battery charge -- so a 20 mile ride should more than suffice.

Gel Cells and AGM batteries self discharge at 3% and 1% per month. The Gell Cell can sit for 5 months before dropping to 85% charge. The AGM battery will go a year.

reference (http://www.rversonline.org/04LOWBatteries.html)

Title: Re: Another winter storage question
Post by Jerry Eichenberger on 12/14/08 at 15:05:21

Paladin -

Thanks a bunch. Mine is an '06 S40, and I'm fairly sure it still has the OEM battery. So, whatever that was is probably the type of battery I have. Bike only has 3200 miles.

I was surprised this morning that, having not run for over two months, it cranked the engine over normally. Maybe just little slow, but not by much if slow at all. And it took me a three or four attempts, as I put it on prime, and then took it off of prime after cranking a few revolutions.

Title: Re: Another winter storage question
Post by drums1 on 12/14/08 at 15:55:47

I fired up the old '87 this morning too. 5 seconds on prime, crank crank vroooooom. I was surprised. Last winter I went out and fired it up about once a week, and let it idle for 10-15 minutes. No problems.

Title: Re: Another winter storage question
Post by skrapiron -FSO on 12/14/08 at 17:58:09

Oct 15? Jerry... I feel terrible for you.......

I picked up a trickle charger from Harbor Fright for $9.00. It has a pig-tail attachment that you put on your battery terminals, then dangle it outside the bike. When you want to charge the battery, just plug it in.

The other option is an AGM battery like the Big Crank.

BTW, are you planning to ride up to Loudonville for the Thunder in Paradise bike show in June?

Title: Re: Another winter storage question
Post by Rustbucket on 12/17/08 at 09:50:49

My 05 has to sit outside, I have one of those battery tenders from walmart (Bell) In the motorcycle dept. hooked up to it.. That and a full tank of gas with sta-bil mixed in. I keep it coverd up and thats about it.. Oh yeah, I changed the oil shortly before i parked it..

Title: Re: Another winter storage question
Post by verslagen1 on 12/17/08 at 10:03:50

Would recommend a wash and wax.

or spray any exposed metal with a rust preventative.

And a short trip once a month and you won't need either the stabil or battery tender

Title: Re: Another winter storage question
Post by Digger on 12/17/08 at 18:24:55

Speaking of Sta-Bil, here's something I haven't tried myself but looks promising:

Sta-Bil for Ethanol (http://www.goldeagle.com/sta-bil/stabil_marine.htm)

Title: Re: Another winter storage question
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/18/08 at 07:06:30

If my bike was doomed to sit ouside thru an Oklahoma winter I would comsider building a little, high on one side,( to shuck the snow * ice off itself) framework from PVC pipe & cover it with a tarp, maybe 2 or 3 thicknesses & stick a droplight or 2 in there I could turn on to try to keep it from freezing solid. I kow its not alive & maybe it wouldnt make a difference, I would be asking it right here. Gets darned cold in Ok. City. I lived uo that way one winter. Yep, ONE winter, I am a quick learner.

Title: Re: Another winter storage question
Post by David Levi on 12/18/08 at 07:31:16

I am in the same location as Jerry. I haven't done anything about Winter storage yet, but I have been able to ride it here and there over the past few weeks. It's getting harder though since the weather doesn't seem to want to break. I am still waiting for that mythical 60 degree December day to ride it across town to a family member's garage.

I am a little worried though, I went outside this morning to go to work (in car) and saw a "spot" under the bike (07 s40), I am hoping it was just melting ice or water from the carport, but it was right underneath the bike cover. I can't imagine oil leaking when it hasn't been ridden much, but I guess I'll have to check it out more when I get home.