[net.cycle] Winterize time again

ecn-pa:lebold (10/20/82)

For those of us in the COLD north it's getting to be storage time
again.   Here  is  a  few  things I do to winterize my cycle ('80
GS1000G).  First, on the back porch out of the weather, where the
temperature  stays  between  30-50 degrees.  Drain oil and remove
filter, filling the case to the brim with 10-30  (to  kept  acids
and  humidity  from  being  nasty).   Gas  stabilizer in the tank
(filled to the brim).  A good cleaning and  waxing,  amor-all  on
all  the  exposed  rubber  and  seat.   Tires  off the ground and
pressure dropped to 10-15  pounds  (keeps  them  round  for  next
year).   I leave the battery in the cycle but disconnected, small
charge about once a month.  I crank the engine over once  a  week
with  a squirt of oil in the spark plug holes, since I don't have
a kicker I spin the rear wheel in fifth.   Fairing,  saddle  bags
and  other removeable plastic/fiber glass I keep where it is warm
(they crack EASY at 30 degrees).

Did this last year, when I rolled it out in spring, with  correct
oil, it started just like I had shut it off 5 minutes earlier!

The only good thing about winter here is that you can spend  some
time planning next year's trips (ALASKA!!)

			  Tim Lange
			  Purdue University
			  West Lafayette, IN

			  inuxc/ucbvax/harpo|pur-ee!ecn-pa.lebold

hsc (10/21/82)

Shucks.  I just put the sidecar on and keep riding.  The rig already
has better traction that a car with "all weather" tires,
but I've got a snow chain for the rear wheel that I'm dying to try
out on the really tough hills.
Harvey S. Cohen  BTL-LZ1C314 (201)576-6059 houxn!hsc

kos (10/22/82)

#R:ecn-pa:-57000:uiucdcs:8800001:000:1386
uiucdcs!kos    Oct 21 17:10:00 1982

Alaska.. what a ride!

Here in Champaign-Urbana (not all that far from Purdue) I'm still riding
my bike.  Today was a balmy 30 degress at dawn's early light.  I must
say that the recent bout of cold weather has strengthened my right leg
pretty much!  I'll hold out as long as the weather conditions do (i.e.
until the roads ice or snow up), but then I'll be packing my bike up, too.

All the aforementioned suggestions are very good, and I can't think of
any to augment them.  I will add a couple of points, though - the gas
stabilizer is VERY important, as is taking the battery out and occasionally
charging it.  There are two schools of thought about oiling the cylinders,
though, depending on whether or not you're going to run the engine while
it's stored.  If you are, oiling the cylinders is a good idea, but not
a necessity; if you're not you'll never get away with not doing it.  I
would just as soon not worry about starting the engine every once in a
while, particularly since the bike and I will be 150 miles apart, so I'm
just going to oil 'er up and recheck whenever possible.  Notice that if
you've oiled the cylinders, it may be a little hard starting it again.
If this happens, pull the plugs and wipe them off, then try again.  Also
expect a voluminous blue cloud from the exhaust when it fires.

There's nothing like not having to scrape your windows in the morning.