Nobody wants to believe it but, winter is almost here and for most of us that live in the Midwest, this means storage. Here are a few tips that will help ensure you’re bike will be on the road and not here on a lift when spring comes.

 
  Lube ‘em up! Any and all parts that are prone to rust and corrosion should be kept lubricated and protected.  This includes your chain, bolts, cables and switches.

  It’s time for one more oil change. Used oil has contaminants that will stick and gunk up. If your bike won’t be moving at all, you’ll need to start it once in a while to get the engine lubricated again. Just make sure you don’t keep it running for too long and contaminate that oil again.

  Fill ‘er up! Top off your gas tank. Condensation tends to form in an empty tank. Stabilizer is also recommended. Helix 5in1 will stabilize your fuel for two years.

  Don’t let it die. Putting your bikes battery on a tender with a trickle charge will keep it from draining. Every time your battery dies, it loses some of its lifespan. A tender is recommended because it automatically switches to float which maintains the charge without overdoing it.

  Keep ‘em round. Tires that sit it one spot for a longer period of time tend to obtain flat spots. Easiest way to avoid this is to put your bike up on stands or a lift. For those of you that don’t have stands or want to spend the money on a lift, here are a few things you can do to save those tires.
   1. Move your bike around a couple times a month to keep the tires from resting on the same spots.
   2. Add about 5PSI to each tire. They naturally lose air over time.
   3. Parking on plywood will help your tires from obtaining moisture.

I hope this helps you keep your baby safe and warm during this cold season ahead. Thanks for reading and always feel free to call us at the shop with any questions or concerns! (636)775-1385