This eight-point checklist may look a bit intimidating,
but I reckon that it's actually only an afternoon's graft. Great
for working those Sunday lunch calories off! It's aimed primarily
at those putting their motorcycle in winter storage, but nearly
all of it is just as applicable to those running their bikes throughout
the winter.
I'd go as far as to say that the entire checklist
is mandatory, so if you do find it a bit much, talk to your local
dealer. They should be able to do the applicable points for around
two hours' labour (i.e. an experienced technician) and about £15
in materials. For us that's a total of about £80 plus VAT. A small
price to pay to maintain your bike's value, looks, mechanical condition
and to give you safe, trouble free riding come the Spring.
1/ Fuel System. Modern unleaded fuel has
a shelf life of only a few weeks. It will degrade into a green,
sludgy lacquer that will cover everything, if left for long enough.
Run the fuel level down low, add some stabilising fuel additive
in the tank and run the bike for a few miles to get it through the
fuel system. There's no perfect cure (despite what the manufactures
may say), but this helps a lot. Come the Spring, first stop is the
petrol station to fill up with fresh fuel.
2/. Clean it. Thoroughly. Not just cosmetically
as you would normally, but use a quality degreaser to remove all
the ingrained grime that you haven't bothered cleaning off during
the years riding. Use one recommended for O-ring chains. Slightly
controversially, I'd suggest that would probably include the use
of a pressure washer. Concentrate on localised, really grimy bits,
though with fuel injected bikes you need to be very, very careful
to avoid the ECU unit, instruments and electrics. I don't necessarily
buy into the paranoia surrounding use of power washers, especially
if you're only using it once a year for winter preparation. For
example, wheel bearings are cheap and if they wear a bit prematurely,
they're much cheaper to replace than getting your corroded wheels
refinished. The brakes and suspension need special attention. Unbolt
the brake callipers and use a special brake cleaner and a stiff
brush to clean out the callipers and use a special brake rubber
grease to re-lubricate. If your bike is dealer serviced, this should
be done a matter of routine, but your service may have been some
time ago and it's obviously important not to let corrosion set in
over the winter lay-up. Inspect and re-grease the suspension linkages.
3/ Dry it. Thoroughly. Use compressed air
if it's available.
4/ Re-lubricate it. Invest time in covering
your brake calipers and discs properly to protect them from the
re-lubrication and polishing processes. All joints and pivots, such
as side stand pivots, suspension linkages and brake lever pivots.
Regular chain lube is good enough for most moving surfaces. Chain
wax can be a bit messy, and you may end up having to clean your
bike again.
Dose the rest of the bike in a general anti-corrosion treatment
(Scottoiler
FS 365 is an excellent product),
avoiding the brakes. (Note about WD40. The name stands for Water
Dispersant for 40 days. 'Nuff said)
5/ Polish it. Thoroughly. Don't use abrasive
polishes. Use the aerosol wax polishes made by most oil companies.
Again avoid brakes.
6/. Tyres. Get them off the ground. If your
bike doesn't include a centre stand, buy a pair a paddock stands.
They're not that expensive, and are cheaper than a new set of tyres.
Once bought, they'll last a lifetime of winter storages. Fill the
tyres with nitrogen. This will drastically reduce the oxidisation
of the rubber and they should maintain their right pressure and
condition right through the winter. More
on nitrogen
7/ Batteries. The only time I've seen faulty
FI computers on Aprilias, has been when bikes have been stood up
over winter, the battery has run down and the owner has tried to
restart their bike using a car battery. At £1,000 a time, it isn't
worth the risk. Modern fuel injection computers need a certain battery
voltage to work, and no amount of bump starting will fix that if
your battery has been allowed to die over the winter. Get a battery
tender. Come the Spring, the bike will start and no components will
get damaged. Get one! It'll save you money and grief. Do it!
8/ Bike cover. Use a modern breathable type,
that won't encourage condensation. Don't use a tarpaulin.
Your dealer should be able to supply you with a
winter kit with the necessary cleaner, degreaser, greases and polish,
but these are our recommended products:
- Würth fuel additive
- Würth & Putoline
Chain and Engine Degreaser
- Putoline
Brake cleaner
- Putoline
1001 multipurpose maintenance spray
- Putoline
Chain Wax
- Scottoiler FS 365
anti-corrosion spray (MCN Product of the Year 2004)
- Optimate battery
conditioner
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Page last updated:
31/07/07
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