The Body and Machine Section is the place to hang out and grab pertinent information for everything from motorcycle maintenance to fitness to very cool stuff to know about!
Winter Care, Start planning for Spring.
Believe it or not some riders out there parked their bikes on that last decent fall day and have not touched it since. If you are one of these riders, shame on you. The most important part of being a motorcyclist is maintaining your bike. Don't freak, if you haven't done any winterizing to your bike here are some things you can still do. (pictured; Exactly what you should NOT be doing to store your bike!)
There are two different types of motorcycles to address, a fuel injected motorcycle and a carbureted motorcycle. when storing a fuel injected bike add fuel stabilizer to your fuel tank. Make sure the tank is full of gas (keep a gas can on hand if you need to top the tank off.) Turn on the bike and let it run idle with the stabilizer in the tank for a few minutes. This allows the stabilizer to work into the injectors and will help to prevent the fuel from “gunking” up the injectors. If you have a carbureted bike, do the same thing allowing the fuel stabilizer to work its way into the carburetor and again help to prevent the fuel from gunking up jets inside the carb. Once this is done on a carbureted bike make sure the petcock is turned in the off position. If your garage or storage area is not heated and prone to moisture (condensation) it’s best to drain all gas from the carburetor. We do this because fuel, after sitting for a while in extreme temperatures can build up or “gum” up. This can lead to clogging of jets, needles and everything else inside your carb.
Have your local shop drain the carburetor for you if you don’t feel confident doing it yourself, but your service manual will walk you through the steps to get the job done. Draining fuel from the carb is a matter of draining the fuel valve screw or plug. Again your service manual will point this out for you. You would first start off by running the fuel stabilizer through before draining the carb. Note some carburetors don’t have a drain screw/plug, Once again your service manual will point this out for you. (Also if you still feel this work is over your head or are just simply too worried you might mess something up, most motorcycle shops offer pick up service and will be more than happy to pick up your bike and prep for storage.)
Check the tire air pressure to make sure your tire pressure is at the correct PSI, you can find this info listed on your frame tag and in your service manual. Note the maximum pressure is listed on the tire sidewall. When storing the bike for a long time period (longer than a season) prop the bike up with a motorcycle floor jack so no pressure is on the tires. The K&L MC550 is a good floor motorcycle lift that you could use. You can order this lift through Drag Specialties or by visiting klsupply.com It is also just as safe to move the bike back and forth during storage to prevent the tires from getting flat spots. (Staying in the same position for too long). Flat spots are not good for your tires because your tires should be round, not flat.
When storing the bike for several months you can also pull the spark plugs and spray a fogging oil into the cylinders to prevent rust from forming on the cylinders. First remove the spark plug wires from the plug. You will use a wrench, or socket and ratchet to remove the spark plug. Check your service manual for wrench size. Spray a light amount of fogging oil straight into the cylinder via the spark plug opening. Dab a little anti-seize (lubricate used to protects bolts, nuts, threaded fittings, and gaskets under extreme loads and temperatures.) on the spark plug threads and replace the plug. Check with your service manual for the proper torque on the plug when tightening it. It is not much, so make sure you don’t over tighten.
Motorcycle batteries should not sit idle for more than a few weeks at a time as stated by motorcycle battery manufacturers. The cells inside can loose their current rather quickly making it very important to charge your battery when your bike sits for longer than a few weeks at a time. For battery maintenance it has always been said removing the battery bike from the bike is your best option. This is back when most battery’s were acid type with a vent tube. If the battery were overcharged, battery acid could spill via the vent tube. Battery acid can do some pretty severe damage to chrome and paint – it’s just not friendly to you or your bike. Most battery’s today are a sealed acid type. There is no vent tube and it is impossible for these batteries to have acid escape from a vent. So if you have a sealed type battery it is safe to charge your battery while it is in your bike. The best way to charge the battery is by using a Battery Tender. I like the Battery Tender JR. as this comes with a wiring pigtail, which will connect directly to the battery terminals, and the connector can now be accessed without having to remove the seat. This makes charging your battery very convenient and there is no excuse for not charging your battery. The Battery Tender will switch from charge to float (meaning it will charge when needed and shut itself off on a full charge and maintain that full charge) so you also don’t have to worry about over charging your battery. One of the best investments you can make is a battery tender as it will help you protect your investment (i.e. battery) to insure a long and fully charged life. New motorcycle batteries are expensive. If you take care of your current one properly, you won’t need a new one until the old one is completely worn out.
Maybe storing your bike isn't the direction your thinking, maybe you have some projects in mind. Some questions that you could be asking yourself are Do you want more power; is it time for a little performance work? How about looks. Does your bike just not fit into your vision of your OWN motorcycle? Start planning your ideas now. Do your research. Find a shop or artist that you’d like to work with and start the conversations now. Trust me, as a shop owner if you don’t get your project in early you’ll be at the end of the list, and that means not getting your bike back until later in the spring. If you decide to get some performance or custom work done to your bike over the winter months the shop that is doing the job will obviously handle the storage of your bike and if you timed it right, your bike will be ready to roll on that first great spring day. Remember, If you don’t feel comfortable storing your own bike, check with your local motorcycle shop to see what storage options are offered. Some will prep and store your bike for winter months, and have it ride ready for you when spring rolls around.
Bikes, Camera, Action!
Harley-Davidson recently launched a contest to challenge female film makers from around the country to inspire other women to get behind the handlebars of their very own motorcycles. Dozens of female film makers answered the call, creating original two-minute short films that capture the freedom and control that riding offers women.
Victoria Sampson of Shadow Hills, Calif. was selected as the Grand Prize Winner.
Sampson received $5,000, a new High Definition video camera and a Harley-Davidson leather jacket. Already a rider, Sampson will also have the opportunity to fine tune her riding skills with a gift certificate for a 5-day bike rental through Harley-Davidson's Authorized Rentals.
We really like the way Victoria relates riding and the feeling of freedom with a horse, you know we are such animal lovers here at Garage-Girls. Nice Job Victoria!