For most Italian motorcyclists, the end of autumn indicates that the time has come to get their hands on their vehicle. A few lucky ones, on the other hand, will be able to continue to enjoy the bike even in winter thanks to a favorable climate. If you are not among them, you will have to follow some important steps if you want to prepare your bike to better face the long winter months ahead. The following steps are guidelines that will assist you in preparing your bike for winter, making sure that once spring arrives, you will be able to get back in the saddle without any problems.
Steps
Step 1. Prepare all the necessary tools
You will need cleaning cloths, spark plug wrenches, a charge maintainer, four or five liters of high-quality oil, a new oil filter, an oil canister or otherwise a tool that can deliver oil in the cylinders, a lubricant for the chain (if your motorcycle has a chain drive), an additive for petrol, a spray can of WD40, a breathable motorcycle cloth, transparent food film, rubber bands, vinyl or plastic gloves, and tools to wash and wax your motorcycle. Lastly, you will need somewhere to leave the bike for the whole winter (ideally a safe and heated garage). Avoid wind, water, parasitic insects, mold and chemical vapors.
Step 2. Thoroughly wash your motorcycle
A mild cleanser and water will do just fine. By removing street dirt and insects, you will protect the paint. Avoid spraying water towards the muffler opening. If the DB-killers get wet and not dried before putting the bike away, they could rust. For the same reason, it prevents moisture from getting into the air filter box; if it were full it could act as a choke, making the bike difficult to start. After washing it, dry the motorcycle completely with a quality suede cloth. Wash and polish any steel or aluminum surface with the most suitable polish for that metal. Finally, finish the job by applying a wax-based polish to all painted or chrome surfaces. Clean the chain (if your bike has one). Remove all dirt residue using the WD40. At that point, lubricate it.
Step 3. Add a gasoline additive to the tank
Fill up the bike. This is a very important step. As gasoline ages, many of its volatile components tend to change, forming slime and rubbery substances that could annoy motorcycle carburetors. Start the motorcycle so that gasoline and additive can reach the carburetors or injectors. At that point, stop the flow of gasoline and let the bike run out of what is left in the pipes.
Step 4. If your motorcycle has carburetors, empty the tanks
Close the fuel tap and empty the fuel tanks of the fuel they contain. Consult your motorcycle manual to find out where the bleed screws are located on the carburetors. Obviously if your bike is fuel injected there will be nothing to empty.
Step 5. Once the engine is warm, you can change the oil and filter
The chemical composition of the oil varies during the long periods when the bike is left stationary. The old oil could become acidic and potentially corrosive to different engine components.
Step 6. Using a spray bottle, put oil on the front fork legs
Get on the bike and, pulling the front brake on, move the fork up and down. The oil will prevent the fork rubber seals from drying out and will protect the fork legs.
Step 7. Remove the spark plug wires and carefully remove the spark plugs with the spark plug wrench
With the same spray used on the fork, put engine oil in the cylinders. About a teaspoon per cylinder will suffice. Move the cable hoses to a safe place so that they do not form sparks with each other or with nearby metal parts, then operate the starter motor to be able to crank the engine and spread the oil. Remember to keep your face away from candle holes when doing this. The oil will come out! Clean and check the spark plug gap, then reassemble them. At this point, reconnect the cables as well.
Step 8. You may want to remove the battery
Some batteries need to be recharged every four weeks with a maintainer. The accumulation of sulfates on the contacts of the battery can ruin it during periods of inactivity, especially if passed in the cold. A light layer of petroleum jelly on the battery terminals will be enough to prevent corrosion. This little trick will be enough to make it easier to start the bike in the spring, and it will avoid you having to spend more money to replace the battery.
Step 9. If your motorcycle is liquid cooled, check the antifreeze level
Drain, rinse and replace the cooling system fluid if necessary. However, it is advisable to replace it every two years. Do not leave the antifreeze level low, as doing so could lead to rusting or corrosion of the cooling system components. Also check the level of all other liquids.
Step 10. Lubricate the cables
Lubricate the suspensions and pins. Lubricate the cardan (if your bike has that type of transmission). Check the air filter and fuel filter. Check the brake pads. Give your bike a cookie when you're done.
Step 11. Clean and treat all leather parts with quality products
Step 12. If the area where you will be leaving the bike has a bare concrete floor, it is advisable to get a plywood, MDF or old carpet
It will isolate the bike, preventing it from being reached by too much humidity. It is also advisable to store the motorcycle by removing all the weight from the wheels: to do this you can use special stands, for the individual or central wheels, or blocks of a material resistant enough to support the weight of your motorcycle for long periods. Do not leave the motorcycle near devices capable of releasing ozone, such as motors, freezers and ovens or electric heaters. This gas would deteriorate the rubber parts of the motorcycle.
Step 13. With a clean cloth, spread a light film of quality oil on all metal surfaces, excluding brake discs
Spray some WD40 in the exhausts. Cover the opening of the terminals and the air filter case with plastic wrap and rubber bands. You can also cover the various tailpipes. Doing so will prevent any parasites from finding a shelter for the winter in your motorcycle.
Step 14. Do not run the engine for short periods of time during the period of inactivity
It could lead to condensation due to combustion residues.
