Recommended Post Winter Storage Maintenance?

[Jer]

Hello again!

My GZ is out of storage from its long winters nap. I've started it up and ran it a bit.

Now what?

I'm new to bikes, its got about 4400 miles on it. I bought it at the end of summer last year.

I suppose I'll change the oil and filter now. I've only put about 400 miles on it since getting it but its likely due. Better safe than sorry. What else do you recommend? The tires look good....

I saw chain lube mentioned.

I'm not real mechanically inclined but my brother is, I'll have him come help me if I think I need it.

Thanks for the recommendations!

[alanmcorcoran]

Did you happen to fill the tank before you stored it? I've heard that is supposed to cut down on rust. I have also heard that the gas get's "old" and should be drained and replaced with fresh. Not sure if a few months really is considered long term storage.

[Jer]

Yeah, I filled it and put "stabil" in it.

It sat for 5 months.

Once I got it started it seems to be fine.

[mrlmd1]

Next time you lay the bike up for the winter, change the oil BEFORE you put it away so it doesn't sit for 6 months with dirt and acids in it eating up your engine. And keep the battery on a trickle charger during the cold layup period. Check the tire pressure. Lube the chain. Check all the lights.
If the bike doesn't run smooth when started, you may need to run a tankful of gas with carb cleaner (Berrymans 12 or Seafoam) in it. See how it runs before you start messing with all kinds of things.

[Jer]

I can do the carb cleaner in it anyway. Any harm in that?

Can it be too clean?

The oil in the little window looks brand new. Can I use that as any sort of guide?

Trickle charger, got one.
Lights and tire pressure I'm good on.
Good tips. Thanks!

Chain lube... Is this something I can buy and apply easily? Or does the chain need to come off?

[music man]

If you put Stabil in it, and the gas that was in it at the time you did it was fresh, then you shouldn't have any problem whatsoever with the gas being bad. If your not going to drain that gas out, I would burn most of it up before putting in carb cleaner, plus when you run stuff like that in your tank, it is better to put it in first then fill your tank, it mixes with the gas better that way.


And one other thing i didn't think of, did you run your bike AFTER you put Stabil in it, because if you didn't that means that the gas that was in your carb was not protected by the Stabil.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Jer

Chain lube... Is this something I can buy and apply easily? Or does the chain need to come off?

90W gear lube. Dribble some on, turn a few revolutions (by pushing maybe) then wipe off the excess.

Sounds to me like you need to get an owner's manual.

In addition to what's already been mentioned, check for loose screws and bolts and consider lub'ing the cables and pivot points.

Bottom line is: from now on, you should be doing all those things on a regular basis and, if you do, then starting it up after storage should be no different than starting it any other time.

I don't generally favor replacing good oil just because it is a few months old but since you really don't KNOW how old your's is, I agree it should be changed this time.

[Jer]

Stabil - Yep, it was a fresh tank with stabil added. And I ran it for about a mile after filling it and adding stabil.

Gear lube - Thanks!

Owners Manual - Yep. Got one. Read it front to back when I got the bike. Didnt think to check again for recommended maintenance. And I figured asking other owners in the "maintenance section" was a wise idea. Since the owerns manual doesnt know my mileage, where I live, when it was stored, how it was stored, how old it is, etc.... Correct me if I'm wrong but I credit this site with more info than that manual has.

Starting it up after storage - No, I didnt assume it was any different. It just seemed like a good time to visit the maintenance side of things. Since minus the storage time, the bike is only 2 and a half months old to me.

Thanks for the tips!

[mrlmd1]

Some of us use Dupont Teflon spray lube for the chain, A lot less messy than oil and we think it stays cleaner.
(Comes in a blue spray can- at auto or hardware stores).

If the chain is really dirty it may have to be cleaned with kerosene and a toothbrush first before lubing - do a search on here for chain lube and read the manual online here.

[Jer]

Great idea.

Less mess = awesome.



Can I just use PAM?


joke.