Bike away for the winter

[Tonyvdb]

Well, as sad as it is its November 2 and it was time to put the Voyager away for the winter.
Besides taking the battery out and topping up the gas and adding seafoam to it what else is good to do?
I have the bike on its center stand and a piece of wood under the front tire to keep them both off the concrete garage floor.

[Mart656]

Sorry I cannot be of assistance in that department. I am able to ride year round and don't have to worry about winter. There are a few days in the winter that are icy or snow on the ground but not much. I am pretty sure you will get good advice from others on the site.

[ekap1200]

Well, as sad as it is its November 2 and it was time to put the Voyager away for the winter.
Besides taking the battery out and topping up the gas and adding seafoam to it what else is good to do?
I have the bike on its center stand and a piece of wood under the front tire to keep them both off the concrete garage floor.

Would be wise to check the anti-freeze protection if its not in a heated building.

[kjsett]

Well, as sad as it is its November 2 and it was time to put the Voyager away for the winter.
Besides taking the battery out and topping up the gas and adding seafoam to it what else is good to do?
I have the bike on its center stand and a piece of wood under the front tire to keep them both off the concrete garage floor.

Maybe an electric blanket and a stereo playing nice lullabies.
Just kidding. My "poor" bike doesn't get to rest. Long trips aren't as likely because of the mountains to the north and east of us, but it still is a 1 to 4 day a week rider even in "winter" (more often if i have my choice). If my wife chooses to ride more, maybe I will get to also.
Enjoy your time off from the XII. Maybe just more snowmobile rides.
Just thinkin,
Ken

[Tonyvdb]

Oh for sure! snowmobiling is in the future :)
I have tested the antifreeze and its good

I would ride still as we dont have any snow yet but the mornings are around freezing now and it only warms up to about 45F (8C) so riding to work is out.

[Jim Loiselle]

Tony,

I recommend a fuel stabilizer in the gas tank and battery trickle charger in your battery. As for me I start and run the bike every other week until the fan comes on to get the moisture out of motor.( per Mr Carl Leo). I did find that putting my Voyager in gear running it in sub-zero weather caused the rear end to leak on my 86 sometimes. Good Luck!

Jim in Indy

[Tonyvdb]

starting the bike when it only a few degrees below freezing makes sense but up here in January we do go well below -20F for a week or more at a time. My garage is not heated so it does get chilly in there but at least the bike is out of the elements.

[vxiirider]

Our trike sits in a heated shop so I just add some Sea Foam to the gas, put it on a battery maintainer and let it rest all winter. The shop temp is kept at 50 degrees unless I am going out there to work on something.

[Furchin]

Tony,

and battery trickle charger in your battery

I would not recommend a trickle charger as this will continue to add charge to the battery. You would be better off using a battery maintainer as it will monitor the battery and only supply a charge when needed.

[SgtSlag]

Carl Leo's comment on water forming in the bike, is referring primarily to the engine. That comment needs some clarification so folks don't misunderstand, or do their bike an injury.

The fuel tank should always be topped off, no air space, during long storage periods, with stabilized/preserved gasoline (SeaFoam is my preferred additive/preservative). This prevents condensation of water within the fuel tank. Water can lead to rust formation -- not a good thing.

If you periodically run the engine during storage periods, this will drain fuel from the tank, creating air space, which will lead to water condensation. SeaFoam will absorb some of that water condensing, but it can only absorb a limited amount, and then it won't help with water anymore... Be sure to top off your gas tank after each running of the engine, to avoid water condensation. Also be sure to only top it off with treated gasoline.

Carl's comments about water condensing, and his recommendation to periodically run the engine up to operating temperature, is referring to water condensing within the engine: water is a byproduct of combustion, but it will also condense within the air spaces within the engine, during the long, cold storage period, mostly within the oil sump. By periodically running the engine to operating temperature, the oil will heat up enough to boil off the water condensation inside the engine and sump.

As an alternative, I would suggest adding the proper amount of SeaFoam to the crankcase, prior to storage. Run it for a few minutes to circulate it throughout the engine, and oil. This will allow the SeaFoam the best chance to absorb any condensate over the storage period. Cheers!