**Winterization**

Message
Author
User avatar
flynrider
Legendary 2000
Legendary 2000
Posts: 2391
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2005 1:36 pm
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 30
My Motorcycle: '93 Honda Nighthawk 750
Location: Phoenix, AZ

#21 Unread post by flynrider »

Skier wrote: For what it's worth, every bike I've owned doesn't turn the starter if the kill switch is engaged (set to off/stop). But that's only a whopping three bikes.
It does vary. My experience was the same as yours (except with more bikes of 80s vintage). I realized that I'd never actually tried it on the Honda, so I went out to the garage, hit the kill switch and the starter turned the engine over just fine.

Apparently some kill switches are wired to the ingition and starter circuits, while others just ground the ignition.

My kickstand kill switch kills both the starter and ignition, but the bar mounted switch just kills the ignition.
Bikin' John
'93 Honda CB750 Nighthawk

User avatar
jonnythan
Legendary 2000
Legendary 2000
Posts: 2470
Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2006 8:08 am
Sex: Male
My Motorcycle: Year/Make/Model

#22 Unread post by jonnythan »

How important is it to disconnect and drain the carbs? I'm probably looking at 5-6 months of storage for my bike.. can't I just put Stabil in the tank and run it for a little while?
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonnythan/sets/]Flickr.[/url]

User avatar
CycleNewb
Elite
Elite
Posts: 122
Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 7:18 am
Sex: Male
Location: Bergen County, NJ

#23 Unread post by CycleNewb »

This was a good read for me since I'm buying my first bike in the winter and will not be able to ride it untill spring.

Those first couple of payments are gonna suck since I won't be able to ride through Jan-March.

Shorts
Site Supporter - Gold
Site Supporter - Gold
Posts: 3452
Joined: Thu Jun 08, 2006 7:42 pm

#24 Unread post by Shorts »

Ok, a little late, but the bikes is finally put away. Last things taken care of today was drained carbs, coolant good to go, oiled the cylinders wiped down and lubed parts a light wiping of WD40.

My question on the oil in the cylinders. When we turned it over for a sec or two to coat the walls, the excess oil got squirted out the top. No problem now, just wipe the spray and reinstall the plugs.

My concern is when we go to get the bike started up in the spring. Will there still be an excess of oil? How can I make sure there isn't too much oil in there to be detrimental during startup?

(Since the Vulcan's plugs are recessed into the top of the engine, I used a small cc syringe to reach down and get oil in there)

User avatar
BlueBomber
Elite
Elite
Posts: 213
Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2006 6:56 pm
Sex: Male
Location: Canandaigua, New York

#25 Unread post by BlueBomber »

Skier wrote:
BuzZz wrote:I don't know about your bike, but any bike I've ever had anything to with would turn over with this switch (commonly called the 'kill switch') in off. All it deos is ground the spark to the plugs.

It is common to see someone trying to start their bike for several minutes, then realize the switch is in the wrong position. Flick it to run, and it runs.... :shock: and they ride off sheepishly.

I myself have never done this of course.... :whistling:

not that you'll ever prove, anyways....

:mrgreen:
For what it's worth, every bike I've owned doesn't turn the starter if the kill switch is engaged (set to off/stop). But that's only a whopping three bikes.
My bike flashes you enough lights, and does NOTHING and tells you to BLODDY WELL "pee" OFF if you don't turn it to the run position.

sassy freaking bike...

\/\/
Suzuki Boulevard M50 - Bright Blue

User avatar
xj550
Rookie
Rookie
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2009 6:58 am
Sex: Male
Location: Saskatoon, SK

#26 Unread post by xj550 »

Hi all, I read through that artical but have a question.

My bike doesn't have an off position on the fuel petcock, so, is it best to still add the fuel stablization to the tank, run it for 10 minutes, and drain the carbs? Keep in mind that I would have to take off the fuel line coming from the tank and plug both holes to prevent fuel from flowing back into the carbs.
1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim

User avatar
Johnj
Site Supporter - Platinum
Site Supporter - Platinum
Posts: 3806
Joined: Fri Nov 17, 2006 7:34 am
Real Name: Johnny Strabler
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 34
My Motorcycle: A Bolt of Lightning
Location: Kansas City KS

#27 Unread post by Johnj »

Your bike has PRIME/ON/RES so you should leave that on ON. so run the bike for ten minutes or so then shut it off. The gas should not be flowing now. There should be drain plugs on the bottom of your float bowls.
People say I'm stupid and apathetic. I don't know what that means, and I don't care.
Image
Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

User avatar
xj550
Rookie
Rookie
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2009 6:58 am
Sex: Male
Location: Saskatoon, SK

#28 Unread post by xj550 »

Johnj wrote:Your bike has PRIME/ON/RES so you should leave that on ON. so run the bike for ten minutes or so then shut it off. The gas should not be flowing now. There should be drain plugs on the bottom of your float bowls.
Ok thanks, do you think that i should unplug the fuel line from the tank to the carbs? Wont gravity allow some fuel to feed back into the carbs since it is all down hill? I am storing the bike over a -40C five month praire winter.
1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim

User avatar
Johnj
Site Supporter - Platinum
Site Supporter - Platinum
Posts: 3806
Joined: Fri Nov 17, 2006 7:34 am
Real Name: Johnny Strabler
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 34
My Motorcycle: A Bolt of Lightning
Location: Kansas City KS

#29 Unread post by Johnj »

If your petcock is in good shape there will be no gas flowing out of it unless somebody provides a vacuum to it.
People say I'm stupid and apathetic. I don't know what that means, and I don't care.
Image
Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

User avatar
xj550
Rookie
Rookie
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2009 6:58 am
Sex: Male
Location: Saskatoon, SK

#30 Unread post by xj550 »

Great!

Thank you.
1981 Yamaha XJ550 Maxim

Post Reply