You're worried in case your holidays stop?[/quote]Quote:
Originally Posted by Squashed_Fly
That's abuse! I vote that you're banned.
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You're worried in case your holidays stop?[/quote]Quote:
Originally Posted by Squashed_Fly
That's abuse! I vote that you're banned.
You're worried in case your holidays stop?[/quote]Quote:
Originally Posted by dan_geoghegan
That's abuse! I vote that you're banned.[/quote]
Lol, yeah - guilty as charged! ;D ;D
Quote:
Originally Posted by spudgun
actually that won't charge the battery, on most bikes the charging circuit doesn't become active until around 5000 rpm. it will get the fluids circulating and if you take it up to the point where the fan kicks in it will help.
if the bike is stored then after you have run it up to temperature, turn the bike off, the fan might still run for a bit and then put a cover over the bike. if we get a cold snapo like last year you will need to try and keep as muich heat in the metal of the engine as you can.
check the coolant levels and strength - you don't want it freezing - ask scotty.
is the bike to be stored in a garage/shed or outside ?
if you are not going to use it for a long time and it's outside i would personally
strengthen the coolant
remove the battery and keep it in the house
cover everything including the brake discs is wd40 and fs365 - you can always degrease when you want to start riding again.
put a couple of blankets over the bike - charity shops are always a good source
then get a waterproof cover/plastic sheet and put that over the bike.
for good measure - if you have them, put the bike up on stands to prevent cold transfer from the ground damaging the tyres.
Quick question - didn't Scotty's 'accident' happen because he had just water in the rad, and no coolant/anti freeze as it was a track bike?
If the system is dry completely, is that ok in the cold weather as no liquid to expand when frozen? Mine is dry now as it was all drained to do the valve clearances, and I'm not sure if it should be re filled with coolant, or of it's ok to be left dry until I want to use it again in the spring....
If it's dry then there is nothing to Freeze therefore nothing to expand and crack lovely engine blocks.
Well it makes sense in my head anyway. ::)
Put a cover over it, disconnect the battery and you'll be fine.
The bike is outside with a cover over it...unfortunately these days they dont build houses with garadges! And only one car parking space per house!!!
Thank you all! xxx
Quote:
Originally Posted by billinom8
actually that won't charge the battery, on most bikes the charging circuit doesn't become active until around 5000 rpm.......
remove the battery and keep it in the house
[/quote]
Not actually true regarding not charging.
To prove it, put a meter across the batery terminals with the motor turned off - you'll get about 11.5 volts.
Start the motor and run it at idle then meter the battery again - it'll show between 14 and 15 volts, assuming your charging circuit it working properly.
Even if you remove your battery and store it inside, a battery will naturally self discharge itself to destruction after about 3 months.
The best method bar none is to stick the battery on a battery tender (Optimate, Oxford, Accumen, etc ).
Don't use a 'trickle charger' as you'll run the risk of slowly cooking the cells.
Best method of all is to ride it on those crisp, dry winter days, as long as there's not too much salt about and put the grin back on yer face ;)
I would suggest 11.5v is too low for a battery in tip top condition, mine are at 12.8v after being left for a few days.
There's loads of differences of opinion on charging lead/acid, AGM and GEL batteries. Mine are AGM's and I keep them topped up on an Optimate but I still ride through the winter when the weather allows it.