Winter Maintenance info

[RCR]

Hi, Like to start a thread covering the winter maintenance of the 05/06/07 ST . I will be tearing the bike apart in frustration of not being able to ride for 4 months. I pulled the fairing off the other night after a little patients and many screws or was it many patients and little screws:rave: I couldn't believe all the hardware holding the plastic on...Pulled the Air filter and was pissed at myself for leaving it so long (6000 miles) i would like to follow up on those issues we have all read about over the last year. so far i cant see and leaks or anything obvious. Any input will be appreciated! RCR

[ERR]

What are you planning that required removing the rear plastic?

[RCR]

Err, i removed the rear plastic just to make it  possible to completely inspect the bike and make sure i didin't scratch anything over the winter. Any idea's how i can get the fuel out of the tank.....Want to put it in the basement, but dont want to blow the family up! RCR

[Capirex]

Syphon it out.  Just be careful not to swallow any gas.  

[bubba zanetti]

Err, i removed the rear plastic just to make it  possible to completely inspect the bike and make sure i didin't scratch anything over the winter. Any idea's how i can get the fuel out of the tank.....Want to put it in the basement, but dont want to blow the family up! RCR

Open gas cap, turn tank upside over a bucket or suitably wide recepticle and pour out gas. Pour gas into container through a filter.

Or just put stabil in tank and leave till spring.

[pushr0d]

I'd think the only requirements for winter storage for any bike is fuel treatment, battery tender (of some brand or another) and maybe put it on the centerstand (or blocks) to take some weight off the tires.
 
It's always nice to give it a nice bath and wax before bedtime, too.

[RCR]

True enough Pushrod, i would normally put a bike to bed for the winter with some battery babysitting and fuel stabilizer but i havent touched this bike since new and i would like to adjust the throttle cable,check  the rear linkage bolt there were some issues of and try a few other mods i have been reading about. besides i just finished putting the garage teogether and bought a bike lift so i better put it to use. RCR

[etachell]

RCR where did you get your bike lift?  That thing is sweet and would make maintenance very nice.
 
If you haven't changed oil in a while, I'd do that before letting it sit for the winter.  Combustion byproducts that get into the oil can get quite corrosive.  Fresh oil won't have this problem.
 
I found that moisture/water gets into the spark plug wells on my 1050 S3 and causes lots of rust and corrosion to the threads, head aluminum, and the plugs themselves.  It also can tear up the plug boots on the coils.  I've been fighting this problem since day one.  I've tried sealing the plug wells with no luck and now I'm thinking of better venting.
 
This would also be a good time to grease the rear shock linkage and swingarm bearings.  I think there are grease zerks for these, but haven't looked yet.
 
A shot of lube in the throttle and clutch cables is always a good idea.  I actually use bicycle chain wax called White Lightning.  Comes out like water and flows through the cable easily.  It then dries to a nice waxy coating.  Been using this stuff your years on my sport quad and has worked great.  It never gums up either.
 
I'm sure you know, but K&N now sells a filter for our bikes for about $45-$50.  I don't know how much the factory one is, but I bet it's not far from that.  This came out after I made my own reusable air filter.
 
Pull that front sprocket cover off and clean out all the chain slop.  The speed sensor is not in the cover like the jap bikes so it's easy to pull of and clean.
 
That's all the ideas I got.

[RCR]

Etachell, thanks for the tips and advice. Appreciate it! I picked up the lift at a tool sale a couple weeks back couldn't resist for the price. RCR