Winterizing question

[DeannaLee]

Does anyone actually follow the owners manual or shop manual recommendations for winterizing or do you put some STA-BIL in the tank and call it good after removing the battery? It is going to be garage kept for the winter and after reading the manuals on storage tips it seems to be a little over kill to me.

My plans are to put some gas stabilzer in the tank, remove the battery and place on center stand then start it up once every 2-3 weeks. Not sure it I am going to make a stand for the front end or do as recommended and place a block onthe exhaust to keep the front tire off of the ground.

Any thoughts. Thank you.

[Bubba Zanetti]

Once you put the Sta-Bil in with the gas (have a full tank of gas) make sure you run the bike too. You want the Sta-bil in the carbs.

I ride the 97 sporadically so I always put stabil in during fill ups. It doesn't hurt anything.

BZ

[squirrelman]

stuff something in the exhaust pipe to keep out moisture...... NO! NOT your cat!!

AS for starting the engine......

OK....... a long-standing, ages-old, dispute exists between two opposing camps. Some say starting is good; others, like myself believe that starting cold engines causes unecessary WEAR, especially to engine bearings and accomplishes little besides contaminating oil and scuffing cylinders.
SO save the starting for New Years Eve and next spring.....

IMO: the only time the engine should be started is to ride the bike
.....briefly cranking the motor on the starter only, without starting it up, MIGHT be OK.

(The worst of all storage technique is to keep running the bike just to charge the battery!!!....some do!)

ALSO ...draining carbs through floatbowls is good, preventative medicine and helps prevent hemorrhoids.