Winter hibernation question - Ducati.ms

xamunrex · Nov 25th, 2011, 12:06 pm

So today may be the last day I take the bike out riding for a long time, unless we get some unseasonably warm days over the winter. My tank already has significant expansion, so I'm trying to figure out any ways to reduce further spreading.

This may have been covered elsewhere, so I apologize in advance if I missed it. I've ready several opinions about what to do, either keeping a full tank and using some stabilizer...or completely emptying the tank, etc.

Since I would like to take it out (hopefully) a couple times over the winter, I would prefer to keep some gas in the tank. So my question is pretty simple. Is there any reason that would be bad to keep a full tank, but just leave the lid open a little bit? Would this prevent the risk of expansion, and would it have any other possible harmful effects? I'm assuming there will be some evaporation, etc...but how much? Any input is appreciated, thanks!

amehl · Nov 25th, 2011, 12:24 pm

From what I understand you WANT a full tank with stabilizer. With more gas in the tank, there is less air volume for moisture to get in and rust your tank.

BaconAndScotch · Nov 25th, 2011, 12:41 pm

If it's a plastic tank, empty it. Make sure it's dried out.

happiness is golden · Nov 25th, 2011, 12:46 pm

I agree with the above poster.
+ oil change. Do not want chemicals stored in the engine.
Wash bike.
Plug any holes you have, i.e. exhaust, any small overflow pipes.
I plug the small rubber pipes with a sharpened pencil.
Do not want any thing moving in.
If you can put the bike on stands.
If that is not possible onto dry wooden plank.
For stabiliser I use seafoam, or anything that is as good, local store.
Run the engine so the stabiliser gets into the system.
Personally I would not run the bike every now and then for rides.
Disconnect the battery and put it on a trickle charge, not a full charger, or it will do damage to the cells.
Another tip is every month disconnect the trickle charger for about a minute or two.
I was given that tip by a bike mechanic, to which he said helps to keep the battery in a good state of trickle charge.
Bring the battery into the warm if possible, not on a concrete floor.
Wash and polish the bike to form a barrier against any moisture.
Cover the bike with either a proper cover or something that will breath and not keep the condensation in.
That should be generally enough to keep all good.
You can google for information on storing a bike.
Then wait for the spring and then there is another set of protocol to perform.

Hope this helps.

xamunrex · Nov 25th, 2011, 1:30 pm

Thanks for the responses guys. A lot of good info...sounds like I'm going to put together a comprehensive checklist to take care of in the next couple of weeks. Also, this reminds me that I need to just move somewhere that has nice riding weather year round. And someplace a little more scenic than central Indiana

BaconAndScotch · Nov 25th, 2011, 2:30 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by xamunrex

Thanks for the responses guys. A lot of good info...sounds like I'm going to put together a comprehensive checklist to take care of in the next couple of weeks. Also, this reminds me that I need to just move somewhere that has nice riding weather year round. And someplace a little more scenic than central Indiana

I'm from nw Ohio, but i'm stationed in Georgia. Much better riding here...

**Chuckracer** · Nov 25th, 2011, 5:38 pm

I think the majority of that is overkill.

I'll have a couple gallons of non-ethanol gas in the tank with some Seafoam (insert your favorite fuel stabilizer here), a battery tender plugged in...and that's it. The oil was changed less than 1000 miles ago so that's fine, and I don't start the bike unless I'm going to ride it.

The rest of it described above is fine if the bike is going to be parked for a couple years, but five months or so is not really "storage" to a motorcycle. It's just a long pause.

JMO!

ttpete · Nov 25th, 2011, 6:26 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuckracer

I think the majority of that is overkill.

I'll have a couple gallons of non-ethanol gas in the tank with some Seafoam (insert your favorite fuel stabilizer here), a battery tender plugged in...and that's it. The oil was changed less than 1000 miles ago so that's fine, and I don't start the bike unless I'm going to ride it.

The rest of it described above is fine if the bike is going to be parked for a couple years, but five months or so is not really "storage" to a motorcycle. It's just a long pause.

JMO!

Same here. Battery tender, covered, and I stick stainless pot scrubbers in the pipes to keep the critters out. Takes ten minutes to get it ready to ride if I get a nice day.

curveman99 · Nov 25th, 2011, 7:59 pm

Seafoam and try to get good ethanol free gas!
I pull my plugs and spray lite WD40 cold crank spring start up with new oil/Filter, don't put that many miles on the oil to change it before winter unless I'm using cheaper oil which I don't.

Keywords: ethanol free! BAD for us winter people and our bikes.

Good point " Happy G" about plugging up holes