Winterizing your Road Bike

You will need a fuel stabilizer, engine oil and a filter, all which can be obtained at your local motorcycle shop,

Fuel stabilizer

you will need some basic tools a drain pan and a place to work.

1st - you want to top up your fuel tank. (we want as little as possible metal exposed to moisture), add your fuel stabilizer to the fuel and run the engine, I like to take a short ride to mix the stabilizer.


2nd - The hot oil change, it is always best to do a hot oil change (you will get most of the old oil drained if it is hot), why change the oil ?. Oil will suspended carbon, moisture etc. within it, when mixed together they make up acids and other nasty stuff,  you don't want this sitting on your engine parts for the next 6 months, another benefit is that in the spring you are ready to go.
Dispose of the wast oil responsibly,  my shop takes used oil from our customers there is no charge, and remember always use caution when working around a hot engine.


3rd - The carburetor. I recommend draining the float bowls.
You will find the drain screw on the lowest point on the float bowl, it is either a phillips, slot or hex head, sometimes getting to the drain can be difficult you may have to remove additional fairing parts etc.
Place a pan under the bike, some carburetors have drain hoses, others do not, for those ones cut a oil container bottom off and makes a small pan to catch the fuel, loosen the drain and let the fuel flow until it stops, do this for each of the carburetors, tighten the drain, Always use caution you are dealing with a flammable liquid, dispose of the fuel responsibly.

3a - If you own a fuel injected engine the stabilizer and hot oil change is all that is needed, there is nothing to drain.

Oxford Maximizer 360T

4th - Battery Storage, you can connect a battery tender to the battery, it will maintain the voltage. There are many types on the market you will pay around $50.00 - 100.00 for one, the battery can remain in the bike.or you could remove it.
I like to leave the battery in my bikes, assuming you have a good charging system and the battery is fully charged, I just disconnect the negative cable. I have done this for years and have had no problems, but before going into service in the spring, i charge the battery, then connect the negative cable, I get 4-5 years of service from my batteries.

Battery Tender JR

Oxford Oximiser 9000

 5th - I like to apply wax to the finish and cover the bike.My bikes are kept in a unheated shelter so i only use a dust cover, if yours sits out side, I recommend a good quality all season cover you can expect pay from $150.00 - $200.00.

I let my bikes sit protected by the storage process and only start them up when, i am ready to ride in the spring.

Any questions you have please contact me. I will do my best to answer them all. 

 

Dirt Devils Spray Lake Trail

This Sunday we were joined by two more riders, we traveled the same route as last week end, 22x out too the 66 and to the powder face trail. At highway forty,we turned left too the only gas station along the 40.
After fueling, we continued about 10 min down the road too the old Fortress turn off, then took the spray lake's road.
We stopped for lunch, then continued into the back side of Canmore, after a short stop at the Rose and Crown, we took the 1A highway home. A great day.
I recommend this trip, allow the entire day its about 350 k and be ready it is dusty.

# 66 Heading West

Waiting For Dave to catch up

A long the powder face trail

Missing one rider

And there he is

The turn on to highway 40

Grouping up before turn

Fuel stop before heading to the spray lakes road

Lunch along the spray lake road

Dylan in his new chair

Spray Lake

After a get off in the gravel, the bag latch broke so we used Roc Straps to hold on the bag

Tank is marked up but not leaking

Beautiful view

Looking down at the town of Canmore

Dave taking pics at the Rose and Crown in Canmore

Last stop at Ghost lake

Powderface Trail

After a busy summer, we finally got out on our adventure bikes for the first ride, its a cool morning bright and sunny, I road my BMW-R100GS for the first time, my son took his KTM-640, and my good friend don was on his KLR-650, we went out Macloed Trail, to 22x to #66 all the way to the end and that is where we found the powder face trail, a gravel road with a lot of dust but what a great day, the fall colors are beautiful., we made our way along the trail to the 68 road, continued left to highway 40, we decided to take a right and have lunch at the Casino on the #1. there are some issues that will need to addressed before next week end, dons needs a new front tire, Myself I will wear my MX gear, all and all it was a great day, everyone agreed next week end we will do the powder and continue to Canmore via the spray lakes road.  

Stopped in Bragg Creek for fuel

1st stop on the trail

Dylan waiting for the old man to catch up

ow some view

If you look at the ridge that is the 68 left is highway 40, right is highway 1

A great ride time for lunch