How to winterize your motorcycle

[autonoob]

It's the time of the year again, thank you for sharing a new video.

[autonoob]

It's the time of the year again, thank you for sharing a new video.

[WingAdmin]

I bought a 2004 GL1800 this year. The previous owner had installed a "Battery Float" charger in the Left Trunk. It happens to be the CenTech one that was mentioned NOT to get in the Winterizing Video. What does it do to the battery? Over Charge?

Yes, it is sold as an intelligent float charger, but it is nothing of the kind. It puts out a constant current even when the battery reaches a full state of charge. This wrecks the battery, and if it is a wet cell battery, it boils off the electrolyte.

I actually killed two brand-new, $120 batteries using those damn things.

[waldedg]

Thanks!!
I will be trading it out for the one you suggested in the video.

[WingAdmin]

Thanks!!
I will be trading it out for the one you suggested in the video.

The Battery Tender Jr really is great - I have probably 5 or 6 of them on various batteries around the house.

Find This Item on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CITK8S?tag=goldwingdocs-20

[Oldbear]

Thanks!!
I will be trading it out for the one you suggested in the video.

The Battery Tender Jr really is great - I have probably 5 or 6 of them on various batteries around the house.

We have a few at home and more than a few at work (just so happens that I'm the purchaser...). I'm a fan of the Battery Tender brand for smart chargers.

Find This Item on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CITK8S?tag=goldwingdocs-20

[waldedg]

Any thoughts on the 750 mA over the 1.25 Amp version?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CITK8S/?tag=goldwingdocs-20 ... _lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DJ5KEEA/?tag=goldwingdocs-20 ... _lig_dp_it

Find This Item on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CITK8S?tag=goldwingdocs-20

[Oldbear]

Any thoughts on the 750 mA over the 1.25 Amp version?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CITK8S/?tag=goldwingdocs-20 ... _lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DJ5KEEA/?tag=goldwingdocs-20 ... _lig_dp_it

I personally have both. The little one was originally bought for the kids' Power Wheels (I installed a lawn tractor battery after a few modifications) and the bigger ones had been for Wing and the classic car (68 Olds 98). The car is gone now and the little charger keeps the Suzuki fully charged, the bigger charger is on the RV batteries over the winter. We mount the bigger units under the hood of our Peace Officers patrol units with it hooked to an auto-eject plug (the cameras and computer run for about two hours when they get back to the office at the end of a shift). All of them work great and that is with the daily abuse of patrol trucks/SUVs.

Find This Item on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CITK8S?tag=goldwingdocs-20

[WingAdmin]

Any thoughts on the 750 mA over the 1.25 Amp version?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CITK8S/?tag=goldwingdocs-20 ... _lig_dp_it

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DJ5KEEA/?tag=goldwingdocs-20 ... _lig_dp_it

The only difference is that if the battery is discharged, the 1.25A version will bring it back up to 100% SOC a bit faster than the 750 mA version. Once it's at 100%, the current delivery in float/maintenance mode is negligible.

If you are using it on something that gets discharged a lot and depending on the Battery Tender to bring it back up to full charge, then the higher current version might be preferable. If it's a bike, where it's most likely at full charge already (because you just rode it) and you're looking to keep it that way, then the 750 mA version will work just fine.

Actually, you might in that case want to look at something like the 10 amp version - it is selectable between 2, 6 and 10 amp charge, and you can also adjust it for specific battery chemistries: flooded cell lead, AGM, lithium, or just use it as a 12 volt power supply. It also has Wifi in case you want to check your battery state using your phone.

https://www.amazon.com/Deltran-Corporat ... ef=sr_1_13

Find This Item on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2WZ7C5?tag=goldwingdocs-20

[scaner60]

Great article and I agree with all of it but would add one more thing. Like most bike riders, I leave a battery pigtail installed so I just have to plug it in for the winter. Recently I had problems keeping the battery charged and found that one of the pigtail cables stopped working. Nothing will tell you it’s not working but trying to charge a battery with only one cable will kill the battery. I found this out the hard way, actually thought it was the alternator but my bike is an 1800, 2001 with ABS and less then 75k miles. I’ve never heard of an 1800 needing a new alternator so soon. The earlier models had stater problems but not this. Bottom line, just be sure the pigtails are good before using them.

[GBKid]

I have a 2000 GL1500SE and I was unable to get the engine to run dry after pulling the vacuum hose from the automatic petcock and letting it run for about 20 minutes. Is it possible the petcock is sticking and needs replacement?

[DarthJ]

To make it easier to charge, I ran a long pigtail from the battery to the right trunk pocket, and also added a port om the pocket door so I don't have to pull a panel or open the pocket.

[WingAdmin]

I have a 2000 GL1500SE and I was unable to get the engine to run dry after pulling the vacuum hose from the automatic petcock and letting it run for about 20 minutes. Is it possible the petcock is sticking and needs replacement?

That's definitely not right. It sounds like it is sticking, or leaking. You don't need to buy a new one, it's fairly quick, easy and cheap to rebuild the one you have. Have a look at: How to rebuild your petcock

You can get rebuild kits here: https://www.amazon.com/Show-Chrome-Acce ... ref=sr_1_3

Find This Item on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FR85SOI?tag=goldwingdocs-20

[GBKid]

Thanks. I rebuilt one before on my previous Wing. I’ll get the rebuild kit and fix it.

[dayser]

Good reminders..thanks much....My bikes live in a heated garage..so that helps...

[plenzmeier]

Fun Fact (or correction): Regarding step 3 under "my own procedures", to distribute the fresh oil without starting the engine, you absolutely can do this on a GL1800 using this method. Turn on ignition, open the throttle fully and hold, then press the starter button. The engine will spin freely without firing since this disables the ignition. I have used this method for years and it is useful for various maintenance tasks. Credit Stu Oltman, former technical editor of Wing World for the tip.

[Grab2366]

Good advice. Plugging the battery into a trickle charger is really adds to its life span.

[plenzmeier]

Keep in mind, a "trickle charger" and a "battery maintainer" are two different things. I would not recommend keeping a trickle charger on your battery all winter as that will cook it, shortening it's life drastically.

[WingAdmin]

Keep in mind, a "trickle charger" and a "battery maintainer" are two different things. I would not recommend keeping a trickle charger on your battery all winter as that will cook it, shortening it's life drastically.

Correct. A trickle charger left on a motorcycle battery for any amount of time will pretty much destroy that battery. On the other hand, intelligent chargers like a Battery Tender Jr are designed to be left connected indefinitely, and will extend the life of your battery.

Incidentally, Battery Tender Jr's got up over $50 during the pandemic, nice to see they're back down around $29. I own several.

Find This Item on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CITK8S?tag=goldwingdocs-20

[Honda#18]

Hi there Scott, great article. I'm making a reference list for myself to winterize my GL1800 and Shadow Aero. I have two questions however. Do you drain any engine oil prior to adding the 1/2 can of Sea-Foam so that the reservoir does not exceed the maximum oil level? Secondly, could you provide a link to "UnWinterize" the motorcycle? I was under the impression that if it was properly winterized, all that would be necessary is to check the tire pressure and then you're good to go. Thank you.

[WingAdmin]

Hi there Scott, great article. I'm making a reference list for myself to winterize my GL1800 and Shadow Aero. I have two questions however. Do you drain any engine oil prior to adding the 1/2 can of Sea-Foam so that the reservoir does not exceed the maximum oil level? Secondly, could you provide a link to "UnWinterize" the motorcycle? I was under the impression that if it was properly winterized, all that would be necessary is to check the tire pressure and then you're good to go. Thank you.

Half a can of Seafoam isn't going to overfill the reservoir (especially if the bike is using any oil at all - which most do). If you're worried, you could loosen off the oil filter for a few seconds and drain half a pint of oil out...but I never bothered.

As for un-winterizing, I generally did a quick clean up, top up the tires, then a crank without start for 30 seconds or so to fill the oil galleys, then start it up and go!

I talk about that crank process in this video:



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[Dan92GWas]

He is dead on about the Hondaline Spray Cleaner and Polish...all I ever used on Bikes and my Mustang!

does this work on the plastic"chrome" pieces. everything I use leaves smear marks
I am new to this motorcycle stuff

[WingAdmin]

He is dead on about the Hondaline Spray Cleaner and Polish...all I ever used on Bikes and my Mustang!

does this work on the plastic"chrome" pieces. everything I use leaves smear marks
I am new to this motorcycle stuff

It works amazingly well on the plastic chrome.

[Bonnie and Clyde]

Sadly I ran my carbs dry yesterday after my work commute, using info from the video here about the petcock vacuum line. Then topped the tank up with NON ethanol with marine stabil. Its been cold and icy and I don't want to drop it.

[gfdxchief]

Silly question - at what point should I consider winterizing? I live in Virginia, and while it gets cold and snows periodically, I am usually able to get out at least once a month throughout the year on my 1999 GL1500. When not riding, I have it on a tender, and on the center stand. Just changed the oil and filter this fall. Am I hurting anything by doing 1-2 rides a month, with maybe 4-6 weeks between rides, or are there things I should think about to prepare it for a winter's nap rather than a full winterization?