Hey,

I just moved up north to Toronto Canada from Florida... and I have a question about properly winterizing my 04 FLHRSI.

I've got the tank full of gas and will be putting stabilizer in too... but my question is about the tires.

I bought a 1,500 lb Torin bike lift to get the tires off the ground, because I heard that they will develop a flat spot if left on cold concrete.

But, the lift doesn't hold. I don't know if its the cold air in the garage or what, but it eventually lowers to ground again after 2 days. Is this a faulty lift? or should I just activate the locking bar to hold it up? I'm a little scared about that because if the locking bar pops out, I don't want the bike to fall down.

Is there something else better to do? What If I just buy some wood and lay some carpet over it, and leave the bike on 2 wheels on that???

Please help. I hate the cold and I need some advice!!!

 

What the hell are you doing moving from Florida, to here silly. Just kidding...welcome to the great white north. I am about half hour north of Toronto, and it's snowing right now. I put my Street Glide away about two weeks ago in my garage. It is on the lift, elevated only about 1 inch from the ground, just for the tires not to touch the concrete. My lift isn't a really expensive model, so far so good. Just make sure nothing comes into contact with the lift or the bike, and make sure you have the battery plugged into the tender or remove it from the bike. You'll be buying a new one if you don't... Good luck !

 

Main thing (besides the battery deal) DON'T (ever) start it unless you intend to ride it enough to get it up to temp. Yea, I know everybody does once in a while, but moisture condenses inside the engine/tranny/primary. Unless you run one on the road for a while to get things up to temp, it'll just make an H2O film everywhere, especially in places it wouldn't normally. Put some fuel stabilizer in the tank and run it a few minutes at least to work it into the system. And when you get ready to change out the oil(s) after sitting how ever long in the winter, ride it first, a good bit, to "cook out" the moisture and thin everything so it'll drain out better. (I'm speaking of sludge, not just thinning the oil)

 

Allways use the locking mechinism on your lift, most of them will leak down after a period of time. A battery tender is nice to have any time you leave the bike set.

 

I second the what the heck are you doing moving from Florida. Couldn't it wait until spring?? Looks like it's going to be a long cold winter boys... Welcome from New Bruinswick. Pulls the plugs and put a bit of oil down each cylinder, hit the starter a couple of time, reinstall the plugs and prey for warmer weather.

 

In addition to all mentioned I learned today to put an anti-seize compound on the plug threads prior to reinstall. Easy 'nuf. A buddy of mine says he rides his not less than twice/mo through winter here in Memphis. Consistent 20^ temps? I'm not sure I've that resolve, but I've never owned a 09RKC either . We shall see...

Happy Thanksgiving all!!

 

I store mine in an unheated shed, so I use 2" of styrofoam under my tires to keep them off the cold floors....and also put 2" of wood under jiffy stand to keep same lean angle.
Along with the sta-bil in a full tank of fuel, fresh oil and filter,
a good cleaning....nice comfy blanket and battery tender.

 

You are going to have to watch this real close! Your bike is trying to sneak off the lift and return to Florida.

I am not familiar with your lift but I use the locking mechanism on mine without worry. Just looking at it it is obvious it won't fail. If you are not comfortable leaving it on the lift you could over inflate the tires by a few pounds and roll the bike back and forth a couple of times over the winter.

I keep mine on the lift mostly because it saves space, secondly it is a little easer on the air shocks, thirdly because I like the way it looks, a distant fourth would be flat spots on the tires.

 

If you're concerned about your lift failing, puts some blocks under the frame to support the bike.....March will be here in no time

-Bill-

 

I am not admitting defeat until the snow hits and I changed the oil 1500 miles ago. I will sneak in a ride any chance I get and with a little luck "winterizing" will not have to happen. I do keep the battery on the tender during the week since I can never ride Monday-Friday. Yes, it's a sad life.

spiz