Is winter a good time to work on the bike?

[seestheday]

I was originally thinking that winter would be the perfect time to clean my carbs, and possibly redo some seals (seem to be leaking some oil).

Now I'm not so sure.  I just put seafoam in the tank and filled it up.  Battery will be coming out tonight.  It was already on its last legs though, so I'll probably just buy a new one at the beginning of next season.

Will I be causing any problems if I drain the fluids from the carbs, engine etc?  My bike has a difficult time starting when it's cold, so I doubt that firing it up for at least 3 months will be easy (I'm in Canada).

[TOOLS1]

Perfect time to work on the bike.
TOOLS

[shinyribs]

It'll probably cost me more in heating oil than what the bike is worth,but i plan to fiddle with mine this winter.Sure beats plopping on the couch and staring at the TV all night.

[sgtslag]

It depends on what you plan to do.  Draining the carbs won't hurt anything, as the floats will eventually evaporate off any gasoline in them, anyway.  The fuel tank, however, is another story:  any air space will lead to water condensation, and rust, as discussed previously.

Draining the oil from the engine, and leaving it empty for three months, won't hurt anything, as there will be a thin film of oil on the internals.  It boils down to what your shop is like.  If it is heated, go for it, as long as you can pay for the heat.  Unheated, your shop will not be a fun place, period.

If you plan on starting your bike, periodically, remember to closely watch the fuel tank.  As the gas level drops, be sure to top it off, to avoid condensation (pre-mix gasoline, and SeaFoam, so you will be topping it with the correct mixture -- a 1-2 gallon gas can will be plenty).  Make certain to run the engine long enough to warm the engine's oil, in the crankcase, to at least 180 F, preferably 212 F/100 C, to boil off any water that forms as a byproduct of combustion.  A non-contact, IR thermometer is a good way to monitor the engine's temperature.  Be aware that the cylinder heads will likely get to around 300 F, but the transmission, and the oil, will be much cooler, so measure the temperature down low, not up high.

I'd recommend using Shell Rotella T6, 5W-40 oil, in the engine over the Winter.  The 5 viscosity will make the engine think it is July, not January.  It is very thin, when cold, so the engine will spin over easily.  It thickens up to 40 viscosity, as it heats up, so you won't damage anything (Honda spec'ed the bike for 10W-40, I know, but the 5 viscosity won't last long).

Just be certain you will finish what you start...  Leaving parts lying about for months, is not a good idea.  If you tear it down, you need to be committed to putting it back together, within days, not months.  It's kind of like losing socks in the laundry -- need I say more?  Cheers!

[Lucky 1]

Bring the bike inside and watch TV while you work on the bike and only use 1/2 the heating oil.
Just use a scrap of rug .

[shinyribs]

Or you can do what this guy did.I think its a wonderful idea.

[seestheday]

Ha! Do you think getting it up and down the stairs will be a problem? :-)

Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

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From: "donald branscom [via Honda CB750'S]" <[hidden email]>

Date: Sat, 29 Oct 2011 23:28:24 -0700 (PDT)

To: seestheday<[hidden email]>

Subject: Re: Is winter a good time to work on the bike?

Bring the bike inside and watch TV while you work on the bike and only use 1/2 the heating oil.
Just use a scrap of rug .

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[shinyribs]

No.You can get it up the stairs.I would suggest a ramp and a lot of throttle

[TOOLS1]

Getting it down will be even easier.
TOOLS

[seestheday]

Thanks sgtslag,
I already have the tank topped up with the seafoam mixed in, and the Rotella T6 in the engine.  After putting it in I started to notice oil leaks that weren't there before, so I'm guessing that is the detergents that are revealing where my seals/gaskets are going.  My garage isn't heated, so I am only planning on working in there during November or during unseasonably warm spells.  Otherwise Dec-Feb will be way too cold.

Given how much trouble I've had starting it when it's only been close to zero, I doubt I'll even attempt to start it when it's even colder.

Thanks for all the tips guys.