Winter hibernation

Got our first heavy snowfall, so time to get the bikes ready for winter...now for the commando, I did an oil and filter change about 300 miles ago, and the oil looks real clean. Bike will be stored in a heated garage for 6 months, so just wondering if you think it necessary to do another oil change, or leave the oil, and change it after 500 miles of riding next spring? Also, heard of draining all the oil, then leaving the bike dry til spring, to avoid wet sumping, and leaks...
any thoughts on this? Thanks

LAY IT UP :shock: , Time to Fit the Spiked Tyres . ! :lol: .

If youre oils in you can fire it up periodically to demoisturise it .
tecnically upright , Weight OFF Tyres . Dust cloth over it .

And I thought it was the time for all the fine tuneing and improvements . :wink:

You could get right carried away , & drain ALL fluids . G'box , Forks , etc . Collect oil in white ice cream containers ,
let settle then pour into storage jars to observe , and inspect the reminants for contamination . Thoroughly inspect
inside the oil tank , and anywhere thats produced grotty remains , flush then refill . Youve got six months.Hop to It .

I thought wet sumping was a feature. Keeps the crank and bottom end oiled. If your space is heated, shouldn't be any issue with condensation.

I just put it up on the centre stand and if a good day comes along out it comes.

Dave
69S

I thought for long-term storage that the centerstand was a bad idea?, I have always been told that you should store a Commando on the wheels to keep from loading up the Iso's.

Vince

If you are in a heated garage and just changed it , I wouldnt worry at all with only 300 miles.
I also wouldnt start it unless you are going to ride it and get it really hot. It will just add moisture to the oil.
I dont start my bikes at all during storage. Unheated garage.
MikeM

I would advise if laying up, whether in a heated or unheated garage, to remove spark plugs ad pour a egg cup full of two stroke oil or even Redex into cylinders, turn engine over & refit plugs, don’t fire up at all till the spring.
If your oil wet sumps, let it.
Spray all chrome after cleaning with WD40.
In the spring when you want to use the bike again, drain oil from sump, remove plugs and with a rag over the plug hole, kick over each cylinder in turn before firing up.

Unclviny said:

I thought for long-term storage that the centerstand was a bad idea?, I have always been told that you should store a Commando on the wheels to keep from loading up the Iso's.

Vince

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I've heard various thoughts on that. Mine has the centre stand on the frame, newer ones on the cradle, not sure either makes any difference to the isos, they are going to wear out anyhow just being there. I think getting the weight off the tyres is a good idea. Isn't the engine/cradle about the same weight as the frame and parts? I'm not sure.

Dave
69S

wolldn't the best thing for the iso's be laying the bike on it's side. that would completly unload them. Then you could get a pillow and a blanket so the bike could be comfortable for it's nap :roll: