March 20, 2022
Don’t Let the Winter Season Wreak Havoc on Your Motorbike
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Motorcycles can be damaged by snow and cold weather. Heavy snow can leave them with a dead battery or corrosion and rust spots. That’s why bikers need to winterize their two-wheelers during the cold season.
Whether it’s your first time to get your motorcycle ready for storage or you’ve winterized it before but aren’t sure if you did it right, now is the best time to learn a few tricks that can help your bike stand up to the freezing weather.
6 Tips to Help You Get Your Motorcycle Ready for Winter Storage
When it’s too cold outside, you have no other choice but to put your bike to bed. However, if you think that draping a sheet over it is enough to protect it from its sworn enemy, which is rust, think again. Veteran Car Donations shows you the right way to get your bike ready for winter storage.
- Secure your battery.
A sure-fire way to kill your motorcycle battery is to let it sit all winter without recharging. Since good batteries don’t come cheap, you wouldn’t want yours to suffer this fate. If you want to make sure that your battery charge is topped off all winter, you might want to install an automated trickle charger harnessed with a pigtail lead that’s plugged in.
- Fill up the tank and stabilize the fuel.
Did you know that leaving half a tank of untreated gasoline in your bike while it sits hibernating in the garage can cause rust to form on the inside of the tank? To avoid this, you need to fill up the tank before storing your bike.
It’s important to note that long periods devoid of riding cause gunk and grime to build up in the engine. Since deteriorating gasoline can do nasty things to your engine, you need to keep the fuel fresh with a gas stabilizer chemical. You need to start your bike and let it run for five minutes after filling up the tank and adding the stabilizer. This gives the stabilizer enough time to mix with the fuel and get through your fuel system.
- Shove an oily rag in the intake and the exhaust pipe.
Rodents won’t hesitate to sneak into your motorcycle’s airbox and chew up the air filter. When this happens, your bike won’t start. If you don’t want to give mice and rats a chance to take up residence in your airbox, be sure to stuff an oily rag in the intake and the exhaust pipe.
- Spray lube down the spark plug hole.
You can protect your rings and cylinder from corrosion and rust by spraying some lube down the spark plug hole before packing your bike away for the winter.
- Stand your bike up.
Take some weight off your tires by using a center stand to put your bike up. Otherwise, your tires will get flat spots on the areas where they were in contact with the ground. You may also use a paddock stand or a bike jack to get the job done if you don’t have a center stand.
- Use a motorcycle cover.
A high-quality motorcycle cover is a smart investment. However, instead of using a plastic tarp, opt for the breathable fabric cover. This prevents moisture from building up.
Got an Old Bike That’s Giving You Trouble? Here’s How to Make Good Use of It
If you have an old motorcycle that has seen better days, winterizing it won’t make any difference. Instead of wasting precious money trying to protect it from its winter hibernation, you’d be better off if you simply purchase a new bike or a car. That’s the best way to assure your safety on the road.
Meantime, you can still make good use of your old motorcycle — or any other type of unwanted vehicle that you have — by donating it to us at Veteran Car Donations. We’ll your motor vehicle to improve the living conditions of the needy veterans and their families in your area.
Our team will auction off your donated vehicle and hand over the proceeds to our veteran-focused IRS-approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit partners. These charities cater to former members of our armed forces who are suffering from homelessness, chronic unemployment, service-connected disabilities, and serious illnesses, including mental health conditions.
Our charity partners use the funding that we give them to provide their beneficiaries with free quality health care, financial aid, housing assistance, employment opportunities, family support, educational scholarships, psychotherapy services, and many other benefits.
Your charitable contribution will also benefit you in more ways than one. You’ll get to enjoy our free towing service, which is available to our donors anywhere in the country. You’ll also find satisfaction from our quick and convenient donation process where you don’t have to do any paperwork.
Plus, you’ll have the privilege of receiving the maximum tax deduction in the next tax season.
To top it off, you’ll have the ultimate pleasure of doing something extraordinary that can enable our nation’s unsung heroes to finally live the decent and dignified life that they’ve long been dreaming of.
We accept almost all vehicle types, including those that are no longer working properly.
Check out our FAQs page for more information on our donation program. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call us anytime through our toll-free hotline at 877-594-5822 or you may send us a message here.
Touch the Lives of Our Suffering Heroes Today!
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Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of the distressed veterans in your community? Your car donation will surely bring them relief. Call Veteran Car Donations at 877-594-5822 or fill out our secure online donation form now!
Last Updated: March 8th, 2023