Taking it out of winter storage

[john 07]

When it gets up to near 50's im going to take my bike for a spin. Its in storage right now. what are somethings i should do before taking it for a ride??

[katman05]

This should give you all the info you need

http://www.motorcycleanchor.com/motorcycle/how_to/mc_storage.html

[WildKat]

Yep between CP's link posted there and searching the KR forums you'll be more than ready when you take your bike out of storage.

Speaking of storage, ..I miss my kat again

[freight dog]

The first warm spell in March or after, the bike is going back on the road. Just about got all the parts together already: fresh oil, new filter, brake fluid, and spark plugs. I already cleaned the air filter and checked the valve adjustment again....oh, waiting on my cowl too!

I bought a jet kit and an advancer, but I want to make sure it is running OK before I start monkeying with the carbs.

[Phoenix_Rising]

whats winter storage?

[Kat-A-Tonic]

The first warm spell in March or after, the bike is going back on the road. Just about got all the parts together already: fresh oil, new filter, brake fluid, and spark plugs. I already cleaned the air filter and checked the valve adjustment again....oh, waiting on my cowl too!

I bought a jet kit and an advancer, but I want to make sure it is running OK before I start monkeying with the carbs.

Wow, it looks like someone can't wait for good riding weather! I have to admit I've been anxiously waiting as well.

[skasner]

The first warm spell in March or after, the bike is going back on the road. Just about got all the parts together already: fresh oil, new filter, brake fluid, and spark plugs. I already cleaned the air filter and checked the valve adjustment again....oh, waiting on my cowl too!

I bought a jet kit and an advancer, but I want to make sure it is running OK before I start monkeying with the carbs.

dang freightdog, you've modded the pooh out of that new Kat of yours. last i saw, all you had was the C.A. integrated tailight and the rest was stock.

whenever that semi-warm day comes in march... don't forget to give your buddy sam a call and we'll go for a ride.

[skasner]

my poor kitty won't start... so far the theories i've heard are partially dead battery (even though tender says its good) and/or hydro lock from not draining the carbs before i put it away.

all i know is when i hit my starter it makes this buzzing/crackling noise and the engine doesnt turn at all. it started just fine when i put it away in november.

[md86]

Try jumping it ?

[The CyberPoet]

my poor kitty won't start... so far the theories i've heard are partially dead battery (even though tender says its good) and/or hydro lock from not draining the carbs before i put it away.

all i know is when i hit my starter it makes this buzzing/crackling noise and the engine doesnt turn at all. it started just fine when i put it away in november.

Check the battery voltage -- if it's under 12.7 volts, replace the battery. Battery tender only tells you how much charge the battery will take at that instant, not whether it's ability to take a charge is bad. A permanently depleted battery will report say it's fully charged according to the battery tender, but won't have enough power to turn the engine over.

Good Luck!
=-= The CyberPoet

[suzukisportrider2004]

sounds like the battery the cold weather take a toll on them

[WildKat]

Was your battery in the bike all winter? what temp was it stored at? if it was in a garage thats not heated and its been sitting in the bike or on a shelf in your garage or something for all this time, chances are good as the others said that it may replaced.

[skasner]

Was your battery in the bike all winter? what temp was it stored at? if it was in a garage thats not heated and its been sitting in the bike or on a shelf in your garage or something for all this time, chances are good as the others said that it may replaced.

The battery was sitting in the bike, but was disconnected. It sat for maybe 3-4 weeks before I got the tender on it. It's been on the tender ever since.

The shop is "heated" however I would say the the average temperature in there is around 45 degrees so its certainly not what I would call warm.

I haven't had a chance to try jumping it yet... it's at the in-law's shop which is about 30min from home, and I don't get over there as often as i'd like to.

I plan on going over there Saturday and working on it. First I plan on trying to jump it w/ a car battery, and if that doesnt work I'll start checking it for hydro-lock (smell oil for gas, pull plugs and drain/replace everything if it does have gas in it).

I just don't wanna have to pull the plugs unless absolutely necessary, because i have a feeling it will bea huge pain-in-the-rear.

[The CyberPoet]

The battery was sitting in the bike, but was disconnected. It sat for maybe 3-4 weeks before I got the tender on it. It's been on the tender ever since.

I'm telling you -- it's almost gauranteedly the battery. So increadibly simple to test... 30 seconds and you'll have an answer.

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet