Bed-down time...

Let's see: Stabil the gas; Tender the battery...

She's indoors over the winter months, where air is maintained between 45-60 degrees on the thermostat, on a concrete floor. Occasionally I fire her up for a few minutes, with the exhaust fumes vented out of the building.

Anything else needed to do?

Don't run it for a couple of minutes. It doesn't get warm enough to burn any condensation out of it and just disperses it throughout your engine. Some blocks of wood under the tires as the concrete will eventually ruin them. Change the oil either now or first thing in the spring. I prefer now.

Btw, winter Sucks.

Fresh oil and grease the swing arm, cardboard under the front tire.

We got snow last weekend but I am still hoping for more riding time this year.
I still have to put a wider door in our basement because of the Mrs. big ass engine guards :dry: before they can come in the house.

I start mine once a week throughout the winter and let it run 10 - 15 minutes depending on how cold the air temperature is. This keeps oil on the cylinder walls, keeps the battery charged, and prevents muck from forming in the carbs. It is important to let it run long enough to reach normal operating temperature so it will evaporate condensation. I've been using this procedure for 38 years and never had a problem. One nice thing about it is that when the first warm day of spring arrives the bike will start right up and be ready to ride. Ed

Also, be sure to have a full fuel tank as that prevents rust.

I would not run the engine unless you get a chance to get the bike out on the road for long enough to evaporate out all the condensation that will form in the mufflers. No good comes from running the bike in the garage/driveway.

A heavy dose of STA-BIL 360 (the stuff that out gasses) is a good idea. I'd run the bike long enough to get the treated fuel in the carbs and then shut down. THEN, drain the carbs completely and disconnect the fuel line to ensure you don't get any dribbling out of the petcock that finds it's way to the carbs. Pull the plugs and squirt some oil in there if you are worried about rusting cylinder walls.

It's also a good idea, after It's warmed up, to get on it, put it in gear, & let the clutch out & let it roll a little, because clutch plates have a tendency to stick if not engaged occasionally
Pete

Ha ha!
Winter is when we get our riding done over here... :evil:
I don't think riding in flip flops and shorts is a good idea the rest of the year, so I enjoy the chance to be ATGATT for a change...
It would help if my bike was running though!! :lol:

bluej58 wrote: Fresh oil and grease the swing arm, cardboard under the front tire.

We got snow last weekend but I am still hoping for more riding time this year.
I still have to put a wider door in our basement because of the Mrs. big ass engine guards :dry: before they can come in the house.

Why don't you just take them off?

My gosh, it must be like living on the moon. We just ride more dirt when the seasons change in central California. Id love to spend a year in the Great Lakes area just as a bucket list thing though!
Cheers

You're welcome to come and stay with me for a couple of days about mid February. That should get rid of those foolish thoughts!

The central valley is cold, clammy and miserable in the winter. The odors from a dairies hang in the air like smelly fog. The sun never comes out and now you can't even have a fire in your fire place. And the fog. They call Tulle fog. 100 car pile ups are common.
I had to go there every year for the holidays so my children could see their relatives. Quit doing that in 2010. No wonder they fought all the time. They can keep it. Here it's windy and cold but the sun's out. :whistle:
Steve

bluej58 wrote: Fresh oil and grease the swing arm, cardboard under the front tire.

Just curious... what is the purpose of the cardboard?