Winter lay up

[IanH]

Looking at the weather it seems like I won't be using the 1400 much if any more this season so the time comes to get ready to wrap it up for the winter.
Sometime in the next couple of weeks the bike will be going for a full service so it will be parked up nice and fresh.
I'm just wondering should I disconnect the battery, connect a conditioning charger to it or just do nothing?
Any other tips are more than welcome.

[gsxbarmy]

Take it for a good blast to get it really hot before laying it up to give it a good clean out.
Give it a good clean, so its all bright and shiny.
Connect a conditioning charger to the battery - an Optimate is a good option to buy and fit.
If the bike stands on a concrete floor, put an old rug or carpet under the tyres as concrete can cause tyres to have flat spots if left for an extended period of time (the concrete apparently reacts with the tyre compounds).
Fill the tank up with premium (97-99 octane) fuel as the premium fuels have extra detergents in and don't deteriorate as much as normal fuel does. If you can't get premium fuel then you might consider one of these additives you can add to fuel to stop it deteriorating - I never did, never had any issues when leaving mine with premium fuel in
Cover the bike with some cotton sheets (as these are breathable)
DON'T start the bike at odd intervals! Once you lay it up, just leave it until you want to start riding it again. Starting and letting it tick over for a short while does more damage than good to the engine as it leaves unburnt water and other "acids" in the oil and exhaust etc.
Optionally change the oil and filter before laying up. I say optionally as I've seem this recommended, and others saying change the oil just before you take it out again in the spring. I always opted for the latter personally.
If you are leaving her outdoors, then once she is clean and about to be layed up, spray ACF50 over the entire engine and exhaust to protect. This will clean off readily with an engine degreaser (like SDoc100 GEL) when you want to get her out again. Likewise, if you are covering up outdoors, put the cotton sheet over the bike before any tarpaulin etc.

[Andre]

Doing nothing is the worst option. Plenty of advice on the net and I am sure there will be more coming here.

I just keep riding her when there is dry weather. Actually I am looking forward to roads void of bikers, cyclists, and meandering tourists (on foot and by car) in my area.

[Mrg]

Great advice  gsx barmy   I will be doing just that after it's service and when he rain comes its bed time for my   Lovely bike 

[Speedy1959]

I have always ridden my bike all year round..
Obviously not in ice and snow or torrential rain.
There are many pleasant days during the winter months...
In fact our summers aren't much better than the winters sometimes !

[Kiwifruit]

The other option is to pack it up and bring it to NZ
Bike dont need a blanky for winter !! 

[taximan]

I don't understand, if the fuel can go off over time, why would you fill it up rather than leave the tank almost empty ?

[Mick_J]

I don't understand, if the fuel can go off over time, why would you fill it up rather than leave the tank almost empty ?

I have never had a problem with fuel going off, will still start the bike after 8 months but I do understand why you should fill the tank, water.  Ethanol absorbs water and that evaporates and can cause rust on the inside of the tank, the less air space the less condensation, less chance of rust.

[Andre]

No ethanol in petrol in the 70's, still had issues with water condensation. Ethanol just makes it worse and adds a number of unwanted issues as well. I have taken to only fill with ethanol-free petrol.

[Mick_J]

No ethanol in petrol in the 70's, still had issues with water condensation. Ethanol just makes it worse and adds a number of unwanted issues as well. I have taken to only fill with ethanol-free petrol.

You are quite correct Andre, condensation is not new (my error).  However I was replying to taximan and ethanol free fuel is not available in Cornwall.

[Andre]

mjgt, was not meant as critique, just additional info.

Ethanol free petrol is scarce here as well. Only 2 brands offer it in Germany. And not all of their stations carry it. But regardless what you fill her up with, it has to be filled fully to avoid condensation. If you don't use ethanol free an appropriate additive helps.

[gsxbarmy]

I don't understand, if the fuel can go off over time, why would you fill it up rather than leave the tank almost empty ?

There is a difference in the 2 fuels available in the UK from the main supplier, 95 and 97/98/99 Ron (depending on the Oil Company). The better (premium) fuels have detergents in them that reduce the deterioration of fuel if left over longer periods over and above standard (95 Ron) fuel, also it helps with running the better fuels as they keep the injection system cleaner (less gummed up) - whilst that statement may cause some debate/discussion on here, I ran my K7 on BP Ultimate and it definitely ran smoother and cleaner on the better fuel.

Hence why I said leave with a full tank of premium fuel. If you leave full with standard fuel you will need one of the fuel additives you can purchase in motor stores to reduce fuel deterioration

[Cykik]

Mine is laid up  over winter & garaged,  I fill with "decent" fuel & stabiliser, remove the battery & charge it once /month.  I hide the battery in the house. I have a theory that cold temps don't help batteries hence removing it. Been doing this for 20 yrs & had no issues. In spring take bike for a run to get oil hot then change oil/filter.

[IanH]

Thank you for all the useful tips and information.

The 1400 will be having a full service and I will fill it up with premium fuel and either remove the battery or put a battery conditioning unit on it much as I do with the old Fiat.

My garage is well insulated and I have heating in there which I set for about 8 degrees over the winter so it doesn't get overly cold. The old Fiat survives so I guess the 1400 should be okay.