Preparing a scooter for winter storage at home

In our region, winters can be quite harsh, and riding scooters becomes impossible. Therefore, scooter riders should worry about the wintering of their horses and create favorable conditions for the moped so that it does not need repairs when spring comes. Preparing a scooter for winter storage is a rather troublesome and responsible task. However, if all the rules and recommendations that we will consider in this material are followed, in the spring you will be able to start your vehicle the first time without carrying out any repair work. Vehicles quite often need the latter after a long winter hibernation.

Instructions for storing a moped in winter

To ensure that each part remains safe and sound, does not succumb to corrosion from excess moisture and does not crack from frost, it is necessary to carry out a large amount of work, following the following instructions.

The first thing you need to do is remove all dirt on the moped, paying special attention to hard-to-reach places.
Plastic and plastic parts must be polished with wax or a specially designed product sold in car markets.
Parts of the moped made of metal should be treated with a special agent that protects against corrosion.
To prevent cracks from appearing on rubber parts, they also need to be treated. Silicone spray or tire cleaner works great for this.
To prevent the threads of the drum brake and accelerator cables, as well as the shock absorber fork, from collapsing after severe frosts, they must be lubricated with oil. This can be done using an ordinary medical syringe.
Moped tires should be deflated to half the recommended pressure. And install the scooter itself on the central stand; there should not be any load on the tires.
To avoid corrosion of the fuel tank and to successfully start the engine when spring arrives, the tank must be completely filled with high-quality fuel.
To prevent moisture from entering, which accelerates the rusting process, the exhaust pipe should be tightly covered with a rag, polyethylene or a special plug.

How to properly store a scooter in winter

Scooters and mopeds are definitely seasonal modes of transport in our area. And in winter, the acute question arises of where and how to store a scooter or moped so that it remains intact and in working order for the next motorcycle season. In any case, there are rules for preparing for storage and the actual storage of a scooter or moped.

Let's consider a number of frequently asked questions that must be observed so that later, in the spring, you do not find unpleasant surprises:

Should I drain the gas or fill the tank with gas?

Here it is worth understanding that different motorcycles require different conditions, for example, if the scooter is equipped with a metal fuel tank, like a Honda, then the tank must be filled to capacity. This rule is tritely related to metal corrosion. But if the scooter has a plastic tank, like Suzuki's, this point is not so important. But even in this case, if the plastic tank is left empty, problems with starting may arise in the spring.

You shouldn’t take risks and it’s better to make it a rule to leave your motorcycle with a full tank of gas for the winter.

In addition, gasoline must be of the highest grade and not settle in the tank as sediment while the scooter is idle, or in the winter..

Which kickstand should I store my scooter on?

Be sure to store the scooter on the center stand to relieve pressure on the tires and shock absorbers.

Do I need to relieve the pressure in my scooter tires?

Yes, the tire pressure should be reduced by half of the nominal value. When placing the scooter for storage on the central support, you need to ensure balance so that the entire weight of the scooter rests on the stand. It is advisable to treat the rubber with a special tire polish.

Do I need to drain the oil?

No, you cannot drain the oil, since in this case you are guaranteed internal corrosion; it is even advisable to replace the oil with a new one, in order to avoid precipitation of old oil and corrosion of the internal tank.

Should I remove the battery?

If you are going to store the scooter on the street or in an unheated garage, then removing the battery and bringing it into a heated room is simply necessary, otherwise it is guaranteed to fail. In this case, periodically, you should charge the battery with a special device, setting the charging current to 10% of the rated amperage of your battery. So, for example, if your battery has a capacity of 4 Ah, the charging current should be about 0.4 A for 7-10 hours. A charger for charging such low-power batteries usually costs three times less than the battery itself, and it makes sense to spend money on purchasing it once. If there is carbon deposits in the scooter engine, it is advisable to remove the cylinder and clean the carbon deposits from the piston and windows.

How to cover a scooter outdoors?

If the scooter is left to spend the winter outdoors, cover it with a tarpaulin cover. If you cover it with a film or vapor-proof material, the formation of condensation under the film will lead to corrosion of all metal parts.

Should I treat the scooter frame?

Yes, all metal parts of the scooter must be treated with synthetic lubricant. And chrome parts should be protected with special silicone grease.

Do I need to plug the exhaust hole?

Yes, the exhaust hole of the muffler must be tightly plugged with a rag or a specially prepared plug to prevent moist air from getting inside. This will protect the inside from corrosion.

And before preparing the scooter for winter storage, wash the scooter from any remaining dirt and dust not only on the plastic, but also under it and on the frame.

Storing the scooter in a heated room eliminates many of the factors mentioned above, but disconnecting the battery terminals and periodically charging it remains necessary.

Therefore, it is definitely better to store a scooter or moped in heated, clean rooms with a normal, optimal level of humidity. The GOLDENSKLAD company will ensure the safety of your motorcycle equipment and long-term performance.

Boxes for rent of various sizes ranging from 1 cubic meter to 17 square meters costing from 850 rubles per month.

Additional advantages of storing a scooter in rented personal warehouses GOLDENSKLAD:

The premises have an access control system installed;
Video surveillance and security working around the clock;
Only the owner has access to the box;
Optimal humidity and temperature;
24 hours a day

Storing a moped in the winter in the garage and outdoors

If the owner of a moped has a warm garage, in which there is no excess moisture that accelerates the corrosion process, then most of the above rules need not be followed. For example, it is not necessary to remove the battery; just disconnect the negative terminal. However, you still have to charge the battery once a month. It would also be useful for the scooter engine to start it at least 3 times during the entire winter period and let it run for 15-20 minutes.

If the owner of a scooter does not have a garage and there is no way to store it in any warm room, there is only one way out: leave your vehicle on the street. This is, of course, the most unfortunate method of storing a moped, but still acceptable. To protect the scooter from precipitation and wind, which will bring a lot of dust and dirt onto it, it is necessary to cover the moped with a tarpaulin. This material does not allow any moisture to pass through, but it conducts air remarkably well, which will avoid the appearance of condensation, which causes rusting of metal parts.

Following all the rules and recommendations will help protect your scooter from damage and breakdowns that would have to be repaired with the arrival of spring, rather than enjoying trips on your favorite vehicle.

Preserving a scooter for the winter

In order for your moped and scooter to serve you for a long time and faithfully without breakdowns and in excellent shape, you need to naturally take care of it, and since it is now cold outside and few people continue to ride their scooter, and in order for the scooter to survive the winter well, I advise you to mothball it for the winter, and I will describe how to do this in this article. 2. Be sure to treat : all metal parts
- WD-40, if you do not perform this operation, you may be very unhappy with the appearance of your friend in the spring, since the metal will be covered with rust;
rubber parts (including tires)
- with silicone spray or car/motor polish for tires;
Treat the leather saddle with a water-repellent spray ( do not use leather polish, as the saddle will remain slippery for a long time after such treatment
).

3. Treat the entire moped or scooter with wax polish

.
Depending on the material of the motorcycle surfaces, choose either a car body wax polish (for glossy surfaces)
or a plastic wax polish.

6. Unscrew the spark plug and pour 0.3 cubes of the same oil into the cylinder that you poured into the engine. Then screw the candle

turn the piston
several times using the kick starter or starter.

7. Remove the battery and take it home

.
Charge the battery approximately once a month. Let me remind you that the optimal battery charging current is 10% (in A) of the capacity (in Ah), and the charging time is approximately 10 hours, although modern chargers independently determine the end of the battery charge (for example , it is recommended to charge a battery with a capacity of 18 Ah with a current of 1. 8 A for 10 hours
).

8. Fill a full tank of gasoline

. Fill only with high-quality gasoline so that no precipitation forms in the gasoline over the winter. Please note that in the spring it is better to drain the gasoline and fill the motorcycle with fresh gasoline. By its nature, gasoline, like any other hydrocarbons, is unstable and decomposes after some time, although a special stabilizer can be added to gasoline.

9. Plug the hole in the muffler

. This will prevent moisture from settling inside the muffler. This is especially important for direct flows! A regular plastic bag is suitable for sealing.

As mentioned above, it is extremely undesirable for a scooter and moped to winter outside in the snow and rain, but it is still possible. Although, the service life of the equipment in this case is reduced by a lot.

Source

Winter storage of scooters

Let's consider a number of frequently asked questions that must be observed so that later, in the spring, you do not find unpleasant surprises:

Should I drain the gas or fill the tank with gas? Here it is worth understanding that different motorcycles require different conditions, for example, if the scooter is equipped with a metal fuel tank, like a Honda, then the tank must be filled to capacity. This rule is tritely related to metal corrosion. But if the scooter has a plastic tank, like Suzuki's, this point is not so important. But even in this case, if the plastic tank is left empty, problems with starting may arise in the spring.

You shouldn’t take risks and it’s better to make it a rule to leave your motorcycle with a full tank of gas for the winter.

In addition, gasoline must be of the highest grade and not settle in the tank as sediment while the scooter is idle, or in the winter..

Which kickstand should I store my scooter on? Be sure to store the scooter on the center stand to relieve pressure on the tires and shock absorbers.

Do I need to relieve the pressure in my scooter tires? Yes, the tire pressure should be reduced by half of the nominal value. When placing the scooter for storage on the central support, you need to ensure balance so that the entire weight of the scooter rests on the stand. It is advisable to treat the rubber with a special tire polish.

Do I need to drain the oil? No, you cannot drain the oil, since in this case you are guaranteed internal corrosion; it is even advisable to replace the oil with a new one, in order to avoid precipitation of old oil and corrosion of the internal tank.

Should I remove the battery? If you are going to store the scooter on the street or in an unheated garage, then removing the battery and bringing it into a heated room is simply necessary, otherwise it is guaranteed to fail. In this case, periodically, you should charge the battery with a special device, setting the charging current to 10% of the rated amperage of your battery. So, for example, if your battery has a capacity of 4 Ah, the charging current should be about 0.4 A for 7-10 hours. A charger for charging such low-power batteries usually costs three times less than the battery itself, and it makes sense to spend money on purchasing it once. If there is carbon deposits in the scooter engine, it is advisable to remove the cylinder and clean the carbon deposits from the piston and windows.

How to cover a scooter outdoors? If the scooter is still left to spend the winter outdoors, cover it with a tarpaulin cover. If you cover it with a film or vapor-proof material, the formation of condensation under the film will lead to corrosion of all metal parts.

Should I treat the scooter frame? Yes, all metal parts of the scooter must be treated with synthetic lubricant. And chrome parts should be protected with special silicone grease.

Do I need to plug the exhaust hole? Yes, the exhaust hole of the muffler must be tightly plugged with a rag or a specially prepared plug to prevent moist air from getting inside. This will protect the inside from corrosion.

And before preparing the scooter for winter storage, wash the scooter from any remaining dirt and dust not only on the plastic, but also under it and on the frame.

Storing the scooter in a heated room eliminates many of the factors mentioned above, but disconnecting the battery terminals and periodically charging it remains necessary.

Therefore, it is definitely better to store a scooter or moped in heated, clean rooms with a normal, optimal level of humidity.

Garage

An unheated garage is harsh, but better than outside, and your two-wheeled friend will definitely say “thank you!” for a heated garage. In the garage, the motorcycle will no longer be covered with snow and it will not get wet in the rain, however, when stored in a cold room, the spark plugs may turn sour - they should be unscrewed in advance; in a warm garage there will be no such problems. Motorcyclists are a strong community and are used to helping each other and helping out in difficult times. Therefore, many bikers pool together to rent a garage for their car in order to put several bikes there at once: it’s both cheaper and easier.

Pros: under a roof, under lock and key.

Cons: in an unheated garage, even a motorcycle prepared for preservation is not protected from corrosion.