Winterize me baby!

[saturnphive]

Hey gang,
Got our first Ice/snow storm last wednesday and thought I'd be putting the girl to bed, but its cleared up. So a couple days or weeks of riding left for sure.

But it got me thinking about winterizing and seeing if someone could post some photos about what to do. With my old beater chinese scooters I'd just remove the battery, throw in some seafoam and let it run for ten minutes and then prop it up so the tires were both off the ground. Cover it and start her up next year.
Is that all I need to do for a stella? I'm hoping to ride until early/mid december (until the roads get icy) then be back on it when they dry out again - maybe march or april. I'll be running in sub-freezing temps until probably...I dunno, april, may?

Is that sufficient for my beautiful stella? I could probably pull the carb and clean it separately if someone posted some photos how. I'd rather not drain the tank but if that's what's reccomended I could do that too.

So, anyone from a place that gets to freezing temperatures, please hook me up with some winterizing notes.


Separate sad note, going 5 mph in my alley I opted to make a sharp right turn to get in my driveway and was surprised to find myself suddenly standing next to a still idling stella on the ground. No major scratches or damage but it ruins my perfect streak. [/b]

[Tipper]

My winterisation tips are -

1)Wrap up warm,
2)Fit winter tyres
3)Ride carefully !

[Robbie]

My winterisation tips are -

1)Wrap up warm,
2)Fit winter tyres
3)Ride carefully !

Oh Tipper!

Until I registered on the UK forum I didn't even know there was such a thing as scooter snow tires, let alone actually trying to ride one in the snow!
I don't believe they are even marketed over here.

You guys take riding to a new level......I.ve ridden studded tires on ice but wouldn't consider ever riding around cage traffic on snow......they have enouph trouble staying on the pavement let alone watch for bikes.

Rob

[Tipper]

That's the thing Rob, even the slightest hint of white stuff over here and everything shuts down which means the roads are much,much quieter than normal.

The side streets are pretty tough going but as long as you go slowly using you feet as out-riggers its do-able. All the main roads are gritted so as long as you avoid the patches of slush and ride at a sensible speed its fine.

We get snow here nearly every year these days but it still seems like we are massively under prepared every time it happens.

Its black ice I hate,its taken me out twice now

[Robbie]

We got our second snow today......minor league, only about a quarter inch...just enouph to make the cages crash into anything moving or not....looking at the news while writing this and some meathead has dunked his truck into a pond after running off the road.

This, with road salt applied.

Rob

[Robbie]

To the OP......Fuel tank filled with treated fuel (stabil or your choice)
Fuel valve off......run till fuel exausted.....when it dies, pull choke fully and crank starter....may run another moment or two.....this pulls the last of the fuel out of the circuits.
Remove air cleaner lid and filter.....spray fogging oil down carb throat while cranking engine....about 2 to 3 seconds, and reassemble.

Remove battery and place somewhere above freezing.....charge at least once a month, one amp, two hours.
Park scooter in enclosed area if possible.....put rear tire on a bit of plywood or carpet to keep off of concrete.
If parked indoors, throw a bedsheet over it.....keeps dust off but breathes enouph to prevent rust.

Thats it.
Rob

[listless]

Now I need to find scooter snow tires.

[Tipper]

Heidenau k58's are what I use,they do a 'snowtex' version too which grip even better in the 'white bastard'.

[saturnphive]

Waaayoooowww!

Far out man!

I hear you on the wrapping up. It was 6 degrees (-14C) out when I rode into work yesterday. I'd love to find some winter tires over here, but I gotta agree with Rob, the idiots in the cars are the real danger. The roads get 10x worse with traffic when it snows. Heck, you fall off doing 30 on ice and you just slide to a stop...its the soccer mom checking her texts who runs you down in her minivan that ruins your day.

Ice - heck man, we live under a couple inches of it for about four months a year. But I am seriously jealous. I love the winter, I WISH i could ride in it.

Thanks for the pic! Its classic!