MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE
8-4
8
Exposure to the elements can dry out
the leather over time. Therefore, an oc-
casional application of a good quality
mink oil is recommended to restore the
leather and lift its water resistance.
Make sure that the saddlebags are
clean and dry before applying the mink
oil. Using a soft cloth or a dauber, work
a thin coat of mink oil into the leather
surface of the saddlebags. Wipe off any
excess oil immediately and allow the
saddlebags to dry for several hours.
EAU44451
Storage
Short-term
Always store your motorcycle in a cool,
dry place and, if necessary, protect it
against dust with a porous cover.
NOTICE
ECA10810
●
Storing the motorcycle in a
poorly ventilated room or cover-
ing it with a tarp, while it is still
wet, will allow water and humid-
ity to seep in and cause rust.
●
To prevent corrosion, avoid
damp cellars, stables (because
of the presence of ammonia)
and areas where strong chemi-
cals are stored.
Long-term
Before storing your motorcycle for sev-
eral months:
1. Follow all the instructions in the
“Care” section of this chapter.
2. Fill up the fuel tank and add fuel
stabilizer (if available) to prevent
the fuel tank from rusting and the
fuel from deteriorating.
3. Perform the following steps to pro-
tect the cylinders, piston rings, etc.
from corrosion.
a. Remove the spark plug caps
and spark plugs.
b. Pour a teaspoonful of engine oil
into each spark plug bore.
c. Install the spark plug caps onto
the spark plugs, and then place
the spark plugs on the cylinder
head so that the electrodes are
grounded. (This will limit spark-
ing during the next step.)
d. Turn the engine over several
times with the starter. (This will
coat the cylinder walls with oil.)
e. Remove the spark plug caps
from the spark plugs, and then
install the spark plugs and the
spark plug caps.
WARNING!
To prevent damage or injury
from sparking, make sure to
ground the spark plug elec-
trodes while turning the en-
gine over.
[EWA10951]
4. Lubricate all control cables and the
pivoting points of all levers and
pedals as well as of the side-
stand/centerstand.
U1BH10E0.book Page 4 Tuesday, December 8, 2009 4:47 PM
