Hitchcocks Forum

Have just tucked up my continental for the winter,fuel stabilizer etc...The question is just leave it or start it up every week or two. Would be interested to see opinions on this?

Here we go again.. Some will say no, absolutely not and others will state that no harm can come from giving it a ten minute run on tickover while stationary. More important is how you keep the bike over the winter. Indoors or out? Warm garage or cold shed?

I keep my machine in an insulated shed. It is warm and dry. Last year I didn't fire it up between late October and late March. No harm done. Started easily after 6 months.

As Exile says. Also keep the tank full of petrol to avoid rusting. Most modern oil is slightly magnetized, so there will always be a film of oil where it`s needed. There is no need to keep starting it, there will be condensation as it is cooling, diluting the oil. Winter is only three months long.

Ah yes, but what oil should he put in it before he does or doesn't run it? (Ducks for cover....)

REgards, Mark

I ride mine at lest once or twice every month for 30+ miles and then wash off all salt/road crud and dry it off. A friend keeps his Sixty-5 (on SORN over winter) in my garage which I kick over without the ignition on a few times every week so the rings don't stick. Hope that helps.

Pop it in the shed, pat it on the tank, and then leave it alone. It would like a quick trickle charge to the battery every so often. DOn't leave it filled with 95 supermarket fuel, either drain tank or put in a decent 97-98 octane with no ethanol.




click here to see how to test fuel for ethanol easily.

There is vast difference between laying up a motorcycle for a long period time and is a complex procedure.
A couple of months is very different.

Nigel: " I kick over without the ignition on a few times every week so the rings don't stick."


I do that too.. it also keeps the clutch free...

The ideal is never to start an engine unless you get the oil up to working temperature.
Not always possible of course but why start it at all if you don't need to?
Mine gets a bit of oil down the bore and left. The only things I do are to drain the float bowl and trickle charge the battery now and then. I really can't see why people start them during a lay-up; it can't do any good, even if it does no harm.
Just my opinion.

Thanks all for the input, I think I will let it sit there with there with the odd turn over with the kick start.