Broke my leg

[BlueMoto]

Being down in central Texas where we don't winterize our bikes I would like your input on what to do about my FJR and Honda Sprit during the next couple of months since I have a broken leg.

I slipped on ice, we usually don't have any, and fractured my Fibula leg bone. Can't put any pressure on the leg for at least 6 weeks.

Question is my bikes are on battery tenders but, is starting them and letting them warm-up every week or so, enough or do you thing then need to be ridden? Don't volenteer.

I haven't started them in a couple of weeks but feel I need to do something.

What do you guys/gals think?

Peg. (Bob)

 

[keithaba]

Fill the gas tanks as much as possible. Put in Sea Foam or Stabil. Run them for at least 5 minutes. Leave them on battery tender. Should be fine for 2 months, even more. Change oil when you can start riding again. If you can, have someone roll the bikes every other week just so you don't screw up the tires.

You should be fine. Many people winterize for 3-4 months and have no problems.

It's not supposed to be good to just start them up and let them run, they will not get to the same temps as if you rode.

Someone else more mechanically savy may chime in, but you really should be o.k.

Hope your leg feels better.

 

[JimLor]

Sorry about your leg. You'll get somewhere between 4 and 2,000 replies. You can do a search and find a bunch of info.

BUT, here's what I'd do: fill the tank, put in the right amount of Stabile, run it to get the stabil throughout the system; change the oil. Don't start it until the cast comes off and then start it and ride off! Good luck.

EDIT: Thread, Stabil

If that link works it'll give you some good info, some bad info, and some insights into folks personalities!!

 

[ionbeam]

in central Texas...I slipped on ice

Ouch! Whazzup with that? Hope the leg heals quickly!

This should be another interesting thread, be prepared for a lot of varied opinions. Living in NH I do have to lay up my motorcycle until the salt finally washes off the roads. Battery tender -- good. Add Stabil to the gas, might help, won't hurt. I use Stabil in everything that has long periods between use. Do not start them and let them run, it does no good. You shouldn't let your FJR idle long enough to get hot enough to cook off all the moisture in the exhaust created by starting them. Are they being stored in a place where little furry creatures would be tempted to make nests? Some favorite places are in the tool tray under the seat (sometimes IN the seat), in the air box and under the tank.

For the ~8 weeks you will be out of action you shouldn't have any problems as long as the batteries are topped of by a battery tender. If you broke your left leg, be gosh darn sure the physical therapist works to get your shifting foot back in business PDQ :lol:

 

[Mike-H]

Do all the above for both your bikes.....but as far as moving them....your FJR is on radial tires...so the movement part is not necessarily....your Honda I don't know so you need to check the tires.....use your center stand on both bikes (if the Honda has one)....& if your leaving them on a concrete floor put wood under the front tires so the concrete will not pull the natural oils out, that way the tires don't be come hard & brittle....if the Honda is on bias plys....tire rotation becomes necessary so they don't flat spot (but make sure when your done moving the bike the tires are on wood again) that's only if your garage is concrete....anything else negates the wood under the tires.....hope this helps.... ....(oh ya....don't tap dance til your leg is better....hope it heals quickly)

 

[JimLor]

Concrete will pull the natural oils from your tires? :blink: Guess I'll move the couch and park ole Maxine in the family room!

 

[FJR919]

Keep the fuel tank full with the appropriate amount of Stabil. Store it with fresh oil and do not start and idle it. Running the engine without it being under load for a period of time just builds up acids in the oil. As for tire flat-spotting, put the bike on the centerstand. Cut two pieces of 2 x 4, each 11 1/2 inches long. Grasp the fork legs and pick the front end up, balancing on the centerstand and slip each 2 x 4 standing vertically under each fork leg. The bike is easier to lift this way than you might think. All the tires are off the ground and the bike is surprisingly stabile. I have stored my three streetbikes like this for years. I also keep dust covers on them while stored.

 

[Bustanut joker]

Concrete will pull the natural oils from your tires? :blink: Guess I'll move the couch and park ole Maxine in the family room!

Read something in a car rag about not parking you vehicle on new carpet as It had some type of adverse effect on tires. breaking down the rubber or sumpin :dntknw:

:jester:

 

[FJR_pig]

I slipped on ice, we usually don't have any, and fractured my Fibula leg bone. Can't put any pressure on the leg for at least 6 weeks.

Can't add anything that hasn't already been stated here about the bike. Your leg, though. I feel for you. I, too, slipped on ice while walking today and went down. Hard, cartoon-style up in the air and down on my hip. Crazy thing, amazed I didn't break anything. You'd think as adult humans, we'd be a bit more adept at not falling on our butts. Watch lots of Speed Channel and get better.

 

[bmac]

Do not start the bikes every week unless you are going for a ride. Do as others have suggested and stabilize the fuel and that is all you need to do since you already have it on a battery tender.

 

[v65]

Not one offer the to ride the bike for Bob? Man what is the place coming to? :lol: Hope the leg heals quickly for you.

 

[BlueMoto]

Thanks for all the good info. Forgot about gas stabililzer I use it in my boat but my bikes usually don't sit that long. Will do what I can from suggestions. I have a Big Bend Trip in April so I've got to careful with the leg and don't think I can do much bike moving. I will try to get a friend over for a beer and bike moving.

Thanks again for all the comments.

Bob

 

[Nice Rumble]

I assume you put your bike on it's center stand before you broke your leg so there is very little pressure on the tires. I would not worry about it. It's not like a car.

 

[ionbeam]

I will try to get a friend over for a beer and bike moving.

The trick is in the sequence of events... :lol:

 

[fjr]

For six or seven weeks is Stabil really necessary????

 

[Nice Rumble]

For six or seven weeks is Stabil really necessary????

Yes, the quality of gas from the pump is so poor to begin with it doesn't take long to lose it's volitility. And if it sit's longer than you think it can turn to varnish. Then you have a real problem on your hands. Cheap insurance.

 

[jestal]

Don't start the engine during storage. Each time it is started there is a considerable amount of water and gasoline and combustion byproducts pushed past the rings and into the crank case. It will just stay there unless the oil is warmed up enough to boil the contaminants out. You cannot get the oil that warm by just idling and starting and sitting. Better to warm it up thoroughly and then just leave it.

The exhaust system also gets loaded up with water when you start it periodically like that and will not get dryed out without riding. Another reason not to start it.

I cannot imagine gasoline going "stale" in 6 or 8 weeks. Adding stabile is not going to hurt anything but it is not going to help anything either for a short time like that.

 

[BlueMoto]

Both bikes are are on Battery Tenders and covered before I fell. The FJR is on Center stand. Since I can't get around very well not starting would be a great solution. To put stabil in the fuel would require some help. I usually try to fill-up with gas before I get home after a ride, but I am not sure what the fuel status is at the moment. Since we usually don't have much cold weather and this month have had a lot with the next two or three nights expected to be in the mid 20's, my wife has all her patio plants in the garage sitting around my motorcycles, so they are a little hard to get to. Especially on cruches. Sounds like I am in pretty good shape. If I had the new AE I could ride and not have to worry about shifting with my broken left leg. Hum? but would have to sure and stop with the right foot down. :blink:

Thanks for all the good info.

bob