I know this is early for some, but I'm looking at options for winter storage. I have generally had older bikes in the past and although they were well taken care of, most were....cosmetically challenged. I now have a shiny zx14 in mint shape and want to keep it that way. For winter I have a swingarm stand for the rear, and have typically jacked up the front end, put two jack stands under the forks to keep front and rear of the floor for winter. I have an engine crane I use for maintenance on the front end and don't wish to buy a front stand if I don't have to. So, my question. Does anyone see a problem with running a rod through the front axle (as the nut is hollow) and supporting the bike with the rod on two jack stands? I can't see an issue but maybe I'm stunned and missing something. I don't want to put the jack stands on the forks again because they don't quite fit on the 14 and I don't want to scuff it up. Thanks in advance.

Spray S100 corrosion protectant aerosol over the whole bike, use the whole fricking can! put it up in the air cover it and forget it till spring!

Don't listen to the advice to spray S100 over the entire bike, unless it spends the winter in a drafty shed near the ocean, lol.

Just clean it and wax it good, let it dry, put it up on stands, cover it with a cover which will breath. I use a good quality heavy cloth cover and it works great.

All the standard caveats. Put fresh oil in it before you store it. Fill the gas tank to the slosh guard (full) after putting Stabil to protect the gas. Make sure you run it a while after putting the Stabil in, so it gets all throughout the fuel system.

Either remove the battery, or put it on a tender. Don't use a charger that won't go into float charge mode, or you could damage the battery from extended charging times.

Thats how I leave mine over the winter. Sitting in the back of the garage, almost invisible under the cloth cover. With the battery tender's green light showing, sitting on a stool beside it.

In the spring, I take the cover off, disconnect the tender, roll it outside. Fire it up. Like I never quit riding it!

* Last updated by: privateer on 9/3/2010 @ 6:51 AM *

Thanks for that, my routine is pretty much what Privateer said. I guess I should have been more specific. My question is if I will damage the bike in any way by running a rod through the front axle to be supported by jack stands. I'm thinking of trying this out instead of purchasing a front stand, as I have no other use for the front stand because I use an engine crane for maintenance.

I just don't quit riding!

Problem SOLVED!

this thread sucks!!! lol where has the summer gone that were sitting here talking about storage. soon it will be that time that the southern boys start rubbing it in that they are still riding while were watching it snow lol

* Last updated by: scottjkyl on 9/3/2010 @ 9:48 PM *

i bought the front stand with the pin that inserts into the bottom triple clamp 1 of my better purchases i say just buy one they are so handy for cleaning the wheel plus it will pay for itself with 2 tire changes

fyi if youve lowered the front end dont bother with this stand youll never get it into the triple clamp

* Last updated by: scottjkyl on 9/3/2010 @ 9:55 PM *

I know it sucks, I was debating even bringing it up. However after riding in to work this week with temps at around 2 degrees Celsius the inevitable is upon me. (screw you southern folk ;) So I had to ask. I may just break down and buy the stand, I would just rather buy something cooler than that for my new ride. And to scott its not lowered so I should be good.

heres the stands i bought. cheap and work well

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4712.m2000054&item=250520990085&viewitem=#ht_1445wt_941

fyi pin size for the 14 is .....15

Thanks again scott. I will look into that. I was checking those out already, good to have a thumbs up. A quick unrelated question for you though. Is your bike flies in or out?

flies in its an 08 i heard its not worth puling them 08 and up

I couldn't imagine having to "winterize" my bike.

Strewth boys I FELT sorry fer the poms with their weather I guess now I'LL do the same fer u guys too !!!! shit bad luck like I said to rook great places in every state in aus, need more educated riders (workers)downunder too if ya can ride in the wet u can ride all year through

* Last updated by: bean07 on 9/10/2010 @ 8:18 PM *