Long story short – I have had a touch at work and can keep claiming for journeys on my wee as well as using a company car (I had planned on selling my wee if I couldn’t claim mileage on her)
Following on from Fatbellys comments on the winter shutdown idea thread I thought I would share my excitement at this time of the year and particularly this year as I thought I wouldn’t have a bike to ride through the autumn and winter.
I usually give my bike a good wash every two or three weeks anyway so she is in good condition for a 18k 2011 bike also have tutoro chain oiler and clean and lube the chain after every wash
My autumn prep usually the first Weekend in October –
The mother of all cleans bike stripped down (fairing off proper job every nook and cranny cleaned waxed /polished)
I apply acf 50 to every surface I can find (except Brakes, levers, grips, saddle and foot pegs) I bought the big bottle and pour into the vaporiser myself this goes so far and saves so much money
Spend an hour or so unscrewing bolts and covering with ACF50 grease and putting them back
General brake service – clean, check and Lube
Chain full degrease (I use Paraffin) Take off the front sprocket cover and clean - plenty of grinding paste usually
I then use the white spray on the outside of the chain allowing the Tutoro oilier to keep the middle oiled as I ride around – The white is great as it a great visual check to see how often you need to give another clean and re-spray
All cables lubed with blue and yellow cable lube (also a spray into the two key holes)
Change my screen to my big Slipscreen it’s max width (so that it is just short or the dash on full lock) keeps me very dry through he winter.
Put on the hand guards so that I can put on my muffs
As I use muffs I have the Oxford over heated grips and wire them in and put the controller on the dash
I have an Exo heated stormrider vest so wire the controller and the plug ( I had planned on getting the gloves and daisy chaining them onto the jacket but I have got used to riding in summer gloves year round and Like not getting them wet.
Double check fluids, oil and air
Take her for a ride to check everything.
I love riding in the winter - No fly splatter on the windscreen not many crotch rockets flying by spoiling my overtakes.
Then I hit the winter roads – I still clean her every three weeks or so and re apply THE acf 50 not the most cost effective regime but it works for me.
Any tips to make my day even more special
I would like to hear
Regards
Pat