Winterizing for one day

Ninja Rob · January 7th, 2015, 06:08 PM

Tonight will be the one night out of the entire year that temperatures will go down to about 20 degrees fahrenheit.
The temperature drop will only be a one night thing but I would still rather take precautions than have that ONE night keep my bike off the road for days.

I do not have a garage or storage but I have a carport. What kind of antifreeze do you recommend and what other winterizing should I do?

I will also take out the battery and bring it inside with me. I also have a battery charger to maintain the battery.

Thanks!

Skullz · January 7th, 2015, 06:23 PM

You'll be fine for temps that low unless your antifreeze isn't mixed correctly.
The battery will be fine also unless it is a few years old and getting a bit weak.
i rode all last winter with temps that dropped below 0 with no ill effects other than longer to warm up times and partial choke full time.

choneofakind · January 7th, 2015, 06:27 PM

high strung much? Relax, you worry too much.

If it's got the regular old green coolant, you're fine.

Besides, 'winterizing' isn't so much prepping your bike for winter, it's prepping the bike for 4 months of storage, aka, winter.

Ninja Rob · January 7th, 2015, 06:29 PM

Ok so what kind of anti freeze is good? Im going to the auto parts store nearby.

alex.s · January 7th, 2015, 06:31 PM

better sacrifice a goat and drape the warm body over the gas tank to keep it warm for the night.

"and i thought they smelled bad.... on the outside!"

choneofakind · January 7th, 2015, 06:31 PM

again, chill.

take off your side panel, find the coolant bottle, and look at it. is it green? (it likely is) if so, you're fine.

alex.s · January 7th, 2015, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninja Rob

Ok so what kind of anti freeze is good? Im going to the auto parts store nearby.

there is one kind of antifreeze. it is called glycol. the stuff you buy at the store is called 50/50 because it is 50% glycol, 50% water. you wont find anything else claiming to be antifreeze that isn't this.

one thing you may find that is NOT antifreeze, are things that are only coolants. these typically promise things like increased cooling efficiency. things like engine ice and water wetter. they are essentially soapy water. this makes the water more thermally conductive which makes it better at transfering heat to and from (makes it a better coolant)

choneofakind · January 7th, 2015, 06:33 PM

Fwiw, in the last week, I think the temp has made it UP to 20... once. My car sits outside and guess what? it's completely fine. Go figure.

Your motorcycle is intended to endure the same use and conditions as any car. It will be fine. chill.

alex.s · January 7th, 2015, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Fwiw, in the last week, I think the temp has made it UP to 20... once. My car sits outside and guess what? it's completely fine. Go figure.

Your motorcycle is intended to endure the same use and conditions as any car. It will be fine. chill.

actually most car engines are equipped with freeze plugs. something you don't commonly find on moto engines. these allow the engine to freeze up completely without fracturing the block (extra push from ice simply pushes the freeze plugs out instead of cracking)
edit: this is shown to be bs down below

choneofakind · January 7th, 2015, 06:37 PM

The point is he's so hyper about this because he's new and he really has no reason to be. There's a 99.999% chance he has the regular old glycol coolant. Whens the last time you saw that freeze at any regular temperature of a location that sees 20 once a year? ...derp.

It's NOT going to freeze at that temp with regular old green glycol coolant.

Ninja Rob · January 7th, 2015, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choneofakind

again, chill.

take off your side panel, find the coolant bottle, and look at it. is it green? (it likely is) if so, you're fine.

There isn't any, thats why I am buying it.

choneofakind · January 7th, 2015, 06:40 PM

Have you been riding it like this? is there any coolant in the system? Open the radiator cap and take a peek.

Regular old glycol based green coolant.

Ninja Rob · January 7th, 2015, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Have you been riding it like this? is there any coolant in the system? Open the radiator cap and take a peek.

Regular old glycol based green coolant.

There isnt. When I bought it, it was empty and I just added water in the radiator.

crazymadbastard · January 7th, 2015, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

actually most car engines are equipped with freeze plugs. something you don't commonly find on moto engines. these allow the engine to freeze up completely without fracturing the block (extra push from ice simply pushes the freeze plugs out instead of cracking)

Freeze plugs really aren't meant for that, its for part of the casting process.
Just saying.

alex.s · January 7th, 2015, 06:50 PM

thanks for the good info winston
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_plug for more info

from the link:

Quote:

Freeze plug myth

A true freeze plug would be an expansion plug located in the side of an engine block that is supposed to protect the block against freeze damage. Water expands when it turns to ice, and if the coolant does not have enough antifreeze protection it can freeze and crack the engine block. The freeze plugs (there are usually several) will supposedly pop out under such conditions, to relieve internal pressure on the block.

As far as can be determined[citation needed] this is an "urban legend". No manufacturer has come forward and stated that the holes in the side of any engine block are there for freeze protection. It is possible and even likely, that freezing water will push a core plug out. If the water doesn't freeze solid it is possible that there will be no damage to the block, but in most cases of a "hard freeze", the water jackets in the block will be cracked as well.

choneofakind · January 7th, 2015, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninja Rob

There isnt. When I bought it, it was empty and I just added water in the radiator.

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_do_...the_coolant.3F

Drain. fill. purge air.

crazymadbastard · January 7th, 2015, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninja Rob

There isnt. When I bought it, it was empty and I just added water in the radiator.

get any old anti freeze. I use walmart or prestone just dont buy that orange(g12 maybe for vw or
special gm crap)- not compatible with normal green stuff.

Finesse · January 7th, 2015, 09:42 PM

you don't need to do anything.

jkv45 · January 8th, 2015, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninja Rob

There isnt. When I bought it, it was empty and I just added water in the radiator.

Oh...that changes things...

Absolutely do not use water only in the cooling system. As everyone has said - buy pre-diluted antifreeze and fill the system after completely draining it (overflow tank too).

Antifreeze/coolant does more than just keep the water from freezing. It has corrosion inhibitors, lubricants, and also increase the boiling point - an engine needs it.

Anytime you add water to the cooling system it should not be regular tap water. Tap water contains minerals that will build-up inside the system. Distilled, Deionized, over even filtered drinking water are better choices.

It would take more than 32F to freeze the water solid, but get it out of there ASAP just to be safe.

The battery isn't a problem unless it's weak to start with.

Keep the tank almost full. Use ethanol-free 87 or the lowest octane you can get without ethanol.

crazymadbastard · January 8th, 2015, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninja Rob

Tonight will be the one night out of the entire year that temperatures will go down to about 20 degrees fahrenheit.
The temperature drop will only be a one night thing but I would still rather take precautions than have that ONE night keep my bike off the road for days.

I do not have a garage or storage but I have a carport. What kind of antifreeze do you recommend and what other winterizing should I do?

I will also take out the battery and bring it inside with me. I also have a battery charger to maintain the battery.

Thanks!

omg! what DID you do??

Ninja Rob · January 8th, 2015, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkv45

Oh...that changes things...

Absolutely do not use water only in the cooling system. As everyone has said - buy pre-diluted antifreeze and fill the system after completely draining it (overflow tank too).

Antifreeze/coolant does more than just keep the water from freezing. It has corrosion inhibitors, lubricants, and also increase the boiling point - an engine needs it.

Anytime you add water to the cooling system it should not be regular tap water. Tap water contains minerals that will build-up inside the system. Distilled, Deionized, over even filtered drinking water are better choices.

It would take more than 32F to freeze the water solid, but get it out of there ASAP just to be safe.

The battery isn't a problem unless it's weak to start with.

Keep the tank almost full. Use ethanol-free 87 or the lowest octane you can get without ethanol.

Thank you for those tips. It didnt freeze last night or hit anywhere near 20 degrees. I havnt done anything yet because it was dark and cold outside so it will have to wait for my day off. I also bought the wrong anti freeze and have been sleep deprived lately so I dont wanna work on it until I have a fresh, well rested mind. Should be in the 40`s tomorrow, if Im not on call for work, Im gonna get it fixed.

Ghostt · January 8th, 2015, 07:35 PM

All else fails, park it in the living room

Ninja Rob · January 8th, 2015, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghostt

All else fails, park it in the living room

I live on the second floor.

Ghostt · January 8th, 2015, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninja Rob

I live on the second floor.

Well make friend on the first floor, hope that she's cute

alex.s · January 8th, 2015, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninja Rob

Thank you for those tips. It didnt freeze last night or hit anywhere near 20 degrees. I havnt done anything yet because it was dark and cold outside so it will have to wait for my day off. I also bought the wrong anti freeze and have been sleep deprived lately so I dont wanna work on it until I have a fresh, well rested mind. Should be in the 40`s tomorrow, if Im not on call for work, Im gonna get it fixed.

what do you mean the wrong antifreeze?

crazymadbastard · January 9th, 2015, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

what do you mean the wrong antifreeze?

i bet he got rv antifreeze- cheap and its for the toilets

Ninja Rob · January 9th, 2015, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

what do you mean the wrong antifreeze?

.

Please excuse my newbieness,

This is what I got

http://www.peakauto.com/products/ant...g-life-50-50-/

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...ord=antifreeze

The guy at the store didn't know which one I needed so he called his friend who works at a motorcycle shop and they said they use Peak. I recall somewhere in this thread someone said that its green and this one is yellow. I still have the receipt and have not opened the bottle yet so I can exchange it if I need to. Motorcycles are not a big thing where I live so motorcycle knowledge is scarce and usually not very reliable. The few mechanics that we have are "quick fix mechanics".

Once again,
Please excuse my newbieness

allanoue · January 9th, 2015, 09:17 AM

that is fine.
you are good go
get that water out ASAP

Ninja Rob · January 9th, 2015, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allanoue

that is fine.
you are good go
get that water out ASAP

Do I got to flush it out with distilled water or should I be fine just by draining it out?

Ninja Rob · January 9th, 2015, 09:31 AM

Look what I found.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4i9ajWOk14

alex.s · January 9th, 2015, 10:28 AM

so not to back up a few steps but i dont believe he ever said he drained the radiator... he said the overflow was empty...

was the radiator empty? or just the overflow tank? theres a big difference

Ninja Rob · January 9th, 2015, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

so not to back up a few steps but i dont believe he ever said he drained the radiator... he said the overflow was empty...

was the radiator empty? or just the overflow tank? theres a big difference

Both were empty. Both radiator and coolent reservoir. I only added water to the radiator.

alex.s · January 9th, 2015, 11:39 AM

don't do that

Ninja Rob · January 9th, 2015, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

don't do that

I did that a few weeks ago, Im gonna drain all the water out and then add that anti freeze that I bought.

alex.s · January 9th, 2015, 12:06 PM

remember to bleed the air out

jkv45 · January 9th, 2015, 12:32 PM

I would follow these instructions if you are not familiar with draining, filling, and bleeding the cooling system - http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_do_...ling_system%3F

Hero Danny · January 9th, 2015, 12:37 PM

Lol, OP is worrying about 20 degrees... hahahahaha....

alex.s · January 9th, 2015, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hero Danny

Lol, OP is worrying about 20 degrees... hahahahaha....

20 degrees is under freezing.

with no antifreeze, this is potentially damaging.

so in response to your haha; no. you're simply wrong in your jaded sense of what is cold enough to cause damage.

allanoue · January 9th, 2015, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.s

don't do that

you reminded me of Ned the Head in Groundhog Day

"Watch out for that first step, Is's a doozy"

alex.s · January 9th, 2015, 01:56 PM

dang. now i want to watch groundhog day.

January 7th, 2015, 06:08 PM	#1
Ninja Rob ninjette.org guru Name: Rob Location: Texas Join Date: Sep 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Ninja 250 Posts: 342	Winterizing for one day Tonight will be the one night out of the entire year that temperatures will go down to about 20 degrees fahrenheit. The temperature drop will only be a one night thing but I would still rather take precautions than have that ONE night keep my bike off the road for days. I do not have a garage or storage but I have a carport. What kind of antifreeze do you recommend and what other winterizing should I do? I will also take out the battery and bring it inside with me. I also have a battery charger to maintain the battery. Thanks! __________________________________________________ Before life ends, Some people want to climb Mount Everest, some want to go to Disney Land, some people want to visit Paris. Me, I want to ride a motorcycle. Last futzed with by Ninja Rob; January 7th, 2015 at 06:10 PM. Reason: .

January 7th, 2015, 06:23 PM	#2
Skullz ninjette.org guru Name: Ray Location: 48162 Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250 Posts: 450	You'll be fine for temps that low unless your antifreeze isn't mixed correctly. The battery will be fine also unless it is a few years old and getting a bit weak. i rode all last winter with temps that dropped below 0 with no ill effects other than longer to warm up times and partial choke full time.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

January 7th, 2015, 06:27 PM	#3
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	high strung much? Relax, you worry too much. If it's got the regular old green coolant, you're fine. Besides, 'winterizing' isn't so much prepping your bike for winter, it's prepping the bike for 4 months of storage, aka, winter.
	2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.

January 7th, 2015, 06:29 PM	#4
Ninja Rob ninjette.org guru Name: Rob Location: Texas Join Date: Sep 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Ninja 250 Posts: 342	Ok so what kind of anti freeze is good? Im going to the auto parts store nearby. __________________________________________________ Before life ends, Some people want to climb Mount Everest, some want to go to Disney Land, some people want to visit Paris. Me, I want to ride a motorcycle.

January 7th, 2015, 06:31 PM	#5
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	better sacrifice a goat and drape the warm body over the gas tank to keep it warm for the night. "and i thought they smelled bad.... on the outside!" __________________________________________________
	2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.

January 7th, 2015, 06:33 PM	#8
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Fwiw, in the last week, I think the temp has made it UP to 20... once. My car sits outside and guess what? it's completely fine. Go figure. Your motorcycle is intended to endure the same use and conditions as any car. It will be fine. chill.

January 7th, 2015, 06:37 PM	#10
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	The point is he's so hyper about this because he's new and he really has no reason to be. There's a 99.999% chance he has the regular old glycol coolant. Whens the last time you saw that freeze at any regular temperature of a location that sees 20 once a year? ...derp. It's NOT going to freeze at that temp with regular old green glycol coolant.
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

January 7th, 2015, 06:40 PM	#12
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Have you been riding it like this? is there any coolant in the system? Open the radiator cap and take a peek. Regular old glycol based green coolant.

January 7th, 2015, 09:42 PM	#18
Finesse ran when parked Name: Katie Location: DC/MD Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): Freeride 250R, KLX250SF, mopeds Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '17, Dec '14	you don't need to do anything. __________________________________________________ Instagram: @katie.baden
	2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.

January 8th, 2015, 07:35 PM	#22
Ghostt in your machine Name: Scott Location: Summer Shade, Ky. Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 98 Ninja 250/F12 aka ZX-2R "SERENITY", 91 Ninja 500/A5 aka ZX-5R "Phoenix", 84 Honda GL1200A "SIREN" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 25 MOTM - Jun '17, May '16, Mar '15	All else fails, park it in the living room __________________________________________________ *violente et ignorantia* ZX-2R BLOG *Twitter and Instagram = Ghostt_Scott* *I'm not here to change your mind, just to inform.*

January 9th, 2015, 09:17 AM	#28
allanoue ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Al Location: York, Pa Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300..............2008 Ninja 500-sold...2009 Ninja 250-Crashed Posts: Too much. MOTM - Sep '14	that is fine. you are good go get that water out ASAP __________________________________________________ Keep calm and ride on -Motofool Never quit on a rainy day -ally99

January 9th, 2015, 09:31 AM	#30
Ninja Rob ninjette.org guru Name: Rob Location: Texas Join Date: Sep 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Ninja 250 Posts: 342	Look what I found. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4i9ajWOk14 __________________________________________________ Before life ends, Some people want to climb Mount Everest, some want to go to Disney Land, some people want to visit Paris. Me, I want to ride a motorcycle.

January 9th, 2015, 10:28 AM	#31
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	so not to back up a few steps but i dont believe he ever said he drained the radiator... he said the overflow was empty... was the radiator empty? or just the overflow tank? theres a big difference __________________________________________________

January 9th, 2015, 11:39 AM	#33
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	don't do that __________________________________________________

January 9th, 2015, 12:06 PM	#35
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	remember to bleed the air out __________________________________________________

January 9th, 2015, 12:32 PM	#36
jkv45 Rev Limiter Name: Jay Location: WI Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): '06 SV650n, '00 Derbi GPR, '64 CA77 Dream 305, '70 CL450 Scrambler, numerous dirt bikes Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jun '18, Oct '16	I would follow these instructions if you are not familiar with draining, filling, and bleeding the cooling system - http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_do_...ling_system%3F

January 9th, 2015, 12:37 PM	#37
Hero Danny Inline 4!!! Name: Danny Location: MA Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2008 CBR600rr, 1987 KLR 250 Posts: A lot.	Lol, OP is worrying about 20 degrees... hahahahaha.... __________________________________________________ Be careful. Remember you are invisible

January 9th, 2015, 01:56 PM	#40
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	dang. now i want to watch groundhog day. __________________________________________________

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