Tech Tip - Winter Battery Care

Want to prolong you battery life throughout the winter? 

Besides using a battery tender to help ensure your battery stays charged we recommend putting your bikes alarm system into storage mode.   By putting your bikes alarm in storage mode it will help your battery tender maintain the battery more effectively as your alarm system is a constant draw from the bikes battery.  Your battery and battery tender will last longer by doing this simple step. 

Here is how it’s done:

For bikes that are from 2006 and later

To Enter Winter Storage Mode:

1.    Turn the ignition switch to IGNITION
2.    Set the engine stop switch to OFF
3.    With an assigned fob within range, turn the ignition switch from IGNITION to ACC
4.    Simultaneously press both the left and the right turn signal switches. This must be done within five seconds of turning the ignition switch to ACC
5.     After the turn signals flash once, turn the ignition switch to OFF and the module is armed
6.    Confirmation: Turn signal blinks three times when armed for one ignition cycle

To Exit Storage Mode and Return the system to normal operation:

With the fob present, turn the ignition switch to IGNITION to disarm the HFSM. To cancel the transport mode, set the engine stop switch to RUN.

Tony D. & the Wild Fire Service Team

Tech Tip - Oil Changes

Is changing your engine oil every 2500 miles a rip-off? Possibly. If you drive gently and only drive on the highway in moderate temperatures or don't plan on keeping your bike more than 20,000 - 30,000 miles from new, then you can safely extend those oil change intervals.

Mechanics recommend oil changes every 2500 miles not because they like doing them, in fact oil changes are not high on their want to do list, but because everyday they see the difference in bikes that have been serviced regularly and those that haven't. Plugged oil passages or oil pump inlet screens, lifter or other engine noises, stuck piston rings, loss of oil pressure, premature engine wear or failure - all symptoms of extended oil changes.  Some engines are more forgiving than others. Some can withstand the abuse to over 100,000 miles while others may show symptoms by 20,000 miles
Your gamble.

Engine oil carries metal that has worn away, dirt and moisture from the air and combustion gasses that gets past the piston rings and sludge from chemical processes. These materials increase friction on metal parts and seals and causes seals and gaskets to harden. These contaminates also dilute and wear out the additives in the oil that maintain viscosity and counter sludge formation.

The extra cost of oil changes every 2500  miles versus 5 or 6 thousand is a lot less than most engine repairs. Using a good synthetic oil is a better way to extend those oil changes to 5,000 miles or more.

Engine deposits and wear are slow, sure killers of performance and engine life. In most cases, by the time you are aware of an issue, the damage has been done and often cannot be reversed without a major engine repair or replacement. Changing the oil in a vehicle at the appropriate drain interval is the easiest, most cost-effective insurance against lubricant-related engine damage.

Tony D. & the Service Team at Wild Fire Harley-Davidson
120 W. North Ave. - Villa Park, IL 60181
800.400.RIDE - www.wildfirehd.com

Tech Tip - Winter Storage

It’s that sad time a year again where we will be putting our Harley’s away for the winter.   There are some important points that will ensure your bike is ready for long term storage.
Depending on how long you'll be storing your bike, you'll want to make sure your bike emerges as undamaged from rust, corrosion, and inactivity as possible.

Here is a list of things you may want to consider as a necessity for “Winter Storage”.

1.    Battery Tender and Battery Lead
2.    Fuel Stabilizer
3.    S100 Cleaner and S100 Corrosion Spray / Harley Cleaning Products
4.    Motorcycle Stand or Lift
5.    Motorcycle Cover

1, First things first, clean your bike; remove any road grime, tar, bugs etc…
The S100 and Harley products available make this an easy task.
If your bike is stored in your garage (where your daily cars are in and out) we suggest using the S100 Corrosion spray. This will prevent salt damage brought in by your car. Using a Harley-Davidson breathable bike cover will also help to keep your bike clean and safe from salt while in storage.

2, Top off your fuel tank and add fuel stabilizer.
You should start your bike to move the gas and stabilizer mixture through the lines.  If you’re on a carbureted bike run the bike then turn petcock to off and let the bike run until it dies to ensure gas has been cleared from the bowl.

3, Ensure your tires are inflated to spec. the use of a stand or lift can help keep your tires off the cold concrete in unheated garages. Extended contact with concrete can also lead to dry-rot in tires. It’s crucial to ensure your tires are not in direct contact with untreated concrete for an extended period of time.

4, Hook up a battery tender, this will help maintain a healthy battery and its extend its life span by keeping it at a proper charge.
A Harley-Davidson Tender is the best choice as it’s a simple self monitoring charger. 

One huge word of advice is to never start your bike during the storage period thinking this will help keep your bikes battery charged.  This is one of the worst things you can do to your motorcycle!

If you are not a “do-it-yourself” type person we can always help you out with your winter storage needs here at Wild Fire. Visit: www.wildfirehd.com/service.asp for more information on our Winter Storage Program.

We will keep your bike warm and safe all you need to do is talk one of our staff members for more details!

See you on the road this Spring!

The Service Team at Wild Fire H-D

Tech Tip - Tire Pressure

Now is a good time to check your tire pressures and make sure your tire treads are in good shape for fall weather riding. With temperatures changing so can the air pressure in your tires. The sidewall of your tires will show what max air pressure should be. Always check your tire pressures when the tire is cold (before the tire heats up from riding) this will allow correct max pressure. Running cold max tire pressure will give you better handling & longer tire life. The roads can be slick with wet leaves and cold surfaces this time of year. So be safe on all your back roads adventures.