How to Properly Store a 1971 Honda CL175 - Scrambler for Winter
Shop parts for a 1971 Honda CL175 - Scrambler Motorcycle.
A 1971 Honda CL175 - Scrambler that goes into winter storage properly prepared comes out of it in spring ready to start. The CL175 - Scrambler is a carbureted, kickstart, air-cooled machine, and understanding that configuration is the starting point for the checklist below: some sections apply to this bike and some do not, based on whether it has electric start, a cooling system, and what type of fuel delivery it uses. Work through the applicable sections before the bike goes away for the season.
Why the Fuel System Needs Attention Before the CL175 - Scrambler Goes into Storage
The fuel in the CL175 - Scrambler’s tank and carburetor is the first thing to address before putting the bike away for winter. Modern gasoline, particularly ethanol-blended fuel, degrades more quickly than traditional fuel because the ethanol fraction separates from gasoline when the blend sits and absorbs moisture. Fuel left in the tank without stabilizer over a winter layoff loses its combustion quality, deposits varnish in the fuel system, and allows moisture to accumulate at the tank bottom.
After running the treated fuel through the CL175 - Scrambler’s carburetor, shut the petcock off and allow the engine to run until it stalls from fuel starvation. This empties the float bowl of the treated fuel and leaves the bowl and jet passages essentially dry rather than filled with stabilized fuel that can still slowly varnish over a long winter. This extra step beyond simply adding stabilizer gives the best of both approaches: the fuel in the tank and lines is stabilized against moisture and degradation, and the carburetor passages are left dry and protected.
Why Tires Need Attention Before the CL175 - Scrambler Goes Into Storage
Set the tire pressure on the CL175 - Scrambler correctly before storage and plan to check it at least once or twice during the winter. Tires that are noticeably low when the bike comes out of storage have been sitting under full load with reduced pressure, which increases the risk of flat-spotting and can stress the sidewalls where they repeatedly flex against the rim edge. For long-term storage, some riders inflate to the upper end of the manufacturer’s recommended range to account for gradual pressure loss, though not beyond the maximum rating on the tire sidewall.
Storing the CL175 - Scrambler on a paddock stand—particularly a combination of front and rear stands that lifts both wheels completely off the ground—eliminates the flat-spotting concern entirely and is the preferred approach for longer storage periods. Without a stand, placing the CL175 - Scrambler on a smooth, hard surface rather than on soil or grass that may settle or shift under the tires reduces but doesn’t eliminate the flat-spot risk from sustained weight in one position. Periodically moving the bike a few inches forward or backward so the contact patch rotates is the practical alternative for ground-stored bikes.
Pre-Storage Oil Change: Protecting the CL175 - Scrambler’s Engine Over Winter
The pre-storage oil change on the CL175 - Scrambler is one of the most consistently recommended winter preparation steps, and the reason is specific: combustion byproducts that accumulate in the oil during the riding season continue to cause slow damage to engine surfaces when the bike sits with that oil in it over winter. Oil that has absorbed acidic combustion gases is measurably more acidic than fresh oil, and the acids don’t dissipate when the engine is idle—they remain in the oil in contact with the metal surfaces the oil is supposed to protect.
The oil filter is worth replacing at the same time as the oil on the CL175 - Scrambler before storage. A filter that has accumulated sediment and trapped particles during the season will slowly leach some of those contaminants back into the fresh oil during the static winter storage period, partially defeating the benefit of the oil change. Starting storage with a new filter and fresh oil ensures the entire lubrication system is as clean as practical at the beginning of the layoff. If the filter is overdue for replacement by mileage anyway, this is a natural time to address it.
Final Cleaning and Cover: Getting the CL175 - Scrambler Ready for the Off-Season
The pre-storage wash on the CL175 - Scrambler is the step that preserves the finish quality the rider will see when the bike comes out of storage in spring. Contaminants that are merely unattractive during the riding season become damaging given the months of static contact that winter storage provides. Tar spots, insect residue, and chain lube overspray on painted surfaces all have the opportunity to bond more firmly to the finish during a long storage period than they would in normal riding use.
The storage cover choice for the CL175 - Scrambler is worth a moment of consideration. A breathable motorcycle cover in a dry, sheltered location is the ideal combination: the cover keeps dust and environmental debris off the bike while the breathable material allows moisture vapor to escape rather than accumulating inside the cover where it has nowhere to go but onto the bike’s surfaces.
Pre-Storage Final Walkover on the CL175 - Scrambler
Lubricating the CL175 - Scrambler’s drive chain before storage is a step that is easy to do now and prevents rust from forming on the chain’s side plates and rollers during the winter layoff. A chain that goes into storage with fresh lubricant between the side plates and on the rollers is far better protected against corrosion than one that stored dry or with old, dried lubricant that has cracked away from the metal surfaces.
With the winterization checklist complete on the CL175 - Scrambler, a brief written note of what was done and when makes the spring startup far more straightforward. Knowing the oil was changed before storage, the fuel was treated with stabilizer, and the battery has been on a maintainer eliminates guesswork about what preparation was done when the bike comes back out in spring. A note taped to the CL175 - Scrambler’s handlebars or kept with the key listing what was done and on what date ensures the spring startup can be planned efficiently and any skipped items addressed before the first ride.
Related Shopping Categories
Shop Fuel Stabilizer for a 1971 Honda CL175 - Scrambler Motorcycle.
Shop Batteries & Battery Chargers for a 1971 Honda CL175 - Scrambler Motorcycle.
Shop Oil and Fluids for a 1971 Honda CL175 - Scrambler Motorcycle.
Shop Tires for a 1971 Honda CL175 - Scrambler Motorcycle.
Shop Motorcycle Covers for a 1971 Honda CL175 - Scrambler Motorcycle.
Disclaimer: This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to replace your motorcycle's official owner's manual. Always refer to your manufacturer's documentation for model-specific instructions, torque specifications, safety procedures, and maintenance requirements. If you are unsure or inexperienced, consider seeking assistance from a qualified mechanic or technician.
