The Right Way to Winterize a 1981 Suzuki GS850G
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The steps in this winterization guide are tailored specifically to the 1981 Suzuki GS850G—a carbureted, electric-start, air-cooled motorcycle. Each section addresses what storage does to a specific system on a bike with this configuration, and why the preparation steps recommended here protect those systems over the months of inactivity a full winter layoff involves.
Why Battery Maintenance During Storage Matters on the GS850G
Connecting a smart battery maintainer to the GS850G’s battery before putting the bike into winter storage is the single most reliable way to ensure the battery is at full capacity and ready to start the engine when spring riding season arrives. Without a maintainer, a battery that was fully charged when the bike went into storage will lose charge through self-discharge over months, and the parasitic electrical draw from the GS850G’s electronic systems—immobilizer, clock, ECU memory—accelerates this discharge.
If a maintainer won’t be connected during storage, disconnect the negative battery terminal to eliminate the parasitic draw from the GS850G’s electronics. A disconnected battery self-discharges at a very slow natural rate from chemical processes inside the cells rather than from current being drawn out of it. Before disconnecting, note any radio or clock settings that will be lost when battery power is removed. After reconnecting in spring, clean the terminal contacts before installation—even a few months of storage can develop enough oxidation on the posts to add meaningful resistance to the starting circuit.
Carburetor and Fuel: The Most Important Winter Prep Step on the GS850G
Carbureted bikes like the GS850G have a predictable winter storage vulnerability in the fuel system: raw, unstabilized gasoline sitting in the float bowl varnishes over a period of months, depositing a gummy residue that clogs the pilot jet and other small passages. The pilot jet controls fuel delivery at idle and low throttle and is the smallest orifice in the carburetor, making it the first to restrict when varnish accumulates.
Some riders prefer to drain the carburetor rather than run stabilized fuel through it. Either approach is effective, and the choice often comes down to how the petcock and float bowl drain are configured on the GS850G. If the petcock has a reserve position and a drain port accessible without tools, draining the bowl is quick and leaves the internal jet passages dry and unexposed to degrading fuel all winter.
Why an Oil Change Before Winter Is Better Than Waiting Until Spring
Changing the oil on the GS850G before winter storage rather than at the start of spring is a timing choice that significantly benefits the engine’s condition over the storage period. Used engine oil accumulates acids from combustion blowby during the riding season, and these acids are present in the oil even when the engine isn’t running.
Run the GS850G until fully warm before draining the oil for the pre-storage change—warm oil flows more completely from the sump and carries more contaminants with it than cold oil that has settled and thickened. Replace the oil filter at the same time; a used filter contains trapped contaminants that can leach back into the fresh oil over the storage period. After filling with fresh oil, run the engine briefly to circulate the new oil through the entire lubrication system before the bike is put away.
Protecting the GS850G’s Tires Over the Winter Layoff
Tire condition going into winter storage on the GS850G sets the starting point for the first spring ride, and tires that are at or near the end of their service life before storage are not going to improve over winter. Assess both tires before storage: check tread depth and look at the sidewalls for cracking or checking that indicates age-related rubber hardening.
The ideal storage situation for the GS850G’s tires is with both wheels elevated off the ground using front and rear paddock stands. This takes all the weight off the tires and prevents flat-spotting entirely, regardless of how long the bike sits.
Clean Before You Cover: Why Pre-Storage Washing Matters on the GS850G
Putting the GS850G into winter storage clean matters for the condition of its finish by spring. The same road grime, brake dust, and insect residue that would be washed off at the end of any typical ride instead has months to sit in contact with paint and chrome when the bike is stored dirty. Brake dust in particular contains metallic particles that embed in paint surfaces and cause rust spots under the clear coat when left in contact with moisture over an extended period.
After the GS850G is clean and dry, apply a light protectant to chrome and polished metal surfaces to slow oxidation during the storage period. Chrome that is clean and protected before storage comes out of winter looking significantly better than chrome that stored dirty or unprotected, because the protective film prevents moisture from accessing the metal surface during the months of inactivity. Use a breathable motorcycle cover for storage—a cover that allows moisture vapor to pass through rather than trapping it against the bike’s surfaces.
Last Checks Before Storage: Leaks, Chain, and What to Note
A final leak check before the GS850G goes into storage identifies any fluid issues that should be addressed before the bike sits for winter rather than in spring. Walk around the bike and look under the engine for oil drips, under the fork legs for hydraulic fluid streaks that indicate weeping fork seals, and around the brake master cylinders and calipers for brake fluid seepage.
Lubricating the GS850G’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.
Related Shopping Categories
Shop Fuel Stabilizer for a 1981 Suzuki GS850G Motorcycle.
Shop Batteries & Battery Chargers for a 1981 Suzuki GS850G Motorcycle.
Shop Oil and Fluids for a 1981 Suzuki GS850G Motorcycle.
Shop Tires for a 1981 Suzuki GS850G Motorcycle.
Shop Motorcycle Covers for a 1981 Suzuki GS850G 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.
