"Pure gas". How long does it stay good?

[KEITH KRAUSE]

The description only says "aluminum". I just remembered my Pingel fuel valve is aluminum. It's 20 years old and was rebuilt last year by Pingel (lever became very stiff) and they told me nothing special was needed or done regarding cleaning before rebuilding it. So I suppose aluminum lasts.

[Steve]

Steve, you should look into the Marine version Stabil. You only need 1 oz for 5 gallons.

I think this season will probably finish out my current supply, so will look into the marine version.

Have not looked for it, so I don't know if it's available locally. Will find out soon.

.

[Nessism]

The description only says "aluminum". I just remembered my Pingel fuel valve is aluminum. It's 20 years old and was rebuilt last year by Pingel (lever became very stiff) and they told me nothing special was needed or done regarding cleaning before rebuilding it. So I suppose aluminum lasts.

Actually, aluminum corrodes easily unless it's anodized. The corrosion takes the form of a dull blackish looking surface finish but that will turn to white if the corrosion keeps going. Those aluminum Tee's concern me for that reason. I like brass better for that reason.

[chuck hahn]

Why dont you guys all read the manual under "long term storage".

[Nessism]

Why dont you guys all read the manual under "long term storage".

Keith is not putting his bike in long term storage.

[Sandy]

With your situation why not plug the vacuum line to the carb and just run it on prime when you ride it. Sounds weird but gives you an easier way to run the carbs dry after a ride by just switching to the on position. You're not riding it much so making the petcock manual with no reserve shouldn't be a big inconvenience. Then every few months drain the tank into your car and refresh the fuel.

[chuck hahn]

5 months IS long enough and I would indeed follow it as a "long term" based on how gas can quickly gump jet holes up...

[Spyder]

I've been using stabil religiously every year in my bikes. I have only rebuilt my GS carbs once, and that was the year after I bought it... I don't drain it out in the spring, I just run some Sea Foam through it with the old gas before a tank of fresh fuel.

If I were you, I would fill it, Stabil it, and not worry too much about it. I have to add, I don't know what Stabil will do in "Pure Gas", as it is advertised as a stabilizer for modern fuels. May want to read the labeling. But if you just use the crappy ethanol fuels and a bit more than recommended stabil dose, you should be just fine...

[Sandy]

5 months IS long enough and I would indeed follow it as a "long term" based on how gas can quickly gump jet holes up...

Bit of a pain putting your bike into long term storage after every ride. I think that's sort of the point of Keith's question. Otherwise yes, put it into long term storage if it's going to just sit.

[chuck hahn]

I just got my nighthawk out of storage last week after well over 2 years. I used the method I outlined when putting it away. New battery and a gallon of gas and rode away like i had ridden it the day before. Im a believer in my process and follow it religiously...5 months worth or 5 years.

[chuck hahn]

Duration isnt the issue. Preperation is the issue here.

[Dogma]

I just got my nighthawk out of storage last week after well over 2 years. I used the method I outlined when putting it away. New battery and a gallon of gas and rode away like i had ridden it the day before. Im a believer in my process and follow it religiously...5 months worth or 5 years.

Well, at least we know your process doesn't hurt.

[chuck hahn]

when you switch back and forth between 14 bikes you dont need to spend days rebuuilding crap thats 100% preventable.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Sandy, I have a Pingel fuel valve. At the end of each ride I would turn it off a minute or two before parking. I wait until the fuel level in the bowls is too low to allow the bike to keep running and I turn it off.
Part of the problem is I don't ride the bike enough, but it's when hot weather comes that the carbs begin gumming up. I'm guessing the garage gets at least 100-105 inside. My garage at my California home gets in the upper 90's (never had a gumming carb problem) but I think the extra 5-10 degrees really matters. There's no simple or inexpensive fix to the problem other than keeping the garage door partially open and I don't like doing that.
I don't know why the Stabil doesn't work in my case other than the heat problem may be too much. It's funny how my 25 year old lawn mower has never had a fuel problem and it stays in a metal shed all year. That shed gets so hot it would kill anyone if they were inside. No Stabil. Sometimes the mower isn't used for up to 3 months. No problems. It's kind of ridiculous how easily the pilot circuit gets gummed up in the VM carbs.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

So what do you guys think? With pure gas, if I make sure to add fresh gas every 6 weeks, do you think that would stop the carbs from gumming up? From what I've read, it seems like over-kill but I want to be sure.
Thanks for any thoughts.