How to completely drain tank

[Jonesz]

So I plan to store my 79 GS850 till next spring. Plan is to drain the carbs and tank. Might be a bit of a dumb ? but wondering if I put the petcock on Prime will that drain the entire tank or is the reserve left after it drains. Hope to store it a dry as possible due to ethanol fuel and rusting. Thanks for any advice including better ways to store the bike. Ethanol free fuel is not an option where I live.

[rphillips]

NO, Don't drain the tank!!! It will rust very quickly. Put on center stand and fill it as full as you can pack it, can't rust without air. fuller it is the less air pocket will be in there. Possibly if you got all the gas out then coat the inside with some kind of oily something may work, but I've never tried it.

[Jonesz]

Yep I hear ya. Have always stored my bikes with a full tank added some Stabil and have had good luck the next season. So just run the carbs dry, drain the bowls and maybe put a hose on the tank that I can shut off with confidence. I don't have much faith in the petcock on my bike as it has periodically leaked. Always wished it had a positive shutoff like the ones on my Hondas. Thanks for the heads up.

[rphillips]

Jonesz you're irritating me, why did you bring up them dang Hondas? My CB1100F has the worst fuel supply system ever, figured your Honda's may be the same. If I run out of gas, or let mine sit for long period, the bowls get empty, The vacuum shut-off is on the carbs & has "NO PRI". Only way to get bowls filled is crank with starter till bowls get full, or get & keep it running on starting fluid till bowls fill... Is there a way I don't know about??

[Rijko]

Only way to get bowls filled is crank with starter till bowls get full, or get & keep it running on starting fluid till bowls fill... Is there a way I don't know about??

how about unhooking the vacuum line to carbs at tap side, attach new vacuum line to tap and suck to activate ? Works fine for me.

[Nessism]

I like the marine Stabil, and a heavy dose at that. Do that, fill to the top, run the bike to make sure the Stabil fuel gets into the carbs, then pull off the fuel line and drain the carbs. Can't go wrong that way.

[rphillips]

That seems like a whole lot of work to get down to the valve & vacuum line on my carbs. I've thought of something like that several times, but never tackled it yet. I's thinking a "T" in that vacuum line & a length of hose off that "T" over to behind a side cover, with a cap (plug) in it, so wouldn't affect normal operation. .When needed remove cover & cap, suck to open valve to fill bowls, then recap line. I dun'no, I just know it was a terrible design.

[Jonesz]

I like the marine Stabil, and a heavy dose at that. Do that, fill to the top, run the bike to make sure the Stabil fuel gets into the carbs, then pull off the fuel line and drain the carbs. Can't go wrong that way.

Going to follow this procedure. It is much like I have done in the past, except pulling off the fuel line, will plug that off after pulling it (in case the petcock leaks again) and drain the carbs.

Rphillips sorry about being an irritation. Most of my "Honda experience is with my Gl1000 & Gl1100 and they have a fuel pump that gets the gas to the carbs from the tank under the seat. They can be cold blooded though. Thanks for your tips.

After taking the carbs off Suzie 3 times for cleaning I don't want to clog anything during storage cause she is running really nice now. But I have other bikes to exercise this season and with the high insurance costs can only afford to have one or two on the go at one time.

[Rijko]

That seems like a whole lot of work to get down to the valve & vacuum line on my carbs. I've thought of something like that several times, but never tackled it yet. I's thinking a "T" in that vacuum line & a length of hose off that "T" over to behind a side cover, with a cap (plug) in it, so wouldn't affect normal operation. .When needed remove cover & cap, suck to open valve to fill bowls, then recap line. I dun'no, I just know it was a terrible design.

terrible design, agreed - especially when you don't drive the bike daily and need to use prime at startup regularly.
Upside is the petcock can be operated and put into PRI manually.
I had a little " screwdriver" on my keychain especially for that purpose, made it from a little piece of flat metal that fits the slot in the petcock ; hole drilled for the keyring on the other side.

[rphillips]

Rijko, one of us is confused, I'm talking about an "83" Honda CB 1100 F, No PRI. on pet cock, Vacuum valve is down on carbs & it has no PRI. It seems you are talking about the "80" Suzuki pet cock that does require a small screwdriver to operate. Neither a good design, but the Honda is waaay worse.

[Rijko]

Rijko, one of us is confused, I'm talking about an "83" Honda CB 1100 F, No PRI. on pet cock, Vacuum valve is down on carbs & it has no PRI. It seems you are talking about the "80" Suzuki pet cock that does require a small screwdriver to operate. Neither a good design, but the Honda is waaay worse.

you are correct ... i was talking about the GS850 petcock. Dunno why, confusion caused.
Not familiar with the CB1100F petcock which is worse i now understand.
Not impressed with that petcock.
Sorry to keep your irritation alive