Winter storage gas in or out?

[Anonymous]

As we in the north country begin to think about the un thinkable..... putting our bikes into cold storage, what is the advice about either draining the gas tank dry, or filling it up to the top so there is no potential for condensation. I always drain the carb bowls.
Any other known good proceedures on bike storage is much appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike N.

[Anonymous]

i would drain it becuz after a couple of months that gas is bad or just add a fuel additive than drain it when you take it back out next season

i live in AZ now but grewq up in ham lake mn what part of mn you live?

[Anonymous]

http://www.clarity.net/~adam/winter-storage.html#1

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/viewtopic.php?t=14866

They say the idea is to keep gas in the tank to keep rust out and to put stabilizer in the fuel to keep it from going gummy. I've also heard that it doesn't matter whether you drain the bowls because you should mix the stabilizer in well, then run it through the engine for a few minutes, so the whole bike has no gas that does not also have stabilizer. You could also disconnect the fuel supply and then run the bike until it quits. That way you have a better chance of clear fuel out of the whole carb, not just the bowl.

Michael

[Anonymous]

I would use fuel stabilizer in a full tank and run the bike long enough to get this treated fuel into the carbs. Without a full tank you run the risk of condensation and rusting of the tank. The stabilizer will keep the gas from gumming up the carbs and will keep it fresh.

[argonsagas]

It may be difficult to overestimate the value of fuel stabilizer.

I bought an ancient Toyota a few years ago. Fed it stabilizer, parked it, and forgot it for a couple of years, except to charge the battery.


Recently, pulled the plugs, squirted in oil, spun the engine....walked away.
Came back a week later, spun the engine, re-installed the plugs......turned the key......... it started instantly

[robben]

It may be difficult to overestimate the value of fuel stabilizer.

My vote's with Ron. Definitely, fuel stabilizer. And in the springtime, take it out for a good run and use up the tank of gas, so you've got room to put in fresh fuel for the next outing. You'll be wanting a good n' long leisurely run to blow the cabin fever cobwebs outta your head at the same time anyways... 8)

Robben

[Anonymous]

I agree, full tank, + fuel stabilizer

[Gary Lich]

I agree, full tank, + fuel stabilizer

Dittos with the above.... I used to drain the tank/carbs and coat the inside of tank with oil every year when I lived in the frozen northland. More hassle & more carb problems. Fill it with stabilized fresh gas, run it for few minutes to get it in the carbs, squirt a couple of shots of oil into the spark plug holes, crank the engine over a couple of times, replace the plugs and let er sit till spring.

[mdole]

I agree with everyone on the fuel stabilizer. I usually don't put my bike up for the winter but occasionally I have put up one or more of the dirt bikes and I know that the reflex hadn't been started in about 8 months when I rode it in a trials.

I had filled with gas treated with Sta-Bil brand stabilizer and it started right up and I ran it with the treated gas in it with no problems.

I have used this product for several years and have had really great luck with it. I even used some 2 year old treated gas in my chainsaw without any problems.

Mike

[jimcor]

StaBil and then fill 'er up! Stuff is great.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Leave the stabil treated fuel in the carbs Otherwise the gaskets and
O rings may dry out

[Clone]

I pour a whole bottle of Stabil in my tank and drain the carbs after i have let the Stabil get into the carbs, usually drive it back from Canadian tire. Drain the carbs and let 'er sit for the winter. In the spring I drain out the stabilized gas (use it in the lawn mower) put a whole bottle of fuel system cleaner into the new tank of gas and run it low on reserve. So far, I haven't had a problem with dirty carbs. 8)