winter storage

[rider3]

Took my 79 for its last ride of the winter yesterday and drained the float bowls. just wondering if there is anything else I should do to ensure clean carbs in the spring. I put a lot of effort into getting this barn find running this year and would hate to go through Cleaning carbs again in the spring.

[NobleHops]

Did you stabilize the gas in the tank? I'd be certain to do that - but you ideally add that and then gas to the tank to mix it together. Not sure how critical that is but that's what they say to do. An oil change is usually advised for storage...

N.

[Quickster2]

Definitely sta-bil. It is best to use a month before you think to store for the winter. Also, buy 5 gallons of Avgas 100LL and fill up your bike with that and make sure it gets into the fuel system along with the sta-bil. Fresh oil & filter as well. Put cardboard or wood under the center stand and front tire. Use Battery Tender Jr. to keep your battery fresh. if you use Avgas there is less of a concern with the ethanol in regular auto gas. Use marine formula sta-bil if unable to get Avgas. My 2 cents.

[daves79x]

I've said this a million times - drain the carbs for sure, which you did. Then fill the tank with gas (non-ethanol if you can find it, not likely in W PA). That's all you need to worry about engine wise. I haven't stabilized gas in any of my bikes for many years after a bad experience with Stabil reacting to something in both CBX tanks and leaving me with a real mess the next spring. 5 gallons of unstabilized gas won't go stale enough to matter just over the winter. That's what I do and have not had a problem since.

Dave

[rider3]

I think everyone missed the point but dave, I'm more concerned with the gas that may still be in the passage ways ( accelerator pump ) that may not have drained out. Also the way the carbs lean forward it looks like some gas might pool in the front of the float bowls and not drain out. I was thinking about gently blowing some air thru the gas line to help things out. My other two bikes with carbs I just drain the tanks ( plastic or lined so rust is not a issue ) and the float bowls and they are good to go in the spring. I want to make sure I don't end up with gummed up carbs in a few months.

[daves79x]

Give the accelerator pumps a few final squirts by blipping the throttle after you drain the carbs - that will clear the passageways of residual fuel. Don't worry about the small amount of gas left in the bowls. It will evaporate pretty quickly and it's well below any jets so nothing will be harmed by any small amount of residue. In the spring, run some gas through the bowls and drains before starting to clear any residue left. Your bike will fire right up.

Dave

[EMS]

We all may have different approaches and there may be a few that work. In order to eliminate the concern of residual gas in the carbs going bad and clogging jets, I run the bike a few minutes (or miles) with stabilized gas to make sure it gets into the carbs. Then drain or not.

[Mike Cecchini]

Remember... ......draining the carbs and running them dry encourages all the rubber bits to dry out......albeit a little at a time......but they will dry out unless you have the latest rubber bits that Mike Nixon offers.

I like Dave's approach and use it. Remove what you can from the gas tank and find some gas that dosen't have ethanol in it. Most race tracks have it and many small airports also. Put a gallon or so in the bike and run the bike to get it everywhere. Make sure you pump the throttle to get the new gas into the pumper system.

Don't forget the even in the winter gas evaporates, so it's a good thing to turn on the gas every week or so to keep the carbs filled with gas. This is just one of the reasons I disable or remove the &^%$ vacuum petcock gas shut-off. You can just turn on the gas and don't have to start the bike to keep the carbs full of fresh gas.

Stabil works, but not as long as you think it does. Marine Stabil lasts longer......but this still gives you a false sense of security if you store the bike with street gas with ethanol.

Btw..... I've been using non-ethanol track gas in my bikes that sit for years. So far it's good for 5 years without issues. The bikes start-up, run and idle like they did when put away. After 5 yrs I get a little nervous, so I change it out for fresh track gas.

Hey Dave....... they have track gas at Beaver Run Race track which is right on the border of Ohio and Pa on the Pa Pike, the last exit in Pa headed west.....just 5 mins down the road. You probably go that way 5--6 times a year, so just drop in and get 5 gallons. It'll do 5 bikes for 5 years. Cheap.

[daves79x]

There are actually 2 stations right near me that sell 89 octane real gas. They started offering it last summer. It's about the price of premimum ethanol blend. I've been running it when I can and stored all the bikes with it. The Gold Wing and the '80 CBX sure like it better than ethanol. 3-4 mpg better on the Gold Wing and the '80 runs super on it. Don't know how long they'll continue to keep selling it, hope until the subsidies go away and we can all buy real gas again.

Dave

[Houtman]

My solution to the question of winterstorage was easy:move south and you can use your bike the whole year round! All joking apart ,it is nice to be able to have a longer riding season than when we lived in upstate New York.The one habit I still have from living in a much colder climate,on cold days I put a 1500 watt electric heater underneat my engine and let blow hot air on it for 30 to 60 minutes before my ride.The bike always start first time and the oil has already a nice themp.Have a safe 2012 and perhaps see you some of you at Barber in october.

[Mike Cecchini]

There are actually 2 stations right near me that sell 89 octane real gas. They started offering it last summer. It's about the price of premimum ethanol blend. I've been running it when I can and stored all the bikes with it. The Gold Wing and the '80 CBX sure like it better than ethanol. 3-4 mpg better on the Gold Wing and the '80 runs super on it. Don't know how long they'll continue to keep selling it, hope until the subsidies go away and we can all buy real gas again.

Dave

That's good to hear.......and you are right..... ethanol drops mpg. The damn stuff is s loose loose situation. We subsadize with taxes to have it made, we pay more for it and we get less mpg. The bastards.

[Larry Zimmer]

FYI for those who may not be aware: Stabil now markets a preservative targeted at ethanol. It's twice the price of regular Stabil; but, cheap in the long run.

[Will]

Depending on where you live, if there is a marina or small airport nearby check there for alcohol free gas.

[bobber01]

Another item I've been paying attention to last couple of years is the brake system. When putting the bikes away I pull back the rubber boots on the calipers and master cylinders to clean/dry them out. Surprising just how much water accumulates inside the boots . Compressed air does wonders removing water sitting in the oddest places!
As for the fuel system I treat the gas, fill the tank and leave gas in the carbs. Used to drain the carbs but after getting fuel injection on my other bikes figure if have to leave fuel in them, which are a lot more finicky, then its good enough for carbs.

[Mike Cecchini]

I've had DOT 5 silicone brake fluid in German, Italian, British and Japanese bikes sitting about for yrs. Zero issues.
I use in everything I have......works wonderfully, especailly for our X's that sit too much and parts are becoming harder and harder to find. No more corrossion issues at all. Fush and refill ......or rebuild and install. Never go back to DOT 3 or 4.

Naysayers will chime in, but it works perfectly. E me off list if you wish for full story.

mrc.engr@verizon.net