Leaky carbs; storage? Come in and share your thoughts!

[jola]

So this past week I noticed my garage smelled like gasoline. I checked my motorcycle and noticed that there was gasoline on the bottom of the carburetors, accumulating into a drip. I took the tank off and drained the gas (full tank, so much riding that could have been done ). Nothing was dripping out of the fuel petcock though and I thought that was odd.

I looked at the motorcycle today and didn't notice any gasoline on the carbs. However, I am moving to North Dakota for a year and not bringing the GS with me anyways. I am thinking that since I already drained the gas tank, I'll leave the carb rebuild for next winter when I am back in Jersey and just let the GS sit as-is.

So here is my question I suppose: Should I run the motorcycle with the tank off to get rid of the gas that is currently in the carburetors so that the bike is completely dry for a year's worth of sitting?

I'm also going to take the battery out so its easier for someone to throw the tender on it every now and then.

[Guest]

Perhaps what was dripping under the carbs was just some condensate water - my bike's lower parts get wet when the temp in the shed gets warm, & the bike is cold.

If it were me, I would make sure all the gas is out of the carbs. Nothing but bad things happen to the carb guts when left for extended periods full of gas.

If your tank hasn't been coated on the inside, you may want to keep it full of gas to prevent it from rusting on the inside.

Ya know, they ride bikes in north dakota too...

[jola]

Perhaps what was dripping under the carbs was just some condensate water - my bike's lower parts get wet when the temp in the shed gets warm, & the bike is cold.

If it were me, I would make sure all the gas is out of the carbs. Nothing but bad things happen to the carb guts when left for extended periods full of gas.

If your tank hasn't been coated on the inside, you may want to keep it full of gas to prevent it from rusting on the inside.

Ya know, they ride bikes in north dakota too...

How would this work? Run the GS with the tank off till the gas is out of the carbs and then fill the tank? I don't have an off switch on the petcock. The tank has not been coated. Would running Stabil through the tank and carbs and hoping it is just condensation be a better option?

I'd love to bring it out to ND but it poses all sorts of logistical issues.

[jola]

Could I just store the tank in the house? Make sure it is dry and pack it away? That would also protect it from dents it may receive from sitting in an active tool area.

[willie]

FWIW, I used to be an advocate of draining the carb bowls prior to any extended storage. My opinion has been altered though by my seasoned marine mechanic that claims dry carbs invite deterioration of rubber o-rings, etc. Instead, he recommends, and I agree, that the best route is to put a proper amount of stabilizer in the tank, swish it around good and run the engine for awhile to ensure that the stabilized mix is throughout the carbs. I also believe a full tank is far better than a less than full one to prevent condensate.
Just my .02 worth and a description of what I'll be doing with mine.
Willie in TN

[alke46]

FWIW, I used to be an advocate of draining the carb bowls prior to any extended storage. My opinion has been altered though by my seasoned marine mechanic that claims dry carbs invite deterioration of rubber o-rings, etc. Instead, he recommends, and I agree, that the best route is to put a proper amount of stabilizer in the tank, swish it around good and run the engine for awhile to ensure that the stabilized mix is throughout the carbs. I also believe a full tank is far better than a less than full one to prevent condensate.
Just my .02 worth and a description of what I'll be doing with mine.
Willie in TN

100% agreement with this.
I had my carbs apart for 3 weeks and when I put it all back together, #2 and #3 were leaking out the top of the bowls. After sitting overnight, I started it up and no more leaking. I think the gasket had dried out and when I put it back on, the gas must have made it wet and expanded so that it no longer leaked.

Good luck in North Dakota.......man it gets cold up there. I was there on Feb. 1 this year and it was 15 below zero when I left town and within 5 miles outside of town, the temp dropped to -20. Schitt, that's cold.

[jola]

The drying out of the rings and gaskets is an interesting point. I absolutely don't want rust in the tank.

[robertbarr]

If your carbs are getting wet with fuel, you have a petcock problem (unless it was switched to Prime). It might be just a tiny leak, but soon enough it'll empty your tank, in which case you'll have dry carbs anyway.

Normally I'd go with keeping the fuel in the carbs, but with a petcock leak, I'd open the drain screws and drain all the fuel from the carbs. From there, you could install a 6" length of fuel line to your petcock, fold over the fuel line and wire it shut (essentially capping the fuel tap). Fill the tank to the brim with stabilized fuel, to prevent any condensation & rust.

When you have time, explore the petcock problem; it's probably time for a new one anyway.

No matter what, you don't want to store that tank indoors.

[catbed]

jola, did you get my PM?

[tucker]

What is the problem with storing the tank indoors? A fuel in the living area situation? I have five tanks (completely clean) in my basement right now. Just wondering.

[jola]

jola, did you get my PM?

Yep, let me PM you back.

EDIT: Sent.

[skidMarkNZ]

errrrrr perhaps take the carbs off and fix the problem?

[jola]

errrrrr perhaps take the carbs off and fix the problem?

I would love to but I can't at this particular junction in time. I will in one year.

[SqDancerLynn1]

No place to work on it ? Just treat the fuel to some stabil & keep it full. Come next year drain it & use for the lawnmower

[trippivot]

So this past week I noticed my garage smelled like gasoline. I checked my motorcycle and noticed that there was gasoline on the bottom of the carburetors, accumulating into a drip. I took the tank off and drained the gas (full tank, so much riding that could have been done ). Nothing was dripping out of the fuel petcock though and I thought that was odd.

I looked at the motorcycle today and didn't notice any gasoline on the carbs. However, I am moving to North Dakota for a year and not bringing the GS with me anyways. I am thinking that since I already drained the gas tank, I'll leave the carb rebuild for next winter when I am back in Jersey and just let the GS sit as-is.

So here is my question I suppose: Should I run the motorcycle with the tank off to get rid of the gas that is currently in the carburetors so that the bike is completely dry for a year's worth of sitting?

I'm also going to take the battery out so its easier for someone to throw the tender on it every now and then.

drain the float bowls-yes fill the tank up to the top with fluid to prevent rust!! dosent have to be gasoline . used oil inside it will store the tank for centuries.