Storing the bike

[Maddevill]

Quick question. Is it better to run the bike dry for winter storage or just put stabilizer in the system and run it so it gets into everything ?
Last year I let it sit with a full tank with stabilizer and had no problems. I don't want the O rings and gaskets to dry out.

Mad

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

6 of one, half dozen of the other. Your idea about the gaskets is not a bad one. Last couple of years I've taken to filling the system with Pure Non-Ethanol gas come winter time and forgo the Stabil or Startron. But I try to ride a least a few time throughout the winter on the odd nice day.

 

[Big T]

What Rich says. Stabilizers have minimal effect.
above all, do not start and warm up the bike without riding it

 

[rphillips]

The way I understand it, metal won't rust without oxygen, the fuller the tank the less metal exposed to the oxygen. Agree with the non alcohol gas when sitting for any extended period. I've never heard of any neg. effect with $2.00 worth of Stabil or Seafoam, just knowing I did all I could to help not have a problem is worth my $2.

 

[chuck hahn]

IF tank has a liner it doesnt matter. Drain the tank and use gas in the truck. Otherwise dump in about 3 or 4 ounces of stabil or whatever your favorite flavor is and fill it up.
Drain carb bowls via the drains and leave them cracked open. Lay a rag under them and remove the fuel ine at the petcock. Blow air in there for a good minute or so. THIS is the trick... it blows fuel out of the tiny holes in the jets and dries them out. Plus it flushes the last few drops from the bottom of the bowls. Now close the drains.

I leave the fuel line off and use a vacuum plug cap on the petcock nipple. This prevents ANY possibility of gas leaking into the oil should a petcock failure occur. Just put some tape over the fuel line to keep bugs out. In the spring hook up the fuel line and ride away like it was ridden the day before.

 

[93Bandit]

Like Rich said, I just fill the bike to the brim with fuel and park it. I also ride on the occasional warm day in the winter, but usually ride in any weather as long as the temp is over 30F and there's no snow/ice on the roads. Bundle up and it's still good riding in the winter. I live in MI so no, I'm not talking about a souther California winter... It gets chilly here.

I also run a can of seafoam through the bike every spring. I figure it may help clean any deposits that may have built up over the winter.

 

[Nessism]

Stabil works. I use it year round.

 

[Maddevill]

Thanks for the information.

Mad

 

[Rob S.]

above all, do not start and warm up the bike without riding it

Is that a fact? Where is the group mind on this?

I would do this, throughout the winter, when inches of snow covered the roads. What you're saying, is that it's better to leave it cold, even weeks or months more, if it cannot be ridden.

 

[Nessism]

Is that a fact? Where is the group mind on this?

I would do this, throughout the winter, when inches of snow covered the roads. What you're saying, is that it's better to leave it cold, even weeks or months more, if it cannot be ridden.

The problem is condensation, since there is no way to drive it out unless the bike reaches full operating temperature for some period of time. That said, over on the KZ site, there is a guy that has a beautiful stock 650, purchased new in 1977, and he starts up his bike and runs it in the driveway every so often through the winter. Personally, I wouldn't do it. But for those that do, it's not tragic.

 

[rphillips]

That's what i've heard^^^^, condensation inside the exhaust system causing rust from inside out. Haven't heard any mechanical issues.