Bikes all fueled up and stabilized

Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2020 4:16 pm

My bikes are all fueled up and stabilized. Ready for their long winter nap and hopefully some needed maintenance. Just need to finish cleaning up the garage before I pull them in. Smile

. Once I get them parked, should I run the carbs dry or will the stabil keep them ok for the winter?

Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2020 4:44 pm

Always have dry carbs when in storage. Also, leave the screws open so if the petcock leaks, you won't need to clean the carbs.

Signed,
NOLTT (no one listens to turtle)

Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2020 5:11 pm

Thanx. I realized as soon as I posted I could/should have searched old responses. Sorry for beating the dead horse. I haven't been around here in a while. In the past I have just closed the petcock and pulled the fuel line off to prevent hydraulic lock. I haven't had a running F in a few years.

Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2020 5:44 pm

I do not run my carbs dry. A couple times during the winter I turn the gas on to fill the float bowls just in case any fuel evaporated which is doubtful. Running them dry for months in the past has caused failure of the float needles. If you want to risk it be my guest

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2020 5:45 pm

Here is what I've done for the last 10 years, fill the tank to the top with Shell 91 and a half a bottle of seafoam. I'll also have some seafoam in the gas for my "last ride"
When the bike is put away, where I don't touch it for 5 months, I've left the gas in the carbs. It will over time evaporate, so I am going to drain the float bowls this winter.
My 11F still has the automatic vacuum operated fuel valve, so quite a bit of cranking is in order come spring to get the bitch started.
In the 13 seasons (65K kms) I've had the bike, I haven't touched the carbs. The bike still runs up to redline without a hiccup.

And another thing, do not store the bike with used oil. I know this should be common sense, but I've heard of guys that do just that!

It will be a sad day this Saturday when the bike is put away... Crying or Very sad

Chris

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2020 5:49 pm

Hondo57 wrote:

I do not run my carbs dry. A couple times during the winter I turn the gas on to fill the float bowls just in case any fuel evaporated which is doubtful. Running them dry for months in the past has caused failure of the float needles. If you want to risk it be my guest

+1

This has been my experience as well.....leaky needles

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2020 7:13 pm

Mike Nixon has a brief video where he takes a set of "drained" carbs and proceeds to shake a considerable amount of gas out of them. The point he makes is that running them dry doesn't clear all the passages of fuel. The bike stops running long before the last of the gas passes. Cool

For winter prep, I fill my tank up to the top with fuel stabilizer added and then I ride for approx. 5 miles to get the stabilized fuel all the way through the carbs. Knock on wood, I've never had an issue with gunked up carbs or starting issues. But as Chris mentioned, it takes some serious cranking to get the bitches started in the spring. But we all know that story...

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2020 3:01 am

Quote:

... I don't touch it for 5 months, I've left the gas in the carbs. It will over time evaporate...

So Nixon runs dry, DCN's needles go dry [at the highest point], meaning, the first to dry at the tip... Sounds like dry works for Nixon, and the past 1o years for DCN on the evap'd rubber tips.

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2020 5:40 am

Too early for me! I have heated underwear, socks, t-shirt and gloves. Not to mention heated grips with a touring windshield on my CTX. I ride till end of January or when snow arrives... whichever comes first!

When BT begins her hibernation, tank is completely filled and Marine Stabil (whole bottle) is added. Oil is changed prior hibernation with a short ride. Don't have to drain carbs with fuel injection

. Metal and plastic has heavy wax to prevent oxidation and/or rusting. Bike is lifted off the ground so flat spots don't form on tires. Any "projects" are done prior to hibernation or after in March.

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2020 12:50 pm

cntrhub wrote:

So Nixon runs dry,

No, I didn't say that. Reread what I wrote regarding what I said about his demonstration of supposedly "dry" carbs.

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2020 2:36 pm

Tom, noted.

https://www.saveonenergy.com/material-decomposition/#:~:text=Years%20and%20Years%20of%20Trash,than%20that%2C%20averaging%2065%20years.

"The soles of a rubber boot take 15 more years than that, averaging 65 years."

So exposing rubber for a few months, are we on the same page?

Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2020 2:59 pm

All you cold state guys move to California, oh wait, everyone is leaving here, never mind!! hahahaha