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WhiteCloud
Hawk


Joined: Aug 18, 2006
Posts: 272
Location: Alsip, Ill
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Posted:
Fri Nov 09, 2007 1:11 am |
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OK, I put Stabil into the gas, now do I leave gas in the carbs or do I run the bike until the carbs are run dry? What do you guys recommend? |
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Pointdiver
CB1100F


Joined: Aug 14, 2005
Posts: 3201
Location: Cape Cod, MA
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Posted:
Fri Nov 09, 2007 1:43 am |
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I find it easier and more effective to drain the bowls, there are valve screws at the bottom of each. You might be just as well off leaving the treated gas in there but I've always drain them for the 5 months they sit. |
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WhiteCloud
Hawk


Joined: Aug 18, 2006
Posts: 272
Location: Alsip, Ill
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Posted:
Fri Nov 09, 2007 1:56 am |
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Dang! I forgot about the drains, that would be easier. |
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solidrocktech
Silver CB750F


Joined: Jan 18, 2005
Posts: 539
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Posted:
Fri Nov 09, 2007 2:45 am |
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Top up the tank, pour in the required amount of stabilizer, let the bike idle for a few minutes, turn the petcock off, drain the carbs and you're good to go.
Don't forget to remove the battery and keep it indoors on a tender over the winter.
Always good to change the oil and filter, change the spark plugs and put a bit of oil into each cylinder. |
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Blainethemono
CB1100F


Joined: Mar 03, 2004
Posts: 3278
Location: Seattle
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Posted:
Fri Nov 09, 2007 12:26 pm |
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Ya know.... for all the years Ive owned bikes, I have never winterized my carbs..
1st ride of the year, I throw some Sea Foam in da tank & forgeddabouit....  |
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CowTownBiomed
Red CB1100F


Joined: Apr 02, 2004
Posts: 7542
Location: Calgary Alberta Canada
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Posted:
Fri Nov 09, 2007 4:53 pm |
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I used to drain the carbs too, but it now depends on the longevity of the storage period.
My 1100 has been sitting for a while now, but that was planned, and the carbs are drained.
On the 900 I just put in some stabil, and take it for its last ride, then just put it away for the winter, not having drain tubes on the carbs are the biggest reason for that (they werent there when I bought it)
Then I pull the plug from the top of the solonoid (becasue I'm too lazy to remove the battery) and put the battery minder on till the big crank is charged, then I remove the charger. (the AGM's store good in the cold)
In the spring I plug in the solonoid, pull the choke and fire it up... |
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wharfie
Hawk


Joined: Aug 13, 2003
Posts: 455
Location: Saratoga Springs, NY
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Posted:
Sat Nov 10, 2007 12:04 am |
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Any feedback on using Seafom as a stabilizer? I'm tempted to try killing 2 birds with one stone. Just add Seafoam , drain the carbs, and run it through come spring. |
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warpspeed
Black CB900F


Joined: Feb 21, 2004
Posts: 1618
Location: New England
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Posted:
Sat Nov 10, 2007 1:21 am |
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I never used to drain my carbs, but the fuel these days is much more volatile - up to 10% ethanol here in Mass. It does not "hold" as well as fuel from 10 years ago. Sta-bil, drain the carbs. I have not used Sea-Foam as a stabilizer. Stuff is great, tho, probably would work. Biggest key is to fill that fuel tank RIGHT UP TO THE TIPPY-TOP. Use the center stand or wheel stand if at all possible. The less air in the tank, the better. I fill up at the pump then top in the garage from the can. |
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Blainethemono
CB1100F


Joined: Mar 03, 2004
Posts: 3278
Location: Seattle
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Posted:
Sat Nov 10, 2007 2:15 am |
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Regarding Sea Foam as a stabilizer. I do believe it says right on the can that a half can in 10 gallons will stabilize fuel for up to 6 months.
From thier web site.
When Added to Fuel Tank
Cleans fuel injectors and carburetor jets
Cleans carbon as you drive
Lubricates upper cylinders
De-ices and removes moisture
Diesel full conditioner and anti gel
Stabilizes fuel
One pint treats 8-25 gallons of fuel (average 1 ounce per gallon).
Another school of thought
http://www.wayneswords.com/cgi-bin/wayne.pl?noframes;read=62926
Ive got 1 can in my Dusters gas tank. Been sitting for 6 years...... We shall see.... |
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Nitro
Silver CB900F


Joined: Jul 07, 2003
Posts: 1213
Location: Kamloops BC!
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Posted:
Sat Nov 10, 2007 10:02 am |
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I would say just like the rest..drain em..Its no big deal that the fuel goes sour, a bit of #1 in the spring fixs that easy enough,stabilizer of course works best. and the only real reason to fill it is so the tank doesnt rust...... but its more the fact the gas usually evaporates in the bowls and can leave gick in the bowls just waiting to plug u up, and will eventually......I dont have the drain hoses on a couple of mine either, better for cleaning the cases..
I have run the bikes till dry a few times as had wasps nest in the shed, worked great..killed em all!!
On the bikes I put away for long term, I mean years, I drain the tanks, dump in some 5w and swill it around., shake em up every few months or so...been doing it for 20 yrs and never had a tank rust yet..I burn all my gas riding them, none left for storage as broke by fall..
then again, i have bought a lot of bikes that have laid on their sides for 10 yrs and I have found that sitting 1 yr or 10, if you clean the carbs the spring it wont matter anyway..just park it..
see ya next spring!!! |
Last edited by Nitro on Mon Nov 12, 2007 3:16 am; edited 1 time in total |
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bobr
Twinstar


Joined: Jun 26, 2003
Posts: 178
Location: manchester, nh
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Posted:
Sat Nov 10, 2007 1:58 pm |
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Even if you stabilize the fuel....DRAIN THE BOWLS. As mentioned before Ethanol is wreaking havoc on needles and seats. I've got a bag of stuck needles on the counter to show customers. Ethanol had ruined them in as little as 2 weeks of a bike sitting. I've even seen it in 2-strokes with premixed fuel!
By the way, I haven't been in here for a while, shame on me, I like the new format.  |
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Junwa
Twinstar


Joined: Aug 10, 2006
Posts: 262
Location: Bucks County PA
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Posted:
Sat Nov 10, 2007 5:21 pm |
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Personally I find it easier to just top off tank ad sea foam or Sta-bill....
get tires off of the cement (swingarm stand, blankets or wood blocks)
Bring battery in put it on tender...
I start the bike regularly during the winter so it's not as much an issue
for me.
Just keep tank topped off and battery charged...
Then again this is my first winter with a F in my care...so I'll keep some of the
pointers in mind.
Thanks
J |
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BlueThunder
Red CB1100F


Joined: Jun 12, 2006
Posts: 9247
Location: Sarasota, Florida
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Posted:
Sat Nov 10, 2007 5:54 pm |
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When it's time to take the bike off the road, I:
- Drain the carbs
- Drain the tank
- Put a quart of 5W oil and swish around to coat the inside
- Use DriSlide and lube all cables.
- Raise both wheels off the floor
- Remove battery
- Put a coat of wax on bodyparts
I've found that coating the inside of the tank with oil keeps rust from forming. Every so often I will re-swish as I check on the bike (actually imaging riding). Been doing this for 20 years without any problems or rust forming.
I know others fill the tank and put stabil in the tank, but I still have found "gunk" separate and mess up the petcock. |
_________________ ... Brian
2014 CTX1300A - Black Thunder aka Predator
1980 CB750F - Blue Thunder
1977 GL1000 - Ox |
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Blainethemono
CB1100F


Joined: Mar 03, 2004
Posts: 3278
Location: Seattle
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Posted:
Sat Nov 10, 2007 6:56 pm |
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Just FYI, AGM batteries, aka Big Crank, only loose 1-3% of their charge per month, and are NOT effected by cold as standard batteries are... A battery tender really isnt needed...
Ive had bikes sit for 6 months or more, fire right up with an AGM battery still connected...
http://www.emecole.com/agm_batteries.pdf
AGM's have a very low self-discharge - from 1% to 3% per month is usual. This means that they can sit in storage for much longer periods without charging than standard batteries. An AGM battery can be almost fully recharged (95% or better) even after 30 days of being totally discharged. |
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silversurfer1050
Red CB1100F


Joined: Nov 09, 2004
Posts: 3846
Location: Wisconsin
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Posted:
Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:06 am |
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OK, What's with the put it up on wood blocks theory? What does that do or avoid happening?
I've heard of it, but nver done it. The guy I bought my Hurricane had it stored like that when I came to buy it in the spring.
Tx
Bill |
_________________ Jed Cooper - When you hang a man, you better look at him. |
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silversurfer1050
Red CB1100F


Joined: Nov 09, 2004
Posts: 3846
Location: Wisconsin
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Posted:
Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:09 am |
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maybe this could run as a qualified pole.
Only guys answer that store their bikes more than 2 months?
What do you mechanics think?
BTW - I drain the carbs.
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winnerc2s
Friend of the Board


Joined: Nov 20, 2003
Posts: 1585
Location: Doylestown, PA
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Posted:
Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:14 am |
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silversurfer1050 wrote: |
OK, What's with the put it up on wood blocks theory? What does that do or avoid happening?
I've heard of it, but nver done it. The guy I bought my Hurricane had it stored like that when I came to buy it in the spring.
Tx
Bill |
Keeps it from contact with the dampness of the concrete. Also prevents flat spots on the tires. |
_________________ Rob
'83 CB1100F - Red
'83 CB1100F - Blue
'85 CB700SC - Black/Blue
'83 ATC200X - Red/White
'02 VRod - Silver |
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BlueThunder
Red CB1100F


Joined: Jun 12, 2006
Posts: 9247
Location: Sarasota, Florida
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Posted:
Sun Nov 11, 2007 4:42 am |
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silversurfer1050 wrote: |
OK, What's with the put it up on wood blocks theory? What does that do or avoid happening?
I've heard of it, but nver done it. The guy I bought my Hurricane had it stored like that when I came to buy it in the spring.
Tx
Bill |
It keeps a flat spot from permanently developing on the tires. |
_________________ ... Brian
2014 CTX1300A - Black Thunder aka Predator
1980 CB750F - Blue Thunder
1977 GL1000 - Ox |
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swiftnick
Black CB900F


Joined: Sep 01, 2006
Posts: 1707
Location: Farmington Hills, MI
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Posted:
Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:14 pm |
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Myself, get her good and hot then drain off the oil and refill with new. Drain the tank and the carbs. Then a squirt of WD40 down each plug and crank her over with no spark. WD40 into both ends of the exhaust (took it off first) and inside the tank. Battery gets a full charge then onto the maintainer. I did all this before 13 years of storage and she came back to life no problem then (well I did need a new battery). |
_________________ 1982 CB900FC (UK Version) 1 owner
1983 CB1100RD (Fastest, red and blue)
1975 CB400 four
2012 ST1300
1982 CX500 Turbo
1991 FJ1200
1976 CB750 Super Sport
1986 VFR750F
1985 VF1000R
1984 GPZ900R |
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silversurfer1050
Red CB1100F


Joined: Nov 09, 2004
Posts: 3846
Location: Wisconsin
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Posted:
Wed Nov 14, 2007 4:30 am |
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I know building code requires electrical installations to have a grounding conductor buried in the foundation of new structures as the concrete is a conductor. No really - it is for grounding.
Maybe there is an avoidance of bimetallic action by insulating with wood. I was just wondering if you guys had a reason of your own.
Thanks,
Bill |
_________________ Jed Cooper - When you hang a man, you better look at him. |
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BlueThunder
Red CB1100F


Joined: Jun 12, 2006
Posts: 9247
Location: Sarasota, Florida
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Posted:
Thu Nov 15, 2007 4:12 pm |
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silversurfer1050 wrote: |
I know building code requires electrical installations to have a grounding conductor buried in the foundation of new structures as the concrete is a conductor. No really - it is for grounding.
Maybe there is an avoidance of bimetallic action by insulating with wood. I was just wondering if you guys had a reason of your own.
Thanks,
Bill |
Wood is soft, won't scratch and can be cut easily if need be. |
_________________ ... Brian
2014 CTX1300A - Black Thunder aka Predator
1980 CB750F - Blue Thunder
1977 GL1000 - Ox |
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Fitter
Friend of the Board


Joined: Mar 31, 2005
Posts: 1931
Location: Northumberland Forest, Canada
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Posted:
Thu Nov 15, 2007 5:18 pm |
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As my bike waits out winter stowed in my garage I often go up to it and give the brake levers a tap to help prevent he brake pistons from siezing up. Don't know if this works but it can't hurt and she likes the attention.
I have always left fuel in the bowls with fuel stabilizer over the winter (5 months) and she has always started up with no complaints in the spring. |
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