storing my bike

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boomer · #1 Unread post by **boomer** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 4:25 pm

wow 2 questions in one day, one was already answered lets try this one, this will be my first time storing my bike indoors, I'm going to stabalize the fuel and ride the bike till its low on fuel , then park it indoor, so really my question I dont need a full tank of gas to store indoors, and when I mean indoors I mean my living room,

oldnslo · #2 Unread post by **oldnslo** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 5:04 pm

You must be unmarried.

Ninja Geoff · Sun Oct 16, 2005 5:19 pm

Nope, don't need a full tank of gas. Though the fuel stabalizer is def a good idea. Along with cardboard undeneath the bike. Just in case it leaks something or you knock it and the kick stand decides to be un-nice to your floor.

oldnslo wrote:You must be unmarried.

Or very lucky.

flynrider · #4 Unread post by **flynrider** » Sun Oct 16, 2005 7:14 pm

I wasn't quite able to pick out the question in your post (a question mark would help), but I'll give it a shot.

If you're going to store indoors, the less gas in the tank the better. Also, before taking it inside, turn the fuel tap off and let the engine run until it won't run anymore. This will empty the carb float bowls and make it much more likely that your carbs will not have crud in them next spring. Fuel stablizer is good, but empty carbs are best. Also, fuel left in carbs will evaporate. Not a good thing if its in your living room.

Mon Oct 17, 2005 2:19 am

"Store" it? Oh, how cruel !

boomer · #6 Unread post by **boomer** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 4:30 am

Thanks to all, I like to first say I am married I just have a great wife, for letting me store it indoors, and now I know I dont need a full gas tank, but I'm concerned that someone said draining floats, there is absolutely no reason to drain the float bowls if you add stabilizer, if you drain them its the worst thing you can do, thats why you add stabilizer, draining them can cause alot of problems, if I knew how to send pictures of drained bowls I would to show you affects of draining them

Pongo · #7 Unread post by **Pongo** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:14 am

boomer wrote:but I'm concerned that someone said draining floats, there is absolutely no reason to drain the float bowls if you add stabilizer, if you drain them its the worst thing you can do, thats why you add stabilizer, draining them can cause alot of problems, if I knew how to send pictures of drained bowls I would to show you affects of draining them

flynrider wrote:Also, before taking it inside, turn the fuel tap off and let the engine run until it won't run anymore. This will empty the carb float bowls and make it much more likely that your carbs will not have crud in them next spring. Fuel stablizer is good, but empty carbs are best. Also, fuel left in carbs will evaporate. Not a good thing if its in your living room.

I agree with flynrider. Drain your carbs even if you have added fuel stabilizer.

boomer · #8 Unread post by **boomer** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:42 am

Pongo
I have always kepy my bike outside and this yearI bought a new bike and will keep it inside, and I have never drained the floats and never a problem at all, why would you, now are you guys telling me to drain because I'm storing it in my house for the smell or vapours please explain, if its not those reasons no need to drain you will have more problems if you drain , just stabilize and your good guarenteed I have many resources explaining ,and me doing it for over 10 yrs, I was just concered about fuel tank full in my house

Pongo · #9 Unread post by **Pongo** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 8:24 am

boomer wrote:Pongo
I have always kepy my bike outside and this yearI bought a new bike and will keep it inside, and I have never drained the floats and never a problem at all, why would you, now are you guys telling me to drain because I'm storing it in my house for the smell or vapours please explain, if its not those reasons no need to drain you will have more problems if you drain , just stabilize and your good guarenteed I have many resources explaining ,and me doing it for over 10 yrs, I was just concered about fuel tank full in my house

Yeah! Sure you can get away without draining the carbs and I've sometimes been lazy and had no problem after say four or five months. But draining carbs is recommended by many manufacturers as you can get a varnish and crud build up over time and then you are into a clean and rebuild of the carbs which I've also had to do on occasion.

If you have any sources stating it is best to leave fuel in the carbs please give me the links. I would be very interested to see the reasons.

I think you are right to be concerned about having a fuel tank in your house.

#10 Unread post by **Skier** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 9:33 am

Varnish in carb float bowls can be avoided by using a fuel stabilizer. This way the gas won't gum up in the winter, assuming you don't put your bike away for, say, six months.

If I knew I wasn't going to be riding it for more than six months, I'd drain the carb float bowls, but otherwise, I'd go crazy with some Marvel Mystery Oil as a fuel stabilizer, run it through the entire fuel system (by "having" to take a nice long ride) and then just park it.

If the temp of the place your bike is being stored at will drop below freezing, you should really drain the float bowls. This way you have less of a chance of water finding its way in the float bowls, freezing and crushing your expensive floats.