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[brian h]

WHEN LAYING A BIKE UP FOR WINTER IS IT BEST TO EMPTY THE CARB AND FUEL TANK

[Alan R]

Hello BRIAN H, ------------Before lay-up why not change the oil and filter ??...That way it's nice, clean oil and no combustion acids etc left in the system for the next 6 months.... Fuel tank and carb ?? Personally I drain both... The fuel gets used in my winter "Hack" whilst the carb gets filled up with (or laid into a container of )----- Paraffin....... The bike itself is indoors ie garage, and under a light dust cover, but not heated ----- avoids condensation that way. The vehicle weight should be off the tyres which can also be deflated if you like....Battery disconnected, levels topped up and on a low trickle charge. Maybe a light spray of silicone over the brightwork as well ?? and some down the cyl. bore.

[Stringers Best Mate]

Brian, the only time I had to lay one up for months I bought a bottle of fuel stabiliser and mixed it with the petrol in the tank, rode the bike out to fill it up & brimmed it. This should stop any moisture condensing inside an empty metal fuel tank and causing rust. I just changed the oil & filter, pumped the tyres up to 50psi and made sure they were off the ground by putting a piece of wood under the mainstand. I took the battery off, put it in a cardboard box and on the shelf, and connected one of those constant current chargers. The bike I just sprayed with WD40 & covered with an old bedsheet. Only took a few hours when I dug it out & running again! These days, I just ride the bike every few weeks when there's a sunny day during the winter months, darned sight easier!! Any use? Steve

[Dennis C]

Fill the tank, start the engine turn petrol off and run until it stops. ----- No gum in empty carb and no rust in full tank and no the petrol wont go off before spring arrives.

[jaffa90]

On mine i`ll be draining the carb & tank and then just quirting WD40 in the carb inlet (to keep the needle valve happy) & tank.A thin layer of oil on the chrome and frame and just WD40 the rest.Oh on centre stand with 40psi in the tyres as mentioned.THERE`S ALWAYS A CHANCE OFF WATER IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK.

[Dennis C]

Before you Guys start inflating your tyres to 40 - 50 psi check on the sidewall for the maximum pressure of the tyre, I think you will find it is well below this, over inflation will damage the tyre and possibly cause it to fail next year, perhaps throwing you off the bike.

[jaffa90]

Good shout Dennis,ok my max will be 35psi,i put 50psi in modern/tyres/bikes.Also i`ll be putting fuel stabiliser in my other bike because unleaded high ethanol fuel starts going off after a few months also it`s fuel injected.

[PeteF]

If the bike is on the centre stand there will be little weight on the tyres. I can't think of a reason to alter the pressures. I drain the carb but never bother with the petrol and never have a problem with the fuel in the spring. An oil change is a good idea if it's anything near due.

[Chris Tindal]

I don't personally see the need for winter storage. There's alway the odd day when the bike can come out in the cold winter sun. Better to keep them running.

[Anders F. R.]

Always drain and clean the carburettor and float bowl. .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- If your storage is warm and dry, then preferably empty the tank as well. If the storage is "cold" (i.e. not heated and temperature changes with the weather) end/or possibly not dry, then keep the tank full. That prevents condensation on the inside and water and possible corrosion in the bottom of the tank. .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- And then oil change, WD40, battery and tyres etc. as mentioned by many others already. But for heavens sake DON'T let silicone spray get anywhere near your bike! Get that on the paintwork, and paint repairs or complete repainting will be very much more work! Removing silicone is very difficult, and paint will not stick to it. .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

I have never used any "fuel stabiliser", and have never experienced any problems with petrol "going off" in six months. And I have stored several bikes each winter since 2000. .-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-


Regards, Anders F. R.