winter storage...

[XJfan1]

Ok I'm going to run through my check list of winterizing my bikes. I'm wondering if anybody does it the same way I do it. I dont do a standard winterizing because I like to dress warm and go for a quick blast on sunny days now and then. I start by mixing up some gas with fuel stabilizer and some two stroke oil and fill them up to the top. I park my bike on a large peice of carpet. I give it a good cleaning and change the engine oil, plug in my battery tender and cover the bikes up with a old bed sheet just to keep the dust off. If I know i wont be riding for a few months i use the center stand and a jack stand to get the tires off the floor. I allways drain the float bowls before firing them up just to flush out anything that might be in there. I'm sure some of you guys dont agree with my method. I like to be able to have it one the road with short notice. I like using 2 stroke oil as a alternative to fogging the motor. After a day of riding during one of these sunny days all it takes is a quick wipe down, top off the fuel from my premixed can and she is back to mothballs. My bike are stored inside my garage but it's not heated. I just thought id share and see if anybody does anything simiular.

[haywardguy929]

Sounds like your doing all the right things, I have one thought. If your running a gas treatment/stabiliizer in your gas can't you just use your gas shut off and let the motor run till the gas runs out vs draining the float bowls? Thats what I was planning on doing. As far as the full tank goes I think thats the best way to go also. I also usually take my batteries out for indoor storage but I don't think it matters a whole lot as long as they get a charge at some point.

[ViperRon]

Fuel stabilizer great Idea but they now have methanol stabilizers which are a better Idea. Some stabilizers like Stabil have been including it in the mix. Be aware that too much of any oil can create glaze on plugs and create intermittant firing in some brands of plugs. Two stroke oil is a good lube better than some things like Transfluid but just be aware of the plug issue so you do not go looking elsewhere when you start to have idle issues no use fixing what aint broke.

[MPittma100]

Winterize

The newest and best fuel stabilizer for fuel with ethanol is K100 Fuel Treatment. All of your 4-wheeler/motorcycle dealers carry this or you can order online. You may know that the ethanol and fuel separate and moisture occurs. This takes less time than you might think. The K100 solves this issue as well as preventing freezing, boosting octane rating, etc. K100 Is better than Stabil.

As far as cylinder lubrication is concerned, Marvel Mystery Oil or ATF mixed with fuel (or pooring/spraying into intake while running) works. Both will burn when ignited and leave the cylinder clean. This mixture will remove carbon from the pistons, valves, and combustion chambers. An oil/gas mixture will not. Engine oil and 2 cycle oil mixed with fuel deteriorates much too quickly and leaves as mentioned too many unwanted deposits. Another additive is Seafoam. It claims to do everything mentioned. I do know that the K100 works best from all that I have tried. K100 has a treatment for diesel fuel as well.

MP

[WMarshy]

...I allways drain the float bowls before firing them up just to flush out anything that might be in there. ...

As I tell everyone who asks, I always suggest draining your bowls before you put into storage. The reason is gas will evaporate and leave a varnish. The varnish is enough to block/restrict the small passages in the carb. The varnish can usually dissolve with some Seafoam or after a few tanks of gas but if you drain them then you know for sure you wont be messing with them come time to take it out...

For the folks in my area we trade 2 wheels for 2 skis and a track... put the bike away and don't think about it until spring.

[TheFrugalTech]

I ride all year if the road conditions permit. Keep the tanks topped off with Seafoam added, and start each of them at least once a week to let them warm up to normal running temp.
I do try to make sure the last tank of gas each gets is the best available in my area which right now is Shell V-Power 93 Octane.

[slow mo]

I ride all year if the road conditions permit. Keep the tanks topped off with Seafoam added, and start each of them at least once a week to let them warm up to normal running temp.
I do try to make sure the last tank of gas each gets is the best available in my area which right now is Shell V-Power 93 Octane.

------------------- just watched a documentary on gas and gas company,s !! outcome was super or premium gas is no better than regular pump gas ,, they said all kinds of things to make you buy super but thy were disproved ,,just my 2 cents and as always ,,ride safe ,,,slow mo!