weather changing

[Radioguylogs]

IMHO, for what it's worth, in your situation, I would leave the carbs on and follow LAB3's advice. Just fill the tank and add a good fuel stabilizer run the bike so the mix gets to the carbs. you really don't want the carbs to dry out. Leaving air space inside the float bowls invites moisture.

I used to drain the carbs until I found the air space enables condensation. I had two bikes 10 years age. I rebuilt both sets of carbs . I drained them in the winter and they both had to be rebiilt in just 2 years.

Now I have 6 bikes and I don't drain the bowls. I don't have any problems and I have been doing this for 8 years. Plus the rubber parts don't dry out.

[cajun31]

Disclaimer: Everyone should do what they are comfortable with concerning the storage of their machine. Reading all the comments it seems there are varying different opinions and options and they probably all work well depending on your location. I was doing some research/reading after some of the comments and found the following:

Carbureted motorcycles need special consideration, even if the fuel is properly treated. Carburetors vent directly to the atmosphere, which means that the fuel left in them will evaporate, leaving behind a thin film that will restrict the flow of fuel through the small jets and other fuel passages. The best preparation for carbureted systems is to run fuel treatment into the system, switch the petcock to the “off” position (if it’s not a vacuum unit), and then drain the carburetors. For vacuum petcock systems, you only need to drain the carburetors.

The only thing I disagree with is I always turn my petcocks off.

[jetmechmarty]

Fortunately, I don't have to put mine up for extended periods of time. I ride most of the winter. My XS11 sat all summer because I failed to keep it in the rotation. I've corrected that.

[oldyam80sg]

I rode my SG in 2023 more than previous years, but it sat for a few weeks as we had rain every weekend and I also had a issue with my knees. I could feel the carbs had to be cleaned, but rode it to my storage unit in December and yanked the carbs to clean them. I also took out the battery to put on a maintainer. Over last winetr, carbs were thoroughly cleaned, float levels set and did a bread tie sync. Come riding season, carbs were put on, baterry installed and did a vacuum sync. Everything was great for last riding season. That is why I clean the carbs by taking them off every year.

[oldyam80sg]

I took the bike out for a brief 10 minute ride, then removed the carbs and battery as I have been having issues with diziness and that must be looked at before I can ride again.

[DEEBS11]

I was out on the road yesterday too. It felt great. Hang in there OY8.

[oldyam80sg]

I ran the bike and shut the petcocks off until the bike ran out of fuel. I removed the carbs, and today removed the drain screws at the bottom. I just ordered new washers from partszilla and will be putting the carbs back on when the parts come in. The groundhog has said we will be having an early spring so will get the bike ready. My dizziness is somewhat under control.

[oldyam80sg]

I need to find another source of those washers other than partszilla as they are taking forever to get here. I got my carb cleaner tonight as I can work on them Sunday.

[DEEBS11]

I use copper washers.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/33052617612...Bk9SR9y-vaayYw

[DEEBS11]

I buy these kits which are used for all sorts of drain plugs on every brand of bike & car.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/314658238331

[oldyam80sg]

partszilla says my washers should be here Monday-they were in NJ 2 days ago, but went to Maryland? I will purchase the 2nd kit this weekend. Many Thanks!! I will spray carb cleaner on the butterfly sides and reinstall next weekend. The carbs are very clean- they dont have the black film like they did 2 years ago.

[oldyam80sg]

DEEBS11 -what kit is more useful in your opinion? I just got the washers from partszilla so dont want to get a size I wont need. The 1st kit is per 6 and I dont know the size. 2nd kit has lots of different sizes. I prefer to use a brand name for the brakes like Russell as I have lots of them available.

[DEEBS11]

OY8, I guess what motivates me is the kit that can be used to repair a number of other machines. I have two of the 8mm I.D. seals from the kit on my XS11. Over 7K miles with no leaks. They work fine. If you divide $15.10 by 400 you get 0.03775 per seal. I used 7 and 1/2 cents to seal my carbs with 398 potential repairs left in the kit. I may not live long enough to see that kit get used up. I think that's pretty cool.

[LAB3]

I've got at least 20 10mm banjo bolt washers that have every bit of 30,000 miles on them riding in my small parts stash box. Made a bulk buy three bikes ago and like Deebs mentioned, they're dirt cheap in bulk and a bigger chunk of change individually. For the amount of money saved and the amount of room they take up in the trailer it just makes sense, then of course there's showing up to meet some old pals and nobody has papers or a pipe....

[oldyam80sg]

I got the washers above today from E-Bay. It snowed late last night so I will continue to clean the carbs as it is still too cold to ride.