garyS-NJ Posted December 6, 2015 #1 Posted December 6, 2015 well the new old bike ('84 xvz12D) has been very good to me and as it's getting colder, I'm taking the little xj550 less and less. I never really "stored" a good bike for the winter because I rarely had more than one running. but I think it's time to lay the XJ up for the winter. I figured I'd run it and change the oil. And fill the tank and add stabilizer. remove the spark plugs and spray some engine fogging oil liberally into the cylinders after sucking some through the pod air cleaners (to get the valves?). only question was carb bowls. drain them or leave them full with the stabilized fuel??
MiCarl Posted December 6, 2015 #2 Posted December 6, 2015 I don't bother draining. Make sure you ride it a mile or 2 so the stabilized fuel gets into the carbs.
Flyinfool Posted December 6, 2015 #3 Posted December 6, 2015 :sign yeah that: I just fill it with fresh gas (ethanol free if you can get it) that has a heavy dose of SeaFoam in it. Run it till it is fully warmed up to get the treated gas into the carbs. Once every 4-6 weeks I'll charge the battery. Do not fall into the trap of running the engine unless you are going out for a real ride to get the engine and trans fully warmed up. Just idling does more harm than good.
dacheedah Posted December 7, 2015 #4 Posted December 7, 2015 I have a pilot friend that tells me that airplane gas it won't varnish and swears it contains no ethanol. He said thats what he gets for winter storage.
MiCarl Posted December 7, 2015 #5 Posted December 7, 2015 I have a pilot friend that tells me that airplane gas it won't varnish and swears it contains no ethanol. He said thats what he gets for winter storage. My understanding is the FAA won't allow ethanol in aviation fuel. Gee, I wonder why. I believe av-gas would eventually tarnish, but we're talking about a long time.
Midicat Posted December 7, 2015 #6 Posted December 7, 2015 :sign yeah that: I just fill it with fresh gas (ethanol free if you can get it) that has a heavy dose of SeaFoam in it. Run it till it is fully warmed up to get the treated gas into the carbs. Once every 4-6 weeks I'll charge the battery. Do not fall into the trap of running the engine unless you are going out for a real ride to get the engine and trans fully warmed up. Just idling does more harm than good. That's all I do. Thomas
Flyinfool Posted December 7, 2015 #7 Posted December 7, 2015 I have a pilot friend that tells me that airplane gas it won't varnish and swears it contains no ethanol. He said thats what he gets for winter storage. One of the government TLA (Three Letter Acronyms) agencies just recently passed some ruling that airports can no longer sell fuel to walk in customers with a gas can. 100LL still contains some lead and there are no road taxes being paid. People were buying it for the 100 octane to put in their sports cars and bikes. My local FBO says they can not dispense fuel without a tail number. Now if you know a pilot and he can say that the fuel is for his aircraft.......... If you can find this gas near you http://www.racegas.com/fuel/21 it is designed for winter storage and infrequently used motors and has a storage life if 3 years. Sunoco also has several other race gas formulas that would be very good for winter storage, they also have a location finder on the website to find the nearest sales outlet for each type of gas.
garyS-NJ Posted December 7, 2015 Author #8 Posted December 7, 2015 Aviation fuel and sunoco race gas interesting but expensive compared to regular gas and some stabilizer??
Flyinfool Posted December 7, 2015 #9 Posted December 7, 2015 Expensive but better. Any ethanol free gas will be good for storage. It is the ethanol that is really bad. The race gas and the Aviation gas are a great alternative to those that can not get ethanol free gas. I have to drive over 100 miles to get ethanol free pump gas. I can get the race gas locally So if you add in the cost of 100 miles worth of gas in my truck, then the race gas aint so expensive anymore.
Du-Rron Posted December 7, 2015 #10 Posted December 7, 2015 Back in the good old days, and since I worked at the Airport, I got the Zook registered as a 172 and got the AV GAS ONLY stickers for it.
eagleeye Posted December 8, 2015 #13 Posted December 8, 2015 Jeff, really? I'm surprised to hear you say that. I have to drive over 100 miles to get ethanol free pump gas. All of the stations around here have premium with no ethanol. I suppose you are in that Lake Michigan region.
Flyinfool Posted December 8, 2015 #14 Posted December 8, 2015 Yes @eagleeye I know you have a station 3 blocks away :jealous:. But because of all the pollution that floats up here from Chicago we get stuck in the stupid gas category. And since I am just 3 blocks from the lake, it is a long way out of this no matter which direction I head. I am almost halfway to your house for the nearest gas station.
Goose68 Posted December 8, 2015 #15 Posted December 8, 2015 Hmm what is this bike storage you speak of ? I just road a 100 mile fun ride today. Its 70 and sunny here but it was windy lol. I guess I am also fortunate there is a gas station a mile away that only sales ethanol free gas and several more that has ethanol free options.
garyS-NJ Posted December 8, 2015 Author #16 Posted December 8, 2015 I have 3.5 bikes and live in the northeast and ride all year. Never too long or far in the cold weather but I ride. With this I really only need one bike on the road and the venture is my first bike with a big fairing and windshield. It's comfy and my winter rids now so the little bike gets laid up.
KISA Posted December 9, 2015 #17 Posted December 9, 2015 If there is an opportunity, it is necessary to start the motorcycle 2 times a month. Before approach of winter I change oil and I remove the accumulator. The tank has to be full.
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