Question-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Hi Falcon--
It's already been winter here for a while (Minnesota), but fairly warm (30s). My understanding is that all I need to do for storage is to drain the carburator.
1. Is that all I need to do?
2. Is it too late?
3. Do I need fuel stabilizer?
Thanks for any help you can give! --Andrew
Answer -
Hi Andrew.
The 30's is fairly warm?!
But seriously, it may be too late. You may have a bit of work ahead of you before the bike will run right for your riding season.
1) Pull and thoroughly clean the carbs.
2) Drain all fuel from the tank and reseal it.
3) Replace the fuel line.
4) Fuel stabilizers are nothing more than a placebo. They do not work well at all.
5) You will also need to replace the oil (maybe filter, too).
For next year;
1) Drain the tank and carbs.
2) Pull the sparkplugs, place a tablespoon of Marvel Mystery Oil in each cylinder and replace the sparkplugs. This prevents the pistons from rusting in the cylinders while the bike is in storage for the winter.
3) Place the battery on a maintainence charger.
When you prep the bike for next year's riding season, you will also need to do an oil change again.
Also, next year when you resurrect the bike, you will need to cycle the engine to clear out the oil that you put in the cylinders. Cycle the engine after you have put fresh fuel in the system.
Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON
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Thanks for the info! I'm a newbie and need a little clarification, though:
1. You're saying that, since I waited too long, the first 5 steps are for spring and I should not bother doing ANYTHING now, correct? --or should I do the Marvel oil or something now?
2. What is "reseal" gas tank?
3. In the future, I should ALWAYS change oil before and after winter storage?
4. What is "cycle the engine"?
Thanks again! --Andrew
AnswerHi again, Andrew.
This is what you need to do now.
1) Pull and thoroughly clean the carbs.
2) Drain all fuel from the tank and reseal it.
3) Replace the fuel line.
4) Fuel stabilizers are nothing more than a placebo. They do not work well at all.
5) You will also need to replace the oil (maybe filter, too).
This is what you need to do for winter storage next time.
1) Drain the tank and carbs.
2) Pull the sparkplugs, place a tablespoon of Marvel Mystery Oil in each cylinder and replace the sparkplugs. This prevents the pistons from rusting in the cylinders while the bike is in storage for the winter.
3) Place the battery on a maintainence charger.
Just change the oil after winter storage (not before, unless it is due as per the maintainence schedule). That way, any moisture that may have developed in the engine over the storage season will leave the bike with the old oil.
Cycling the engine simply means that you will turn the engine over a few times (if you have a kick starter, then use it first). Turn the bike on and hit the start button for a few cranks. You can pull the plugs and place rags over the holes to cycle it (the rags will keep the oil from splattering everything in the area) before you cycle the engine. Just replace them before you try to do the initial start-up.
To reseal the tank, you need to get the kit to reseal it (available at any decent bike shop or auto parts store). It has a liquid that is milky in color and very fluid. You will need to remove all of the components from the tank (fuel selector valve, fuel level sensor if you have one, fuel cap. Tape over all the holes in the tank from the removed components. Put the amount of fluid that the instructions call for into the tank, seal the opening that you filled it from and rotate the tank around to make sure that all of the fluid gets the entire inside of the tank.
Hope that clearifies things for you. drop me another line if you have any additional questions.
Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON
