Winter Storage

Hi does anyone here run their carbs dry before storing or is it better to leave gas in them? I usually stabilize the bike and start it up every 2 weeks. Which method is best?

 

I added Stabil and run it once and a while (because I can't help myself). There was another thread where this was asked. I'll see if I can find the link.

http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/winter-storage.105196/

 

I ad a fuel stablizer and run the last few tanks of gas with non ethanol gas and leave carbs full. change oil and filter. remove the battery and bring it in from the cold,trickle charge it on a tender then leave it alone. if we get a warm spell above 32 degrees I may start it and run it for several minutes but that is typically closer to spring time
you can fogg all the chrome as well

 

Just a thought on this. Starting for a few minutes particularly in the cold weather will fill the exhaust with water. I had to replace the exhaust on my 750 years ago because it rusted out from inside out. So, maybe not a good idea to run unless you plan on riding at least 10 miles or so to completely heat and dry the exhaust??

 

I know up here in the ice n snow, it's pretty bad for the exhaust not to get the motor up to full operating temperature. If you look at a tailpipe of a vehicle that has just been started, you sometimes see water dripping out... that's the condensation that rooster is referring to. You need to heat the pipes enough to evaporate that water, or it will rust and/or freeze, causing cracks.

 

I drail bowls and fill with marvel mystry oil through the fuel line. In spring drain and fill with fresh fuel. I do not recommend starting up below 30 degrees the condesation can cause mufflers to rust out ...last season I was stupid warmed up a little tried to start , made mistake of spraying to much ether into airbox back fired a couple of times and set bike on fire low ...fire extingsher time ...lucky I did no damage. Needless to say I will not do this again I will wait till it hits at least 50 I won' t even try to start bike...even though it is tempting.

 

I start mine in the 30's (starts pretty easily usually), but only if I'm planning on riding for at least a 1/2 hour (yes, I do that. No it's not smart, but it's fun).

 

anything to extend the riding season

 

For all combustion engines that are laid up for winter, I always treat the gas to Stabil (the kind for evil ethanol) and make sure it is ran enough to fill the carbs. I think it is good to keep "conditioned" fuel instead of dry. I will say that if you want to store the carbs dry, my only suggestion is to soak all of the seals and o-rings in MMO first and store them that way. Overfill your tires a little to help with flat spots. I always fill my gearbox to the top in order to keep the gears fully soaked; otherwise the tops of the gears will get surface rust. Spray WD-40 down the exhaust, or fogging oil, and put a sandwich bag over the tip with a ziptie or tape. Pull the spark plugs, spray fogging oil into all heads, install plugs finger tight. Fill your gas tank with conditioned gasoline (drain it in the spring and run it in your mower). Remove the battery and put it on a trickle charger inside your house, or on a garage shelf, or floor out-of-the-way. (There is talk of not leaving batteries on the cement floor, but that is old news pertaining to the days when batteries had glass in them, prone to freezing on the cement floor; no longer valid).

Your little engines have no idea that they are laid up, and they not only do not need exercising, they SHOULD NOT be exercised as you will cause more damage by not bringing it up to full operating temperature. I am so adamant about this that if I were looking at buying a motorcycle from you and you told me that you started it and idled it occasionally throughout the winter, I'd be hesitant to buy it.

My $0.02

 

Just idling and reving up a cold bike does not do much good , your oil will have some condensation which would only get removed by riding it ,not idling even if engine was real hot , condensation will lay in the lowest part the exhaust = rust corrosion . All depends if temps get in 40-50 degree range and there is no snow or ice in your area then you might be able to ride. Right now it is 23 degrees with a -12 wind chill in northern Indiana and we have about a foot of snow and ice ...my garage is not heated soooo I look at bike everyday , but resist temptation to start it up , removed battery so that helps too . Thanks Polar Vortex can't wait till spring , this was just my thoughts other will have their thoughts . Cheers

 

I look at mine and sometimes softly touch it while whispering phrases of inspiration to it. "Soon my pretty, soon" She doesn't know what wind chill is so I do my best not to shiver in her presence. I eye up the duct tape on the exhaust openings to make sure no mouse has tried to enter my beloved from behind. Her curvy seat is inside, essentially removing the roof off of any rodents domicile, the battery near by being tended. My leathers and helmet tucked back to the rear of the coat rack but close enough to the window to be aware of any shift of the season.

Just this morning I was driving to work (finally got a real job - woohoo!) and the commute is a glorious ride on two northern Wisconsin county roads which gently twist through woods and past a small lake AND in the morning I see maybe 3 other vehicles. On the way home there are a few more but once I'm 3 miles out of Merrill the road is back to being mine. So as I cautiously crunched along on the packed snow covered road this morning shivering in my rag-topped Wrangler I briefly had a flash of the XJ and me - and I smiled.


"Soon my pretty, soon - spring will be sprung and we will carve our way through the northwoods to work and on the way home we may perhaps take a 'wrong turn' - - - and wander the backcountry even further."


sigh

 

the true X(J)mas season starts with the spring thaw.

 

The true meaning of X(J)mas.... I'm receiving a pair of Chrome bluetooth speakers w/amp for "Maxine",
...and maybe ( if I'm a good boy) a couple more L E D under-glow lights, Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Clause !
.