to drain or not to drain ????

[OtisBlkR1]

So do you drain the carb on your bike when you put it up for winter ? or do you just add additives and let it creep through the system then not worry about it ? OR do you add additives, let it run, then shut off the fuel valve and call it a season ?

ive done all three.. Im seriously considering draining it this year.. the past two years ive not even shut off the valve.. just added staybill and let it run for a bit and then shut her off.. took a bit of cranking the next spring but she fired and ran fine..


anyways, im just wondering what you do ?

 

[Hermann]

I just draim the float bowls when winter really sets in. It is already December, and I will be riding more this week as we expect temps in the 60's. Always have some warm days in March so I am already within the 90 day window for gas storage without stabilizer. The fuel I use is non ethanol 93 octane. The only time I have had problems was when I used Sta-Bil and did not empty the float bowls.

 

[Anduril]

I live in southern California. What's winter?

 

[Tahir]

I am as of now within the 90 day window for gas space without stabilizer. The fuel I utilize is non ethanol 93 octane. The sole time I have had situations was when I utilized Stabil and did not discharge the buoy bowls.

 

[Quattro Pete]

I just add stabil at the last fuel-up of the season, then ride a few miles, and that's it.

 

[RonH]

I used to just let bikes sit and never had a problem unless they sat for 6 months or more. One time added Stabil and the gas went bad really quick and all my pilot jets were clogged whithin 6 months and yes I added the correct amount and yes the mixture was in the bowls. After that mess, I drain carbs if they are going to sit 6 months. All my new motorcycles are now fuel injested, so no worry there sitting, but they never sit more than a week or 2 most winters.

 

[Robenstein]

I add an overdose of fuel stabilizer, let it run to make sure it gets into the carbs, and let it be.

When I had a 3x2 setup on my LT1 small block, if I had to pull and clean all the carbs every years after letting it sit until I started doing this. It then sat for 4 years once and fired right up with no issue. Also with my Yamaha Virago, and the other carb'ed bikes in our garage it always works. I always overdose though.

 

[ammolab]

Drain always. Takes about a minute on the Ninja 250.

Why bother? I know how long it takes to remove, clean and remount those two little carbs.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Originally Posted By: ammolab
Drain always. Takes about a minute on the Ninja 250.

Why bother? I know how long it takes to remove, clean and remount those two little carbs.


I was short on time, i got the bike started today and turned of the fuel valve.. let the bike run till it died. I may still see if anything comes out of the bowles over the weekend by way of the drain screw.. we shall see.

 

[craigq]

For carb'd bikes I've:

1. Filled to the top
2. Added Stabil in the recommended dosage
3. Ride around the neighbourhood
4. a) Drained the carb float bowls
or
4. b) Left the float bowls full
No problems either way with 4. a or b for storage from Oct/Nov to Mar/Apr.

For EFI'd bikes I've only bothered to fill to the top, add Stabil, ride it around the local roads, then put it away.

 

[ammolab]

Originally Posted By: OtisBlkR1
Originally Posted By: ammolab
Drain always. Takes about a minute on the Ninja 250.

Why bother? I know how long it takes to remove, clean and remount those two little carbs.


I was short on time, i got the bike started today and turned of the fuel valve.. let the bike run till it died. I may still see if anything comes out of the bowles over the weekend by way of the drain screw.. we shall see.


You will be surprised how much is left in the carbs....I see about an ounce come out the drain after I run my bike "dry".

 

[OtisBlkR1]

Decided to Drain the carbs today.. took less tha 3 minutes.. just thought id update... very little fuel in the bowls.. i was a little suprised.