Hi,
This is my first winter and I was wondering how i should store the bike. I don't plan to do a whole lot of riding but maybe turn it on once in a while this winter.
I heard that I should turn the fuel valve off, empty the fuel from the carbs, fill the tank to avoid rust.
but my fuel valve doesn't have an "off" position. Just ON, PRI, and RES
Also, i'm not sure how to empty the fuel from the carbs.
any recommendations on how to proceed? any videos or pics i can look at?
thanks and a happy new year all.
Step 1: Unbolt tank.
Step 2: With a flat head screwdriver handy, standing on left side of bike, lean over the tank and lift up the right side and look under it. You will see your tank petcock. There is a little screw in the middle of it. The slot will be vertical. Make it horizontal. This shuts off your fuel supply.
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/97-02-GS500-EV-K2-06-GS500F-PETCOCK-/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/$%28KGrHqUOKi8E55!0rnzgBOpgU%28R5Dw~~60_35.JPG)
Step 3: Drain the carbs. On the very bottom of each carb, there is a carb drain that is operated by a screw that faces the outside. I believe it is the only screw on the side of the carbs. Turn this screw and something to catch the fuel ready. Alternatively, you can fit a length of tubing to the nipple and drain right into a gas tank or something.
(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb17/ben_2_go/Motorcycle%20Stuff/Mikuni%20BST33SS%20Carbs/rightside-1.jpg)
Step 4: Store bike.
Might come back with pictures.
Don't forget fuel stabilizer due to crappy ethanol - it will separate into water and alcohol after 3 months if you don't do that.
Quote from: adidasguy on January 02, 2013, 11:52:53 AM
Don't forget fuel stabilizer due to crappy ethanol - it will separate into water and alcohol after 3 months if you don't do that.
+1. And run the bike after you have added the stabilizer to make sure that it gets to the carbs.
And run for 5 minutes or so on ON and on RES so both fuel lines get fresh gas with stabilized.
In fact, every month I make sure I run on RES for a short while after a fill up so the RES fuel line always has good, clean gas. If you never run on RES, when you really do need RES the fuel line probably is full of gooey crap which will foul your carbs.
Thanks Guys!
I'm going to go do that today. I bought some Stabil for the fuel but didn't think about filling it up fully.
I'll be sure to do that.
thanks again. applause for all!
Does the fact that my bike sits in a heated garage make a difference? If i just go turn it on for 5-10 mins every week or so, will that be enough for the winter?
Its more the fuel not moving through the bike that is a problem. Gas tends to gum up the fuel circuits in the carbs and fuel lines if it just sits. If you were to let it fully warm up once a week, and top it off with fuel/fuel stabilizer as needed, I'm sure you'd be fine.
I'll let others weigh in, I ride mine through the winter so I don't really have experience with wintering.
Keep it running, dont forget and go out there at least once every 2 weeks. I would say stabil is great, I also like Seafoam.
Draining the carb bowls is a great idea however. The battery will also get cold and can be damaged if left out in an unheated garage, it can potentially freeze.
Not sure about shocks and tires, I prefer to move my bikes around a bit or store them on the stand to keep them off the ground.
Quote from: gsatterw on January 02, 2013, 06:24:56 PM
Its more the fuel not moving through the bike that is a problem. Gas tends to gum up the fuel circuits in the carbs and fuel lines if it just sits. If you were to let it fully warm up once a week, and top it off with fuel/fuel stabilizer as needed, I'm sure you'd be fine.
I'll let others weigh in, I ride mine through the winter so I don't really have experience with wintering.
what kind of winter are you in? i'm in Chicago and it's 23 deg F right now. :) maybe i'm just a wuss. :)
haha, yea i'm in atlanta/new orleans. New Orleans mostly...winter really only lasts like a month and a half, and even still there are some 60 deg F days in new orleans. In atlanta now. It was 47 F today and I went on a 30 mile ride in my new to me old school AGV one piece leather suit and new BiLT Boots. Kept me toasty. Masculine colors on the suit, not so much. But for $80, it was a steal.
Graham
Quote from: anoopb on January 02, 2013, 06:45:20 PM
Quote from: gsatterw on January 02, 2013, 06:24:56 PM
Its more the fuel not moving through the bike that is a problem. Gas tends to gum up the fuel circuits in the carbs and fuel lines if it just sits. If you were to let it fully warm up once a week, and top it off with fuel/fuel stabilizer as needed, I'm sure you'd be fine.
I'll let others weigh in, I ride mine through the winter so I don't really have experience with wintering.
what kind of winter are you in? i'm in Chicago and it's 23 deg F right now. :) maybe i'm just a wuss. :)
Yeah thats what I am dealing with.. Tools cold, carbs cold, sub 30 degree temps. Got the heater out there and once I start it doesnt matter, but the motivation to go out there..
Personally..I double dose the Sta-Bil to a full tank, leave the fuel in the bowls, connect to a Battery Tender, start maybe once a month (mine are indoors), all my bikes are "turn key" and I only go into the carbs to change the jet size, not one clogged pilot jet in 40+ years of owning multiple bikes :cheers:
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/ninja04.jpg)
@suzuki_stevo, your garage looks like it's heated as well. I just got one bike so I don't think i need a battery tender. I was just going to go turn it on weekly for about 10 mins. maybe ride it around the garage (it's a multilevel one).
Not sure what you mean by "turn key" about the bikes.
Quote from: anoopb on January 02, 2013, 07:37:20 PM
@suzuki_stevo, your garage looks like it's heated as well. I just got one bike so I don't think i need a battery tender. I was just going to go turn it on weekly for about 10 mins. maybe ride it around the garage (it's a multilevel one).
YOU CAN SEE INFRARED RAYS TOO?!?!?! :o
Quote from: anoopb on January 02, 2013, 07:37:20 PM
@suzuki_stevo, your garage looks like it's heated as well. I just got one bike so I don't think i need a battery tender. I was just going to go turn it on weekly for about 10 mins. maybe ride it around the garage (it's a multilevel one).
Not sure what you mean by "turn key" about the bikes.
I have one Battery Tender per bike, "turn key" means runs anytime I turn the key 24/7/365, garage is not heated.
Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on January 02, 2013, 07:09:22 PM
Personally..I double dose the Sta-Bil to a full tank, leave the fuel in the bowls, connect to a Battery Tender, start maybe once a month (mine are indoors), all my bikes are "turn key" and I only go into the carbs to change the jet size, not one clogged pilot jet in 40+ years of owning multiple bikes :cheers:
Whats your monthly storage rate for others?.. ha ha. nice pic. I have to ask whats your favorite bike to date?
Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on January 02, 2013, 07:09:22 PM
Personally..I double dose the Sta-Bil to a full tank, leave the fuel in the bowls, connect to a Battery Tender, start maybe once a month (mine are indoors), all my bikes are "turn key" and I only go into the carbs to change the jet size, not one clogged pilot jet in 40+ years of owning multiple bikes :cheers:
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/ninja04.jpg)
Bike hoarder!!!! :icon_lol: :icon_lol:
You need help, Call Bike Hoarders Anonymous before its too late.
Quote from: codajastal on January 02, 2013, 09:05:03 PM
Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on January 02, 2013, 07:09:22 PM
Personally..I double dose the Sta-Bil to a full tank, leave the fuel in the bowls, connect to a Battery Tender, start maybe once a month (mine are indoors), all my bikes are "turn key" and I only go into the carbs to change the jet size, not one clogged pilot jet in 40+ years of owning multiple bikes :cheers:
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/ninja04.jpg)
Bike hoarder!!!! :icon_lol: :icon_lol:
You need help, Call Bike Hoarders Anonymous before its too late.
And he has never once visited the West Seattle Bike Cave.
Quote from: gsatterw on January 02, 2013, 07:41:15 PM
Quote from: anoopb on January 02, 2013, 07:37:20 PM
@suzuki_stevo, your garage looks like it's heated as well. I just got one bike so I don't think i need a battery tender. I was just going to go turn it on weekly for about 10 mins. maybe ride it around the garage (it's a multilevel one).
YOU CAN SEE INFRARED RAYS TOO?!?!?! :o
dude. you just let the secret out. man..just takes one guy to ruin it for the rest of us. you're that guy.
Quote from: anoopb on January 02, 2013, 11:11:19 PM
Quote from: gsatterw on January 02, 2013, 07:41:15 PM
YOU CAN SEE INFRARED RAYS TOO?!?!?! :o
dude. you just let the secret out. man..just takes one guy to ruin it for the rest of us. you're that guy.
PROUD. to be that guy. Cause people see that guy and think "hey, that is that guy" :2guns:
Quote from: Snake2715 on January 02, 2013, 08:54:05 PMI have to ask whats your favorite bike to date?
Yikes.....well even though I have sold it, I have had allot of fun riding my 07' GS500F, I bought it just before 08' GSX650F was released. When things got tight in the garage, it was a tough decision, but owning the GSX650F and a Ninja 250R, the GS500F became odd man out......letting the 500 go is still a choice I sometimes regret :cry:
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/mcamp03.jpg)
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/3p06.jpg)
Whenever I start to kick myself in the butt for letting the 500 go....I take the GSX650F out for the day and then remember why the 500 went down the road.
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/gsx17.jpg)
The DL650K5 or Wee Strom/V-Strom, 90° V-Twin, water cooling, EFI, 5.8 Gallons of gas with 55-58 Mpg any day of the week...if I have to ride 2up for any distance, this is my go to bike.
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/campstrom.jpg)
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/chinookpass.jpg)
With a redline of 13,000 and roughly 28 Hp, my 10' Ninja 250R has taken up the Lightweight Touring spot the GS500F once held.
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/ninja07.jpg)
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/sthell02.jpg)
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/nin.jpg)
If I had to only have 1 it would be the 07' Burgman 400, 65 Mpg, FULL FRONTAL PROTECTION from the elements, with all kinds of storage under the seat, it has been over many of the mountain passes in Washington State and never feels underpowered.
To answer your question....I really have no favorite, they all get used at different times of the year for different purposes, they all have redeeming quality's, once you figure out you can own more than one, that's when the fun begins! :O) (http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/hi12301.jpg)
10' Honda SH150i, water cooled, EFI, 65 Mph tops, 92 Mpg any day of the week
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/sh15003.jpg)
02' Honda CH80, 45 Mph tops, Fun, Fun, Fun, 101.5 Mpg even holding it WFO, it will be the next to go, it has been replaced by above SH150i.
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/costco01.jpg)
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/costco02.jpg)
Quote from: adidasguy on January 02, 2013, 11:00:12 PMAnd he has never once visited the West Seattle Bike Cave.
Can I drive my car there, it's too frigging cold out to ride, I'm a cold weather weenie?
Maybe we can hook up this summer for that ride we always talk about too??
/my derail!
Thanks for sharing!
Jestercinti posted the link to this video awhile back... its a pretty good one, shows the 'shoulds' for storing a bike.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G77BXjI5mcc
- Bboy
Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on January 03, 2013, 03:39:52 AM
Quote from: adidasguy on January 02, 2013, 11:00:12 PMAnd he has never once visited the West Seattle Bike Cave.
Can I drive my car there, it's too frigging cold out to ride, I'm a cold weather weenie?
Maybe we can hook up this summer for that ride we always talk about too??
Cars have to park on the street. Bikes get to use the Cave and car port.
While you're here, you can help fix that Ninja 250. (I see you have a Ninja.)
Quote from: BockinBboy on January 03, 2013, 12:46:50 PM
Jestercinti posted the link to this video awhile back... its a pretty good one, shows the 'shoulds' for storing a bike.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G77BXjI5mcc
- Bboy
Best one out there that I've seen.