Hi guys!

I'm riding the fairing model. Got a question about the carburetors and pouring the fuel down for winter.
Can anyone tell me do I have to strip my F model down to get to them? I also heard I would need to lift the tank, is that correct?
I`m venturing for that tiny bolt to empty the carburetors, where is it exactly located??

It isn't necessary to remove the fairings to be able to drain the float bowls; all you need is a bit of fuel-grade tubing and a Phillips screwdriver.  If you look from the side of the bike, behind the cylinders and above the transmission you'll see the carbs and the float drains are on the bottom-front of each bowl.

If you want to shut off the fuel from the tank (to the carbs via the frame petcock), then you will have to raise (but not remove) the tank to turn off the tank petcock.  Once you turn that off you can mostly drain all the fuel lines from the tank to the carbs.


That said, most people don't drain the float bowls for winter storage.  Typically the recommended method is to add fuel stabilizer and ride the bike for a while to ensure that all the fuel in the lines/carbs is stabilized then top up the tank with stabilized fuel.  The reason being that the fuel in the float bowls keeps the float bowl gasket and other seals moist/supple; these would otherwise dry out and become brittle over time.

Agreed, I am Pro...

• Full tank of fuel with Sta-Bil (double dose if you want)
• Fuel in the  bowls
• Battery Tender 24/7

thank you @radodrill and @Suzuki Stevo for such a quick answer.

I'm planning to take her out on a last ride day before New Year's Eve and put a cover on her.

Let me get it straight, is it vital to drain those fuel hoses as well? or otherwise emptying carbs is pointless and they will be filled again with petrol from the tank?

Draining the float bowls will remove most of the fuel from the carbs up to the frame petcock; however, if the frame petcock has failed (e.g. bad diaphragm) or is in the prime position you can have fuel flowing from the tank.  The only way to ensure no fuel comes from the tank is to close the tank petcock.

As said before, it's recommended to store the bike with stabilized fuel in the tank and carbs rather than draining the carbs.

I was just in my garage and found those two bolts whooopi

One of them is quite weary, but I hope it's not a big deal and philips screwdriver will manage.

Are these two bolts those I was supposed to find?

Luckly I keep my bike next to other GS rider, who is a neophyte - just like me , so the plan is, his machine will get that stabilizer and my will get those carbs drained and see which starts better in few months time 


[attachment deleted by admin]

The fuel in the bowls, even with stabilizer will get FuNkIeR than the fuel in the tank, due to the bowl vent that exposes the fuel in the bowl to the atmosphere and the fact that smaller quantities of fuel turn to compost faster than larger quantities of fuel (tank). So worst case scenario for the bike stored with fuel in the bowls would be to drain them right before you try and start the bike in the spring, the fuel in the tank is more apt to light off better than the fuel that's been in the bowls all winter.

Quote from: F variant on December 27, 2013, 12:21:18 PM
I was just in my garage and found those two bolts whooopi

those are indeed the float drains

Thanks guys for all the help

One more question if I may.
Does anyone know, what is this turning knob for? Isn't it too far out, literally?
http://oi41.tinypic.com/fc8enr.jpg

Idle speed, sticks out so you can reach in and adjust it easily.