Winter storage question
 

Getting ready to store the bike for the winter and was wondering if I should drain the carbs even though the fuel in the carbs/ tank has had stabilizer added to it. I searched the forums for an answer and found two threads on the topic. One said to drain the carbs and the other didn't mention doing it.

Any advice is appreciated.
Cheers
Brian

I have breaks in weather in my location so I will ride thru the season as long as there is no white stuff on the ground. The bikes that do sit out the season with sta-bil in the tank I Have not drained and not had an issue. Just start the lay up with fresh premium gas and sta-bil all the way to the float bowls.

Thanks for the reply. For sake of discussion, would draining the carbs be as simple as shutting off the petcock and then letting the bike run 'till the fuel in the float bowls runs out? I know this all sounds like pretty basic stuff, it's just that in the past I have always been some what, shall we say, slack in how I've stored and maintained my bikes. This bike is in such good shape that I almost feel obligated to the machine and the PO to maintain the bike to the highest standard I can.

Thanks.
Brian

That's the way I'd do it Brian. There may be a more thorough way, but it would be good enough for me :icon_shrug:

Anytime I lay a motor up for the winter I just run it with fuel stabilizer in it and my
product of choice is seafoam

Thanks for the input gents. I am going to lay the bike up this weekend and unfortunately it will have to stay outside under a cover for the duration of the winter. I figure that if a do a thorough job of it, the bike will be ok.

Sprock, I read mention of seafoam in a different thread and looked into it. I didn't realize that it can be used as a fuel stabilizer. Also youtubed it, and it looks like fun to say the least. It's too late in the season to treat the engine now but will def. see to it in the spring. Some of the vids on ytube were quite funny; so much smoke! (and I thought my IT465 pissed off my neighbors, wait till they see this!)
Cheers,

Brian

Give this a look, and spray it with anti-rust if it's staying outside!! This guy uses Duck-oil, he's obsessive but I'd buy any of his bikes :icon_shrug:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G77BXjI5mcc