So i had my bike sit through winter in a nice garage, so its not in bad shape from the elements, and i started it and let it warm up every so often, but im too lazy to clean the carbs im already doing a lot of other things and dont wanna wait any longer to ride in this nice weather so i was just gonna buy a bottle of carb cleaner and put it in the gas tank, my question is which carb cleaner would you recommend as being the best to use? idc about price.

 

Hands down, best cleaner on the market is Chemtool B-12. You can get it at Autozone or Advance, maybe others. I've used them all in last couple of decades, even the really expensive Valvoline "synthetic" cleaner and NOTHING beats the B-12.

 

my friend suggested that one cause he heard it was good, ill be sure to pick it up soon thanks!

 

yup b12 is great stuff

 

Seafoam is another great one. You can get it at the same place for I think about $10 a bottle.

 

I assumed he meant spray cleaners? Seafoam IS some great stuff to run through your tank. I've used it several times. If you have any cuts on your hands, that B12 is gonna burn like crazy. It'll also eat up all oils in your skin so good idea to put lotion on your hands when you're done cleaning.

 

i was actually talking about fuel additive carb cleaners, ive seen sea foam talked about a lot elsewhere too, im not sure which is better?

 

Oh okay, my bad. In that case, go with the Seafoam over the B12. I've tried the B12 additive and didn't see any results (but their spray cleaner is the BEST). My next door neighbor has a Goldwing trike that had sat for a spell. He asked me to look at it, it idled like crap. At least 2 cylinders weren't firing at idle (pilot jets clogged). He ran a tank with seafoam through it and she purrs like a kitten. I've been sold on that stuff ever since. I've cleaned carbs on Goldwing before...DID NOT look forward to removing them. Major pain in the rear.

 

Prolly Seafoam. Also if you want, you can unhook a vacuum hose and let the engine pull it directly in for some real cleaning. Another thing people do is add it to their oil right before an oil change (10-20 miles prior). To help clear the sludge in the engine

Of course Seafoam isn't a miracle worker. It's not the Robatussin of motorcycles It will help mild issues and minor blockages. But it won't compare to a thorough cleaning

 

SEAFOAM... Nothing else does it quiet like the foam. I am an avid Lucas FI cleaner user, and let me tell you, Seafoam hands down does it better and faster. My TL1000R sat totaled in a backyard for 4 years, ran 1oz. per gallon of gas (Lucas) for 3 tank fulls and I picked up 11mpg. Similar scenario with my Vstar (but sat only 2 years) 1/2 can of Seafoam and a full tank of 91octane and 15+mpg increase.

They all work, some better than others, but nothing does it faster than Seafoam. For maintenance, throw some Techron FI cleaner in it every 10th fill up, and you will ALWAYS be running spotless

Last thing, I promise... Before you store it again, dump a can (or 1/2 can) of Seafoam in the tank with some fresh 91octane and give it a nice 10 minute blast around the block. Good as new when you go to start her up again, no clogs, no varnish, and the gas is even still good enough to ride on..