Gas tank for winter layup

jschara · Nov 3, 2017

This year for winter layup on my 1987 K75s I thought I would siphon the tank dry instead of filling it and adding Sta-bil. I find when I do this to my R/65 (tank removed and drained) it's much easier to work on and move around the garage. Less weight. Being fuel injected will all the gas be gone if I siphon and use compressed air to dry the inside (of tank) or will I have to do something to the injectors to be sure there isn't any gas left in the system? OR, is there a easier way to drain the tank?

Opinions always welcomed,

Jim

Omega Man · Nov 3, 2017

You may find a dry tank subject to "flash rust" if not in a climate controlled area. If you want to drain it you could pour in some Marvel Mystery Oil and roll it around and coat the steel. It won't hurt the bike when you start it.
OM

6322 · Nov 3, 2017

Flash rust in an aluminum tank? That's a new one on me :scratch

Omega Man · Nov 3, 2017

6322 said:
Flash rust in an aluminum tank? That's a new one on me

Steel or aluminum- same deal. Flash corrosion make you happy?
The ethanol on the aluminum creates moisture which creates the white “paste” that clogs the small parts in a fuel system.
:wave

OM

pglaves · Nov 3, 2017

I just add Stabil and leave the tank with gas in it. But, if you do want to empty the tank for convenience then you need to do two things. First there will be residual fuel in the lines, the fuel pressure regulator and the injectors. The fuel in these components should have stabilizer in the fuel. There is also a sump beneath the fuel pump that is hard to drain. You may need to lift the fuel pump and suction this area to be sure you have all the fuel out.

WalterK75 · Nov 3, 2017

Add appropriate amount of Stabil and fill tank.

Rinty · Nov 3, 2017

My bike sits for 6 months in an unheated garage, every winter with fuel in, and no Stabil. No issues, ever. But our climate is very dry. The only issues I have had are with two stroke engines, which don't like stale fuel.

gtrider · Nov 3, 2017

WalterK75 said:
Add appropriate amount of Stabil and fill tank.

^^^^^^^^^This^^^^^^^^ but add the Stabil, go for a nice looong ride, then fill the tank with non-ethanol gas. Stick something in the intake snorkel to keep out mice and drop a D-con feeder under the bike so there’s something besides seats and wiring for the little buggers to chew on.

Best,
DG

Omega Man · Nov 3, 2017

GTRider said:
^^^^^^^^^This^^^^^^^^ but add the Stabil, go for a nice looong ride, then fill the tank with non-ethanol gas. Stick something in the intake snorkel to keep out mice and drop a D-con feeder under the bike so there’s something besides seats and wiring for the little buggers to chew on.

Best,
DG

Non ethanol gas......wish I could get it at a reasonable price as it would be such a help......near the local race track, VP racing fuel is $10/gal.
FWIW, I use StaBil, Techron and some two-stroke mix really run through for storage. Just started a 14hp Kawasaki engine, last run a year ago and it was fine with this mixture.
Mice have been numerous this year. I use a combination of bait and traps.
OM

jpdicarlo · Nov 7, 2017

Yeah, and empty tank makes the bike a bit lighter, but all that air in there is doing you no favors. Moist fall air chills down come winter and becomes cold dry air, with a puddle of water beneath it. Not what you want in your tank. Park it full.

drneo66 · Nov 8, 2017

Omega Man said:
Non ethanol gas......wish I could get it at a reasonable price as it would be such a help......near the local race track, VP racing fuel is $10/gal.
FWIW, I use StaBil, Techron and some two-stroke mix really run through for storage. Just started a 14hp Kawasaki engine, last run a year ago and it was fine with this mixture.
Mice have been numerous this year. I use a combination of bait and traps.
OM

This map has gas stations that carry non ethanol gas - may help you price compare.

[url]https://www.pure-gas.org/extensions/map.html
[/URL]

Omega Man · Nov 8, 2017

drneo66 said:
This map has gas stations that carry non ethanol gas - may help you price compare.

[url]https://www.pure-gas.org/extensions/map.html
[/URL]

Thanks for the try......it seems to be mainly the VP racing fuel in 5 gallon cans. The place I have been getting it is a racing fuel right off the pump. I’ll have to check RI and NH.
OM

drneo66 · Nov 9, 2017

Omega Man said:
Thanks for the try......it seems to be mainly the VP racing fuel in 5 gallon cans. The place I have been getting it is a racing fuel right off the pump. I’ll have to check RI and NH.
OM

I guess I'm confused to why you would need racing fuel? (unless you're racing). The non ethonol fuel (at least what I can get here) is of the right octane for our bikes... just trying to understand

jandhumphreyme · Nov 9, 2017

Some guys around here us Avgas for winter storage. They claim it won't go bad over the winter and does not contain any ethanol.

Omega Man · Nov 9, 2017

drneo66 said:
I guess I'm confused to why you would need racing fuel? (unless you're racing). The non ethonol fuel (at least what I can get here) is of the right octane for our bikes... just trying to understand

It’s all I have access to here in mass. It happens to be 108 octane but it’s the non-ethanol that is the important part. The high octane does run well on the 2-stroke engines though.
OM

pglaves · Nov 9, 2017

jandhumphreyme said:
Some guys around here us Avgas for winter storage. They claim it won't go bad over the winter and does not contain any ethanol.

And using it as motorcycle fuel is of course both a state and Federal crime.

Omega Man · Nov 9, 2017

PGlaves said:
And using it as motorcycle fuel is of course both a state and Federal crime.

And they think Harley riders are renegades.
OM

roncooper · Nov 10, 2017

jandhumphreyme said:
Some guys around here us Avgas for winter storage. They claim it won't go bad over the winter and does not contain any ethanol.

It is leaded-which is not good for catalytic converters.

jpdicarlo · Nov 11, 2017

drneo66 said:
This map has gas stations that carry non ethanol gas - may help you price compare.

[url]https://www.pure-gas.org/extensions/map.html
[/URL]

Worthwhile if it works for you, but the map appears to be user-modifiable. The station IDed as being closest to me is in fact located 100 mile from its actual location.

jschara · Nov 19, 2017

Thanks to all who responded. I would have moved the tank inside, but not worth the time to remove it just to save a few pounds while moving the bike around the garage. Will add stabil and top off.

Jim

Gas tank for winter layup

New member

Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat

Member

Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat

#13338

Active member

New member

52184

Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat

Attachments

New member

Active member

Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat

Active member

Member

Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat

#13338

Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat

New member

New member

New member

Similar threads