6 month Storage questions.....

I'm getting ready to deploy again after 3 weeks at home. Thank God I got to ride a little bit. So, this will be the first time I don't sell my bike before I leave for a long period of time so I'm unsure of what to do for proper storage.

I have everything off the bike in preparations for paint when I return. I've emptied the tank but to my best efforts I can't seem to get the last 2 cups of gas out. I hear it in there sloshing but no amount of upside down shaking will get it out. Any tricks to this? Should I just fill 'er up with gas and sea foam and leave it?

Also, I'm assuming I should drain the carbs. Is this correct or should I keep the fuel in them with seafoam.

The battery is on a tender so no worries there. Any other suggestions?

Full tank and add a stabilizer(like SeaFoam).
Thx for your service..Stay alert.

Here's what I do for long term storage:

* Add a stabilizer to the fuel and fill up the tank as high as you safely can.
* Drain the carb bowls.
* Clean and lube the chain. I use a heavy weight gear oil, it's the best thing for conditioning o-rings.
* Change the oil.
* Battery tender.
* Store on the center stand, and if possible prop it up so the front tire is off the ground as well. (Maybe relieve some tire pressure, too.)
* Cover it with an old sheet.

When you get back, just change the oil again and hook up the battery, check the tire pressure, and ride away!

Stay safe, and thank you for your service.

[image: View Post]beavers, on 12 May 2011 - 10:26 AM, said:

Here's what I do for long term storage:

* Add a stabilizer to the fuel and fill up the tank as high as you safely can.
* Drain the carb bowls.
* Clean and lube the chain. I use a heavy weight gear oil, it's the best thing for conditioning o-rings.
* Change the oil.
* Battery tender.
* Store on the center stand, and if possible prop it up so the front tire is off the ground as well. (Maybe relieve some tire pressure, too.)
* Cover it with an old sheet.

When you get back, just change the oil again and hook up the battery, check the tire pressure, and ride away!

Stay safe, and thank you for your service.




+1 And try to put 100% gasoline in it, if you can find it .

If the tank is off the bike and ready for paint, I would add a splash of stabilizer and forget about it. The concern would be condensation in the tank (assuming you seal it off), but if you are only out 6 months the temps should be pretty stable. I would also disconnect the battery if its in the frame.
Gods speed, and thank you!

Pretty much agree with what everyone else said, fill the tank (add stabil or sea foam) drain the carbs. I might remove the battery from the bike, then put a tender on it. Change the oil is a good idea too.

Thanks for taking care of the rest of us!!!!

Thanks guys. Drain carbs, battery out and fill up tank. Can do but I think I'm going to keep the tank empty and either splash some seafoam in it or ACF 50 it.

[image: View Post]smackdoogle, on 12 May 2011 - 01:28 PM, said:

Thanks guys. Drain carbs, battery out and fill up tank. Can do but I think I'm going to keep the tank empty and either splash some seafoam in it or ACF 50 it.


Fuel stabilizer no longer works on fuel with ethanol in it. I know this for sure.

I cannot tell you how to keep an empty tank from rusting, as ethanol happened after my days of active duty when my bikes ever had to sit up.

But I can tell you that, if you can empty the tank or even remove it, and start the engine long enough to run the carbs absolutely dry so that the engine starves for fuel and shuts off (pinch off the vacuum tube with vice grips), you CAN fill the system, put a good battery to it, and ride away without fuel issues.
If I had to go overseas today, I would empty the tank and leave it open to the elements (under cover) with the cap open. I would run the engine till it used every bit of fuel in the carbs and shut off for good. I would suspend the chasis on jackstands to prevent flat spots in the tires. And I would cover the airbox and exhaust openings against rodents.

when I came back home, I would flush the (dusty) tank with fuel and/or kerosene or diesel fuel to remove the dust. I would fill the clean tank with fuel and prime the carb float bowls. I would drop the old oil and put in fresh, and then I would start it and ride carefully until my riding skills came back up to snuff.

We all appreciate what you're doing, none more than those of us who did the same thing before you, however long ago that was. Thanks, stay safe and when you come home, ride well.

Since the tank is off the bike I agree you should keep it empty. Stabilizer is said to only add about 1 week to fuel life, though my VFR ran started and well after a winter full of fuel and seafoam. To keep your empty tank from rusting coat the inside with motor oil. It will help keep moisture from getting to the surface and can be cleaned out upon your return by sloshing gasoline around inside it and then draining. What is left will be diluted upon a complete fill up and will not harm the carbs/engine. Be safe in your "travels".

[image: View Post]coffeebrake, on 13 May 2011 - 12:39 AM, said:

[image: View Post]smackdoogle, on 12 May 2011 - 01:28 PM, said:

Thanks guys. Drain carbs, battery out and fill up tank. Can do but I think I'm going to keep the tank empty and either splash some seafoam in it or ACF 50 it.


Fuel stabilizer no longer works on fuel with ethanol in it. I know this for sure.

I cannot tell you how to keep an empty tank from rusting, as ethanol happened after my days of active duty when my bikes ever had to sit up.

But I can tell you that, if you can empty the tank or even remove it, and start the engine long enough to run the carbs absolutely dry so that the engine starves for fuel and shuts off (pinch off the vacuum tube with vice grips), you CAN fill the system, put a good battery to it, and ride away without fuel issues.
If I had to go overseas today, I would empty the tank and leave it open to the elements (under cover) with the cap open. I would run the engine till it used every bit of fuel in the carbs and shut off for good. I would suspend the chasis on jackstands to prevent flat spots in the tires. And I would cover the airbox and exhaust openings against rodents.

when I came back home, I would flush the (dusty) tank with fuel and/or kerosene or diesel fuel to remove the dust. I would fill the clean tank with fuel and prime the carb float bowls. I would drop the old oil and put in fresh, and then I would start it and ride carefully until my riding skills came back up to snuff.

We all appreciate what you're doing, none more than those of us who did the same thing before you, however long ago that was. Thanks, stay safe and when you come home, ride well.



Thanks for your support and suggestions. Pretty much everything you suggested has been done so I feel pretty good in the condition it'll be in when I get back. The next six months are gonna fly. They always do.

[image: View Post]motorhead1977, on 13 May 2011 - 05:47 AM, said:

Since the tank is off the bike I agree you should keep it empty. Stabilizer is said to only add about 1 week to fuel life, though my VFR ran started and well after a winter full of fuel and seafoam. To keep your empty tank from rusting coat the inside with motor oil. It will help keep moisture from getting to the surface and can be cleaned out upon your return by sloshing gasoline around inside it and then draining. What is left will be diluted upon a complete fill up and will not harm the carbs/engine. Be safe in your "travels".


Good idea with the oil coating. I might have to try that.