| Author | Message | ||
     Kalali |
Well, the way it looks back here in Jersey, my X1 will be sitting in the garage for a good stretch... I filled up the tank about a three weeks ago but didn't put any Sta-Bil in there thinking I would get a chance to ride it some more. Here is my question: Would Sta-Bil work if I just pour it in the tank and move the bike side to side to get it all mixed up with the fuel, or I need to run the bike to get the stuff through the injectors, etc.? | ||
| Andymnelson |
1/2 of the reason I put the stuff in is to get it in the lines and such. Seems to help keep things from getting gummed up. Will it work? I guess that depends on your definition of working! It will help prevent the moisture problems in your tank, yes. | ||
| Xl1200r |
pour it in, slosh it around, let it sit overnight to make sure it's mixed real good, then start it up and let it run for a minute to get through all the fuel lines. | ||
| Bluzm2 |
I don't use Sta-Bil anymore, I use Seafoam. It lasts longer than Sta-Bil. More stoddard solvents is a good thing.. keeps the shelac and sludge at bay. | ||
| Cobraman |
interesting. I was told to stay away from seafoam because it could cause damage on my engine. I don't remember what specifically... | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Look at the active ingredients in fuel stabilizers. Usually they are some form of alcohol. We're already at 10% grain alcohol at the pump. Remember also that alcohol loves water. It will try to get some from humid air. I gave up mothballing my X1. I just turn it off and leave it alone. So far, no problems. That damn thing always starts right up. It's sick. | ||
| Daveswan |
Stabil makes a marine version now that's in the auto parts stores and it's green in color. Now that ethanol is becoming 10% of the fuel mixture the new green stuff will do a better job at keeping ethanol from attracting water and whatever else it does that you don't want it to do. You can use it all year too in a much smaller does. The red Stabil was formulated before the ethanol was being used so much. | ||
| Kalali |
"Remember also that alcohol loves water." I always wondered why Bourbon mixed well with a dash of water. Now I know... And thanks for all the input. | ||
| Bads1 |
I use neither and haven't for many years. I fill my tank with fresh fuel and thats that. If its carbed. I start and shut the gas off and run it till the carb is dry. Battery tender and on stands. Put sheet or something that will breath and kiss it good night. | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
Why would you want to try to preserve old fuel? I simply drain the tank and the carb float bowl and burn the gas in my truck. Then I start with fresh gas when I take the bike out of storage. To me it makes no sense to try to keep old fuel in the bike when I can use it in my truck while it is still fresh and good. Problem solved (or avoided). | ||
| Sloppy |
Why should you use a fuel additive? I bought an RZ350 that sat for a year, covered, in a garage and when I cleaned out the carb, both main jets were COMPLETELY plugged with varnish. ANY prevention used to put a bike in storage is wise and a fuel preservative is cheap insurance. So the next question is how much should I do? Answer is that it depends upon how long you are going to store it and where. If it's less than 6 months, basic prevention is in order. Between 6 months and a year, go with common sense. More than a year, go with ALL recommendations. So you ask where are the details? Before we can give valuable responses, you should let us know how long it's going to be stored and where... | ||
| Bads1 |
I bought an RZ350 that sat for a year, covered, in a garage and when I cleaned out the carb, both main jets were COMPLETELY plugged with varnish. Try draining the float bowl's or shutting the gas off while the bike is running. Those carbs would be fine then. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Yeah, that was my ritual for the old ironhead. Run the bowl dry. It also matters what carb you have. Its original non-CV Kehin was awful after it was sitting. Always needed a shot of ether first time in spring. The Bendix I replaced it with was at least fair. It would most often only need a squirt and some choke. | ||
| Sloppy |
And how is Kalali going to drain the bowl if his bike doesn't have one??? Adding a fuel preserver sure sounds easier than draining his fuel... | ||
| Kalali |
Thanks folks. The bike is sucking on a Tender in an insulated attached garage where the temp hardly ever drops below 48F. I am hoping it won't sit idle much longer than a couple months, assuming a normal northeast winter. We usually do get a few 50F days here and there, warm enough for a quick spin. Anyway, I did add the recommended amount of STA-BIL in the tank last night and plan fire up the bike this weekend and let it run for a few minutes to get the stuff through the entire fuel delivery route. | ||
| Sloppy |
Since it's only going to be down for a few months I wouldn't be too concerned. Battery tender is a smart move to keep the battery and ignition system happy. Rather than having the engine idle see if you can get a minimum of a 30 minute ride to get the oil temperature up. If you just idle it you will get water in the oil. Before you start the riding season again make sure you change your oil and filter. Have a safe Holiday Season. | ||
| Buell_bert |
I tried Stabil once. I now just store my bikes/boat/lawnmower/4wheeler/etc.. I just start them once or twice a month and let each warm up. Also if you use premium gas here it has no ethynol. Well good luck. | ||
| Bads1 |
Starting a bike and letting idle is not the same as getting out and riding it to operation temp. It will build condensation in the internal's. | ||
| Fahren |
^^^^Yeah, that. If you don't get the bike heated up really well with a good run, then the water from condensation will not evaporate out and drool out your breather; instead, it will mix with your oil and emulsify and get nasty and gummy. Beware the H2O. | ||
| Kalali |
Alrighty then. Looks like I should keep my fingers crossed for a dry and warm (>45F) day to get the bike our for a good spin. Happy Holidays to all of you. So what the hell happened to global warming..!!?? | ||
| Kalali |
Those of us in the Northeast were finally blessed with a 50F day.... Took the X1 out for a nice long ride... Started right up and ran beautifully with plenty of enthusiasm and eagerness to play even after over a month of rest. Almost had forgotten how awesome of a bike this thing is. I can now sleep peacefully knowing that the entire fuel system is STA-BILized... Now back to the 26F and wind gusts of up to 40 mph. God, thank you. | ||
| Kmbuell |
Now that you've taken it out and warmed it up, got the stabil through the fuel system and have the battery all charged up, wash the bike! If there was salt on the roads, even if they were dry, you will get corrision on all those uncoated aluminum and chrome parts. I've seen it way too many times when I lived up north. Don't see it too much here in NC, but if the roads have been salted I won't ride until after a hard rain. Which we got Christmas day! | ||
| Kalali |
Good call. Thanks. Now just have to wait for another nice day top wash it... | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
If you have to wash it in cold weather, use warm water and then dry it completely starting with a leaf blower to get most of the water off and then with a hair dryer to get it out of the little places. I lived in Minnesota for years and did that more than once. |
