Do you turn your fuel off and let your bike run out when your done riding?
- Thread starter kona dawg
- Start date
BikerDave
Hang Around
I was thinking that myself. It makes sense the small amount of fuel in the bowl would go bad if it set for weeks. Can't think of any harm to the carb by running it out of fuel.
Watch that back, ya dont want a zipper like me!!!!
HDLARRY
Active Member
Normally I simply shut the fuel valve at the end of the days ride.
I've let a bike set to long (all winter) with the fuel turned off and the fuel left in the carb evaporated. The varnish type material that was left plugged up some of the smaller carb ports. Had to totally clean out the carb in order to get the bike running properly again.
When storing for the winter I would suggest either leaving the fuel valve open and take your chances with leaks or close the valve and run the motor until it quits. Just don't let the fuel in the carb evaporate.
Another tip I can offer from the school of hard knocks is store your bike for the winter with a full tank of fuel. Stored one with a half tank one winter and found condensation had rusted the inner top half of the tank. What a mess that was trying to clean all those little rust particles out of the fuel system. Then going through a three step process to recoat the inside of the tank and finally adding a fuel filter to minimize any future problems.
None of these problems were on my Bigdog but suspect it could happen to any bike given the chance.
I've let a bike set to long (all winter) with the fuel turned off and the fuel left in the carb evaporated. The varnish type material that was left plugged up some of the smaller carb ports. Had to totally clean out the carb in order to get the bike running properly again.
When storing for the winter I would suggest either leaving the fuel valve open and take your chances with leaks or close the valve and run the motor until it quits. Just don't let the fuel in the carb evaporate.
Another tip I can offer from the school of hard knocks is store your bike for the winter with a full tank of fuel. Stored one with a half tank one winter and found condensation had rusted the inner top half of the tank. What a mess that was trying to clean all those little rust particles out of the fuel system. Then going through a three step process to recoat the inside of the tank and finally adding a fuel filter to minimize any future problems.
None of these problems were on my Bigdog but suspect it could happen to any bike given the chance.
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Fibersnake
Banjo Playing PsychoBilly
I turn the valve off as soon as I shut off the bike. Never run it the carb out of fuel and never had no problems, even if it set for a while.
If I know it is going to sit for awhile, I treat the fuel with Stabil and it was always good at start up.
If I know it is going to sit for awhile, I treat the fuel with Stabil and it was always good at start up.
Like HD Larry I know that the tank should be full if setting for a long time. And I know from years around farm tractors and machinery that sitting over winter can cause a carb to 'gum-up' and then doesn't run for shit and one has to extensively clean and maybe even rebuild the carb.
But I don't think a bike sitting for a month or so causes problems. Just go out and start it and let it run a little every two or three weeks. It never is a good thing to let a gasoline motor/carb sit too long. If you need to, put a little heater near the motor to warm it up first. Helps the battery too.
I never let the bike run out after I shut the petcock off. I have my doubts that you would get all the gas out of the carb and then if SOME gas remains and MORE air then gumming may occur more quickly and worse.
Just my 2 cents, Shovelcowboy
But I don't think a bike sitting for a month or so causes problems. Just go out and start it and let it run a little every two or three weeks. It never is a good thing to let a gasoline motor/carb sit too long. If you need to, put a little heater near the motor to warm it up first. Helps the battery too.
I never let the bike run out after I shut the petcock off. I have my doubts that you would get all the gas out of the carb and then if SOME gas remains and MORE air then gumming may occur more quickly and worse.
Just my 2 cents, Shovelcowboy
BorgerBigDog
BORN TEXAN
Damn good thread :up:
1BADK9
Limited Edition Member
for concerns of carb gumming and fuel storage there is a cheap product "fuel stabilizer". I put it in my generator since that fuel doesn't get burned for long periods of time. May be a good idea for you Northern folks whose bikes sit for long periods of time. I don't bother with the stabilizer in my BD, but I do shut off the petcock.
Chopper Dave
SIICK!!!
same here...I have been using SeaFoam in mine...I put about 5 oz. in my tank...top it off with premium fuel...and run the bike for about 5-8 miles...then shut off bike....shut off petcock and put on my bike jack:2thumbs: never had a problem yet.....I never start my bike during the winter....I don't start it til I am ready to ride in the spring!
I started putting in StarTron additive in my bike this year. It is supposed to take the ethonol out of the gas so the bike runs smoother. I fill a 5 gallon gas can and add this as well for the snowblower and weedwacker also. Friends of mine that own a marina have been using this stuff for years and have said they have not had any problems with the boats carbs gumming up. I'm going to try it this riding season as well in the BD and see how it does. Now to answer the post question, no I keep my petcock on.
