Laying bike up for winter...

[Uncle Bob]

I've never bothered doing anything to the fuel when laying bike up over winter, just clean, cover, connect optimate and leave until next year! That's done me well over the last 20 years or so and the bike always starts 5 or 6 months later.

This year, well after seeing things about Ethonol in petrol (rusty tanks and gumming carbs), etc I was thinking should I do more? Should I just add fuel stabilizer, fill the tank and leave. Should I drain the carbs? Trouble with the net is that you can find views for every option - good and bad - it does your head in. I guess I am thinking about it more this year as the Katana is more long term (hopefully) than previous bikes that I didn't mind about. Bike is left in unheated, detacted garage.

Any views here?

[Katgeezer]

Definitely drain the carbs. Johnr will recommend some fuel stabilizer hopefully and yes brim the tank.
If possible put it on some wood to keep the tyres off the floor. Battery on optimate. Cover with an old blanket or two if possible before a waterproof cover.
Some will suggest draining the oil and filling with clean (cheapest you can find as you'll change it again before use next year).

Sadly I rarely do any of these things and always give myself a days work in the spring as a result!!!

[Uncle Bob]

Same here with the new bike (VStrom) - it remains taxed for use, weather permitting.

Fuel stabilizer recommendation would be handy - I did go to local car accessories shop and guy there (has bike as well) thought it was just "snake oil" which is some peoples view on the web as well, but I'll give it a try. I might change the oil with decent stuff but won't do again in spring (as normal).

Draining carbs I'll do. It's a pity there aren't drain pipes like on my GT200 to make it easier. Any tips on good containers that fit underneath carbs to catch the petrol as it comes out (I'll probably cut down a platic milk bottle but other ideas welcome).

I see Blix empties his tank but I'll go with the fill up method as I'm lazy and can't be bothered to take it off

I was at Copdock bike show a few weeks ago and a stand there had a big plastic cover with "coating" on inside to protect bike (wasn't vacuum bag). £35, but I talked to the lady and said it's open at the bottom (not sealed) and in the end she said have one free! All she wanted was before and after pictures so she can use in advertising next year (assuming it works). So I'm trying that.

Rob

[Katgeezer]

Think I'm right in saying a 2l coke bottle with the side sliced out fits.

[Pop-Kat]

Disconect the vacuum pipe and plug it with a small bolt, turn tap to prime and run the bike until it runs out of fuel. no need to drain the carbs then. once done tap back to ON position, pull the fuel hose off and plug that too, this way no fuel can leak to the carbs over winter (if diaphragm goes) don't forget to connect the hoses back up when you get it running again.

Don't leave the optimate on all the time you'll knacker your battery, even if they say it's ok, just give it a charge every 2 or 3 weeks.

I leave some petrol in the tank but not much. leave the tasnk un bolted and once a month lift it off and give it a gentle shake.



I like Chris unfortunately don't always practice what I preach and have left a couple of bike far too long, i'll pay for that when I want them to run

[bobster]

Fuel stabiliser in the tank and then run the bike up every month or so until exhaust are hot hot hot!

Cover the bike with ACF50 or WD40 and dont spray on discs tho!

[Uncle Bob]

I was looking at what fuel stabiliser to get and have decided on Briggs and Stratton as it's cheaper than stuff aimed at bikes and Lawn Mowers* need it more for their infrequent use (well with my gargen it is). I was looking on Amazon and saw a review by Dave R (Katsd) in Nottingham who has a 1100 Katana - anyone on here? Anyway a good review ( see http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/B003374F ... ul.Reviews and that pointed me to the B&S part number 992381 that also protects against upto 10% Ethanol. Local mower shop has some.

* Actually my mower is a Honda - I thought that if I had to have a Honda in my life then that was going to be the only way

[Uncle Bob]

Well I should have searched harder here - I see DaveR was here and even had his views on stabiliser in post...

http://www.katanaownersclub.co.uk/forum ... php?t=2455

[fossie]

My two penth : my 650 which lives alone in France gets the drains plugs taken out and left out, this is stop the droplets forming to grunge in he small airways.
The battery comes back to UK. For ever day use.

Sometimes the 650 is left for a year and not started. But when I do reconnect battery at refit drain bolts prime the carbs , bingo starts straight away.

As for catching petrol I don't bother it will evaporate , just don't drain over Tarmac. Just place a rag on top of engine to collect majority.

[Uncle Bob]

Half a day well spent yesterday while it was sunny getting the bike ready for storage. Like Fossie, although they say the petrol goes off I have always left mine without too many issues starting - might run a little rougher until the next fill up but nothing major.

I think the main issue now though, is the Ethonol one - water being attracted to the inside of the tank and corroding it, etc. So I went for DaveR's advice and I got the new formula Briggs and Stratton Fuel Fit from the local mower shop in Norwich and it was £4.30 to treat 25 litres. To be honest, for £4.30 it's cheap enough just to do really - what have you got to lose? I have already in the past had to replace a leaky pop-up tank at resonable cost, and as I am planning on the 1100 being long term it's probably worthwhile.

So it was topped up with Super unleaded, Fuel Fit added, oil and filter changed (that needed doing anyway), carbs drained (using the half bottle method (that had to be about 60p worth of petrol saved )), cleaned and in it's large condom!

So can't wait until April now so I can get it all out again - it's going to be a long winter...

Rob