Triumphrat

Stealth · 08-22-2007, 01:05 AM

How long will gasoline last in the bonnie tank with out adding stabilizer?

Stealth

mecscc · 08-22-2007, 01:54 AM

Depends. If I am not going to ride for 3 weeks I put in some Stabil. That is probably way too conservative but it is dirt cheap protection.
Monte

Weasel Pete · 08-22-2007, 02:08 AM

Gas lasts a long time. If it's gonna sit for more than a month you might want to add a stablilizer. Sta-Bil has some marketing propaganda on their site for some info. The big thing is to run the carbs dry. Switch the petcock off and run the bike until it quits. Fuel starts to break down and turn into varnish in about 30 days and the tiny passages and jets inside of the carbs will clog. When you pull the bike out of storage run a can of STP fuel treatment through the engine, (follow their directions for mixture ratio).

rodburner · 08-22-2007, 02:10 AM

This comes up several times a year. I don`t have an answer for you because I`ve never used anything.But I`ve not let my bike sit for for many weeks or a month.I know my lawn mower sits in an un-heated shed for 4 or 5 months at a time in the winter and starts first pull every spring with un treated 4 month old gas in it.

Hedge · 08-22-2007, 09:55 AM

Quote:

I know my lawn mower sits in an un-heated shed for 4 or 5 months at a time in the winter and starts first pull every spring with un treated 4 month old gas in it.

Like Rodburner - I have a Honda 2000 generator that sits for a year at a time and it starts and runs perfectly on the first pull with year old High Test. This is probably not a good idea to leave it that long but it is the last thing on my mind until there is an emergency power outage. I think I might run a repeating pop-up reminder in Outlook to pull start that puppy every 90 days and let her run for 30 min.

KingOfFleece · 08-22-2007, 10:17 AM

having spent a number of years around snowmobiles, which are known for fuel storage problems, and cleaning many carbs and a rebuilt every now and then due to varnish i use StaBil in everything but my truck every time. I keep it right in the shop next to where I park the bike and add a bit when i get home. Cheap insurance.

nick_t · 08-22-2007, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weasel Pete

The big thing is to run the carbs dry. Switch the petcock off and run the bike until it quits.

is this different from just draining the carbs using the little screw?

cheers!
nick

brgtiger · 08-22-2007, 11:21 AM

it's alot easier to run it dry than to drain. i think it has the same effect.

monkeyboy · 08-22-2007, 01:17 PM

Some of it depends on where you live. We in Cali get a special gas that is even more prone to turning to crap that most the rest of the US. I don't leave gas in any of my bikes for more than a week without letting the carbs run dry. It's not going to be bad in a week, but if I forget about it, I know I am safe. Anything more than a month I use Stabil in it.

You could save yourself some trouble and use race gas.

My race quads start on the first kick every time, but I expect that from 110 octane leaded race fuel.

Gwiaz · 08-22-2007, 01:49 PM

What I have been doing for years on advice from a small engine repair man is to put aviation gas in my bikes, mowers, weed eaters, etc . When I have to store them 5- 6 months here in Montana. Aviation gas prevents all the problems that you run up against when you store your toys. He has bikes, mowers whatever that sit for 2-3 years and start right up. Stored my 1976 T140V for 2 years at my brothers house, started right up . Anyway that is what I do and never had a problem.