Winterizing the Bike. Full Tank of Gas Or Empty ? - Page 2

karlosdajackal · October 12th, 2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdajackal

isn't the ninjas tank plastic? plastic don't rust last i checked

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

not here. there?

Quote:

Originally Posted by karlosdajackal

I remember reading it was here, but i can't find it now, guess i'll grab a magnet and go check it out later today.

Yea its metal, checked my tire pressures and there is a magnet on pressure gauge. It stuck like a champ to the tank. Still looks to me like the inside of the tank is painted or coated, it appears to be white/cream colored inside rather than bare metal.

adouglas · October 12th, 2009, 12:53 PM

Beat me to it.

As the engine cools off and passes the dew point whatever moisture is present will condense. If you get the engine good and hot that moisture will have all been blown out the breather and the tailpipe as vapor. If you don't get it hot enough it just recondenses.

This is why your car spews steam out the tailpipe when it first starts up but not after it's been running awhile.

subiegy2010 · November 1st, 2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syphen

Tank full, do not use Sta-bil. Use Seafoam. It works MUCH MUCH better. Pour half a can in to the gas tank, fill tank up and let bike run for 10 - 15 minutes. Get it in the carbs and such. Park the bike where you plan on storing it and fill the tank to the very brim.

Any air inside the tank can carry humidity and cause surface rust inside your tank. Surface rust is very very bad for carbs. I had the issue with my CBR250 this year. A tiny piece of rust clogged one of my pilot jets and cause the bike to run like crap.

Wouldn't half a can be a bit much? According to the can, we would need to use ~1/3 a can for our 4.5gallon tank. Also, would it be better to let the bike idle for 10-15 minutes or actually ride it, or does it not matter?

AnarchoMoltov · November 1st, 2009, 08:06 PM

That's why I love FI, add some seafoam to the fuel, throw a battery tender on it, and those 35 degree + days we occasionally have during the winter, I can start the bike right up, and go for a ride.....

ScorpionNinja · November 2nd, 2009, 03:50 PM

Sta-Bil says: To Mix 1 oz. of Sta-bil, with every 2.5 gallons of gasoline.

so 4.8 gal/tank, i just did 2 oz's

ScorpionNinja · November 2nd, 2009, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subiegy2010

Wouldn't half a can be a bit much? According to the can, we would need to use ~1/3 a can for our 4.5gallon tank. Also, would it be better to let the bike idle for 10-15 minutes or actually ride it, or does it not matter?

I just let my bike Idle for 8 mins. (with sta-bil & gas all mixed up and FULL)

As long as the gasoline has been Mixed with Sta-bil, and ran long enuff to be able to flow through & FILL up those Float bowls, all shall be well!

You can Drain your carbs float bowls if you want, but i dont think it really matters much.

Well see come late March 2010 - April 2010!

Stay Tuned...

subiegy2010 · November 2nd, 2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScorpionNinja

You can Drain your carbs float bowls if you want, but i dont think it really matters much.

I don't think it matters too much either so I'll just leave it.

Seafoam says to use 1oz per gallon. I had almost a full tank (a couple notches lower on the gauge) and dumped in ~half the can, which was probably a bit too much. I needed to warm up the chain anyway so I could clean and lube it so I went for a 10 minute ride and filled it up to the brim when I got back.

adouglas · November 2nd, 2009, 05:16 PM

Scorpion, did you use the blue/green Sta-Bil (marine) or the red/pink stuff?

There's an ethanol issue, according to reports.

I've noted that most of the motorcycle dealers around here stock the marine version. The big-box home improvement stores (e.g. Home Despot) stock only the red stuff.

I just treated my last operational tank with the stuff and rode it. Then I topped it off and added enough marine Sta-Bil to get the concentration close to right.

gnfreak · November 3rd, 2009, 08:50 AM

last year we filled the tank and had the original sta-bil in it. drained the bowls pulled the battery inside the house and let the bike sit. started up ok in the spring. i used the original sta-bil in all the toys and mowers with no problems with the ethanol gas but think i will buy the marine stuff this year just for piece of mind. besides i have had a big bottle of the original for a few years and i'm not sure if this stuff ever gets less effective. i'll keep this stuff around for the snowblowers and the snowmobile during the summer.

adouglas · November 3rd, 2009, 08:52 AM

Label on the bottle says it's good for two years after you open it.

gnfreak · November 3rd, 2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adouglas

Label on the bottle says it's good for two years after you open it.

let me get this straight...you are suppose to READ the label??
thanks for pointing it out. now what to do with expired sta-bil.

adouglas · November 3rd, 2009, 12:23 PM

I'm sure it'll burn just fine. Chuck it in your car.

subiegy2010 · November 3rd, 2009, 01:47 PM

Is it bad if I put a bit too much Seafoam in the tank? I put in a little over half the 16oz can when I think you're really only supposed to do about 5oz.

250fan · November 3rd, 2009, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg_E

There are a couple places around here that will pump 100+ leaded fuel from a drum for you, again catering to the racers that are still allowed to use the leaded fuel. More common is the 100+ unleaded race fuels which also come from the 55 gallon drums. For while there was an independent station that had 100+ on the actual pump.

Also you can go get super expensive av-gas from the airport.

Actually Avgas (100 Low Lead or 100LL as its printed on the pumps) isn't that expensive.....3.99/gal in some locations. But im sure the lead in the fuel will have fun with the stock catalytic converter on the bike.

Snake · November 3rd, 2009, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subiegy2010

Is it bad if I put a bit too much Seafoam in the tank? I put in a little over half the 16oz can when I think you're really only supposed to do about 5oz.

It won't hurt anything but you will notice a loss in power due to the higher concentration. When the season starts again I would ride the bike until you are down to a half tank and then refill the tank.

subiegy2010 · November 3rd, 2009, 04:48 PM

I'll probably just drain the bike and put that gas in the lawnmower or car.

Snake · November 3rd, 2009, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subiegy2010

I'll probably just drain the bike and put that gas in the lawnmower or car.

Put the gas in the car as the concentration will be too high for the lawnmower.

November 3rd, 2009, 08:50 AM	#49
gnfreak ninjette.org member Name: keith Location: central, illinois Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 1980 Kawasaki Z1-G1 Classic, 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 39	last year we filled the tank and had the original sta-bil in it. drained the bowls pulled the battery inside the house and let the bike sit. started up ok in the spring. i used the original sta-bil in all the toys and mowers with no problems with the ethanol gas but think i will buy the marine stuff this year just for piece of mind. besides i have had a big bottle of the original for a few years and i'm not sure if this stuff ever gets less effective. i'll keep this stuff around for the snowblowers and the snowmobile during the summer. __________________________________________________ Keith LaCombe Normal, IL 1980 Kawasaki Z1-G1 Classic

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October 12th, 2009, 12:53 PM	#42
adouglas Cat herder Name: Gort Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 6 MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13	Beat me to it. As the engine cools off and passes the dew point whatever moisture is present will condense. If you get the engine good and hot that moisture will have all been blown out the breather and the tailpipe as vapor. If you don't get it hot enough it just recondenses. This is why your car spews steam out the tailpipe when it first starts up but not after it's been running awhile.

November 1st, 2009, 08:06 PM	#44
AnarchoMoltov ninjette.org guru Name: Dan Location: Chicago, il.... Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Suzuki GSX-R750 Posts: 378	That's why I love FI, add some seafoam to the fuel, throw a battery tender on it, and those 35 degree + days we occasionally have during the winter, I can start the bike right up, and go for a ride.....

November 2nd, 2009, 03:50 PM	#45
ScorpionNinja ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Dave Location: Michigan Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 650RTE & 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R (SOLD) Posts: A lot.	Sta-Bil says: To Mix 1 oz. of Sta-bil, with every 2.5 gallons of gasoline. so 4.8 gal/tank, i just did 2 oz's

November 2nd, 2009, 05:16 PM	#48
adouglas Cat herder Name: Gort Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 6 MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13	Scorpion, did you use the blue/green Sta-Bil (marine) or the red/pink stuff? There's an ethanol issue, according to reports. I've noted that most of the motorcycle dealers around here stock the marine version. The big-box home improvement stores (e.g. Home Despot) stock only the red stuff. I just treated my last operational tank with the stuff and rode it. Then I topped it off and added enough marine Sta-Bil to get the concentration close to right.

November 3rd, 2009, 08:52 AM	#50
adouglas Cat herder Name: Gort Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 6 MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13	Label on the bottle says it's good for two years after you open it.

November 3rd, 2009, 12:23 PM	#52
adouglas Cat herder Name: Gort Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 6 MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13	I'm sure it'll burn just fine. Chuck it in your car.

November 3rd, 2009, 01:47 PM	#53
subiegy2010 noob in training Name: Ilya Location: Milwaukee, WI Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250R (sold) '05 SV650S Posts: 175	Is it bad if I put a bit too much Seafoam in the tank? I put in a little over half the 16oz can when I think you're really only supposed to do about 5oz.

November 3rd, 2009, 04:48 PM	#56
subiegy2010 noob in training Name: Ilya Location: Milwaukee, WI Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250R (sold) '05 SV650S Posts: 175	I'll probably just drain the bike and put that gas in the lawnmower or car.