The awesomeness that is Seafoam

OddlyOrdinary · November 2nd, 2011, 12:56 PM

So I've had a realization that the previous owner didn't treat the bike as well as I thought he did and have been doing a fair bit of maintenance on it. Yesterday I added 4-5oz of Seafoam to a full tank and have ridden maybe 40 miles.

Wow. Just Wow.

My bike is soo much smoother and sounds much better. I don't think there is too much time left this year that I'll ride for pleasure but I expect to do a real job of cleaning up my bike for next spring when I pull it out of the garage. If you haven't cleaned your carbs recently or have doubts about the previous owner a can of Seafoam costs 6-10$ at a local store, cheaper online.

If you knew a bike had been sitting for a good while, what all would you do for a checklist to get the bike ready again. I currently don't have a garage to tear apart the bike, but plan on it next spring.

CodeProofMonk · November 2nd, 2011, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OddlyOrdinary

Wow. Just Wow.

Yup, that stuff's great! I add some to every tank of gas. It stabilizes your gasoline as well, so if you park the bike for a while the gas won't go bad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OddlyOrdinary

If you knew a bike had been sitting for a good while, what all would you do for a checklist to get the bike ready again. I currently don't have a garage to tear apart the bike, but plan on it next spring.

- Change all fluids
- Check brake function and pads
- Check/replace tires
- Clean & lube chain, or replace if it's in really bad shape
- Check fork seals
- Clean & sync the carbs
(An overnight soak in Pine Sol will amaze you with the results)

str8t six · November 2nd, 2011, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CodeProofMonk

- Clean & sync the carbs
(An overnight soak in Pine Sol will amaze you with the results)

you soak the carbs in pine sol?

what does that do?

str8t six · November 2nd, 2011, 03:05 PM

i was planning on taking the carbs out this winter when i rejet and cleaning them because my bike is breaking up when im just cruising at a slower speed. thanks for the tip!

anything else that would help?

Jono · November 2nd, 2011, 03:05 PM

That's the power of Pine Sol, baby!

Lil_Green_Demon · November 2nd, 2011, 05:22 PM

Seafoam is definitely awesome. I bought a bottle to use in my car. As for my bike, I don't think I've put enough miles on it yet to use Seafoam.

Purspeed · November 2nd, 2011, 06:15 PM

Seafoam is incredible stuff. HOWEVER, be very careful when pouring it directly in your engine. It can cause serious damage in the engine if not used only as a flush.

When adding it to your gas, it's like a miraculous cure.

Most of the rough idle problems seem to stem from stale gas with ethanol.

Jay72 · November 2nd, 2011, 09:06 PM

I see here in Canada at Canadian Tire there are a few different Seafoam products, which one do you use as a fuel stabilizer/treatment?

Here is the link.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/search/se...08474396672077

Purspeed · November 2nd, 2011, 09:07 PM

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en

Jay72 · November 2nd, 2011, 10:12 PM

Thank you sir, that is what I thought it was...no do you all suggest to use Seafoam instead of Stabil??? For winter storage?

Purspeed · November 2nd, 2011, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay72

Thank you sir, that is what I thought it was...no do you all suggest to use Seafoam instead of Stabil??? For winter storage?

I have in my Yamaha R6. It starts perfectly every single time and has been in storage for about a year. It's fuel injected.

However, carbs are a different animal and those needles clog up quick.

Some have suggested Seafoam for storage. Personally, I would drain the tank after running some Seafoam if you are up to the task (not difficult). That's the textbook way to store a bike.

You can also do a bit of searching on the forums and decide which one will work better for storage.

k-os · November 3rd, 2011, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purspeed

I have in my Yamaha R6. It starts perfectly every single time and has been in storage for about a year. It's fuel injected.

However, carbs are a different animal and those needles clog up quick.

Some have suggested Seafoam for storage. Personally, I would drain the tank after running some Seafoam if you are up to the task (not difficult). That's the textbook way to store a bike.

You can also do a bit of searching on the forums and decide which one will work better for storage.

Gas tanks should be stored full to minimize the amount of condensation that can build up inside them and start the rusting process.

bob706 · November 3rd, 2011, 07:51 AM

http://www.seafoamsales.com/componen...2/view,folder/

I have used seafoam and it may "work" but I wouldn't store a bike with it in the tank. 10-20% ipa is a bit much

Jay72 · November 3rd, 2011, 08:34 AM

ahhh, I got ya, thanks for the tip, so I will just use Stabil. Or would a no name stabilizer work also? AS in the Canadian tire brand one?

rockNroll · November 3rd, 2011, 09:42 AM

Seafoam has placebo affect. Your bike thinks it's getting good fuel treatment and so is tricked into running better. In reality, you still need to remove and clean your carbs

blink · November 3rd, 2011, 09:55 AM

you have a riding season in texas?

Lil_Green_Demon · November 3rd, 2011, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blink

you have a riding season in texas?

Some parts of Texas have wild, unpredictable weather. It can be hot and humid one day to suddenly being cold as hell & snowing the next.

Boom King · November 3rd, 2011, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay72

ahhh, I got ya, thanks for the tip, so I will just use Stabil. Or would a no name stabilizer work also? AS in the Canadian tire brand one?

Go with the brand name Sta-Bil Marine formula for the few extra dollars. Also found at your local Crappy Tire.

OddlyOrdinary · November 3rd, 2011, 06:05 PM

Texas has plenty of frozen weather, especially around February. As I still drive my SUV for most outings especially if any alcohol is involved, the bike is purely for joy riding and errands. I don't fancy the idea of freezing weather + 50mph winds on the bike. It's just not the reason I own one.

Jay72 · November 3rd, 2011, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boom King

Go with the brand name Sta-Bil Marine formula for the few extra dollars. Also found at your local Crappy Tire.

Thanks and that is what I was thinking for the 3 extra bucks...

blink · November 4th, 2011, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil_Green_Demon

Some parts of Texas have wild, unpredictable weather. It can be hot and humid one day to suddenly being cold as hell & snowing the next.

Hmmm i never knew that.
I guess maybe the North East part more?

November 2nd, 2011, 12:56 PM	#1
OddlyOrdinary ninjette.org member Name: Asdf Location: A Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 SE Ninja 250 Posts: 83	The awesomeness that is Seafoam So I've had a realization that the previous owner didn't treat the bike as well as I thought he did and have been doing a fair bit of maintenance on it. Yesterday I added 4-5oz of Seafoam to a full tank and have ridden maybe 40 miles. Wow. Just Wow. My bike is soo much smoother and sounds much better. I don't think there is too much time left this year that I'll ride for pleasure but I expect to do a real job of cleaning up my bike for next spring when I pull it out of the garage. If you haven't cleaned your carbs recently or have doubts about the previous owner a can of Seafoam costs 6-10$ at a local store, cheaper online. If you knew a bike had been sitting for a good while, what all would you do for a checklist to get the bike ready again. I currently don't have a garage to tear apart the bike, but plan on it next spring.

November 2nd, 2011, 03:05 PM	#4
str8t six never enough Name: josh Location: michigan Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): Blue 2010 ninja 250R Posts: 277	i was planning on taking the carbs out this winter when i rejet and cleaning them because my bike is breaking up when im just cruising at a slower speed. thanks for the tip! anything else that would help? __________________________________________________ custom graphics, zero gravity DB

November 2nd, 2011, 05:22 PM	#6
Lil_Green_Demon Winging It In Life Name: Umar Location: SoCal Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250R; 2011 250R (sold) Posts: A lot.	Seafoam is definitely awesome. I bought a bottle to use in my car. As for my bike, I don't think I've put enough miles on it yet to use Seafoam. __________________________________________________ 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250R (Bought - Apr 22, 2011; Sold - Feb 17, 2015) 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R (Bought - May 01, 2017; Current)

November 2nd, 2011, 06:15 PM	#7
Purspeed ninjette.org guru Name: Purspeed Location: Los Angeles, CA Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: 469	Seafoam is incredible stuff. HOWEVER, be very careful when pouring it directly in your engine. It can cause serious damage in the engine if not used only as a flush. When adding it to your gas, it's like a miraculous cure. Most of the rough idle problems seem to stem from stale gas with ethanol. __________________________________________________ "This is my Ninja. There are many like it, but this one is mine..." ~ Purspeed (ca. Nov, 2008)

November 2nd, 2011, 09:07 PM	#9
Purspeed ninjette.org guru Name: Purspeed Location: Los Angeles, CA Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: 469	http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en __________________________________________________ "This is my Ninja. There are many like it, but this one is mine..." ~ Purspeed (ca. Nov, 2008)

November 2nd, 2011, 03:05 PM	#5
Jono ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jono Location: Memphis, TN Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Triumph Street Triple, 2009 KLX250SF, 2003 Suzuki SV650S (Sold), 2006 Ninja 250 (Sold) Posts: A lot.	That's the power of Pine Sol, baby!

November 2nd, 2011, 09:06 PM	#8
Jay72 ninjette.org member Name: Jay Location: St. Marys, Ontario, Canada Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 169	I see here in Canada at Canadian Tire there are a few different Seafoam products, which one do you use as a fuel stabilizer/treatment? Here is the link. http://www.canadiantire.ca/search/se...08474396672077

November 2nd, 2011, 10:12 PM	#10
Jay72 ninjette.org member Name: Jay Location: St. Marys, Ontario, Canada Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 169	Thank you sir, that is what I thought it was...no do you all suggest to use Seafoam instead of Stabil??? For winter storage?

November 3rd, 2011, 07:51 AM	#13
bob706 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Mary Esther, FL Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 1998 HD Road King Posts: A lot.	http://www.seafoamsales.com/componen...2/view,folder/ I have used seafoam and it may "work" but I wouldn't store a bike with it in the tank. 10-20% ipa is a bit much __________________________________________________ http://sandollarmotorcycleclub.com/

November 3rd, 2011, 08:34 AM	#14
Jay72 ninjette.org member Name: Jay Location: St. Marys, Ontario, Canada Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 169	ahhh, I got ya, thanks for the tip, so I will just use Stabil. Or would a no name stabilizer work also? AS in the Canadian tire brand one?

November 3rd, 2011, 09:42 AM	#15
rockNroll . Name: rock Location: greenville, south carolina Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): black Posts: A lot.	Seafoam has placebo affect. Your bike thinks it's getting good fuel treatment and so is tricked into running better. In reality, you still need to remove and clean your carbs __________________________________________________ Always get a second opinion because most of these people are makin' this stuff up

November 3rd, 2011, 09:55 AM	#16
blink Always. Name: Alex Location: Calgary, AB Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, '05 GSX-R600 Posts: A lot.	you have a riding season in texas? __________________________________________________ blink-182

November 3rd, 2011, 06:05 PM	#19
OddlyOrdinary ninjette.org member Name: Asdf Location: A Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 SE Ninja 250 Posts: 83	Texas has plenty of frozen weather, especially around February. As I still drive my SUV for most outings especially if any alcohol is involved, the bike is purely for joy riding and errands. I don't fancy the idea of freezing weather + 50mph winds on the bike. It's just not the reason I own one.

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