Winter fuel in the tank

[steveindenmark]

Quite often we get concerned readers asking about what we do with the fuel in our tanks over the winter and the replies are always varied.

I have just finished my tank of winter fuel. I fill the bike up to the top in October and it stays in an unheated wooden garage in Scandanavia, where it is known to get cold. I do not add anything to the petrol.

At the beginning of March I ride the bike. Using the winter tank of fuel has not been a problem, the bike has run like a dream.

The reason for the thread is just to tell you not to worry about leaving the fuel in the tank over winter BUT fill it right to the top before you leave it for the winter as this will stop the inside of the tank from rusting.

Steve

 

[Fz6Sa]

Quite often we get concerned readers asking about what we do with the fuel in our tanks over the winter and the replies are always varied.

I have just finished my tank of winter fuel. I fill the bike up to the top in October and it stays in an unheated wooden garage in Scandanavia, where it is known to get cold. I do not add anything to the petrol.

At the beginning of March I ride the bike. Using the winter tank of fuel has not been a problem, the bike has run like a dream.

The reason for the thread is just to tell you not to worry about leaving the fuel in the tank over winter BUT fill it right to the top before you leave it for the winter as this will stop the inside of the tank from rusting.

Steve

I follow this procedure as well, - except that I keep the bike in a heated room of the house for the winter.
I also experience absolutely no hiccups/issues with this.

 

[Ashbone]

Quite often we get concerned readers asking about what we do with the fuel in our tanks over the winter and the replies are always varied.

I have just finished my tank of winter fuel. I fill the bike up to the top in October and it stays in an unheated wooden garage in Scandanavia, where it is known to get cold. I do not add anything to the petrol.

At the beginning of March I ride the bike. Using the winter tank of fuel has not been a problem, the bike has run like a dream.

The reason for the thread is just to tell you not to worry about leaving the fuel in the tank over winter BUT fill it right to the top before you leave it for the winter as this will stop the inside of the tank from rusting.

Steve

Same as that, BC gets pretty chilly but up to the brim and a drop of stabiliser to boot, no issues with rust or not running.
I have always had a boat and I do the same with that although the amount of fuel I put in that $300 plus would run my 6 all season!!

 

[Fz6Sa]

but up to the brim and a drop of stabiliser to boot, no issues with rust or not running.

Thats part of the point, - neither Steve nor me uses stabilizer ....,- and we run trouble free!

 

[Sawblade]

I went though a few tanks of fuel during winter, so i think I'm good.

 

[Ashbone]

Thats part of the point, - neither Steve nor me uses stabilizer ....,- and we run trouble free!

Just habit mate from my boating days, the frickin lawnmower starts no matter what I do!!LOL

 

[regder]

My bike sleeps for maybe four/five months out of the year, I doubt fuel stabilizer does anything during that time frame but I still use it for the peace of mind, just a personal thing. Probably 100% placebo, but my bike also seems to run better once I go through the winter tank of gas and put some fresh gas in it

Also I remember hearing that fuel stabilizer itself destabilizes (hehe ) after a year or so if the bottle has been opened

 

[Ashbone]

My bike sleeps for maybe four/five months out of the year, I doubt fuel stabilizer does anything during that time frame but I still use it for the peace of mind, just a personal thing. Probably 100% placebo, but my bike also seems to run better once I go through the winter tank of gas and put some fresh gas in it

Also I remember hearing that fuel stabilizer itself destabilizes (hehe ) after a year or so if the bottle has been opened

I get the fresh stuff for nothing so no harm or cost,:thumbup: everyone to there own, I know guys that run it empty, not a good idea IMO but as they say "nothing happens till something happens"

 

[steveindenmark]

Just habit mate from my boating days, the frickin lawnmower starts no matter what I do!!LOL

I suppose having a can of it in the shed makes you think "Sod it why not" and drop a bit in the tank.

Steve

 

[Ashbone]

I suppose having a can of it in the shed makes you think "Sod it why not" and drop a bit in the tank.

Steve

Exactly no worries:rockon:

 

[D-Mac]

Fuel stabilizer does work, but with our FI bikes it likely makes little difference unless you leave it sitting for a long, long time (likely more than a year or two).

Carbs on the other hand can get pretty gunked up.

For the record, I use stabilizer. None of my friends do and their bikes seem to start fine in the spring.