Hi All, As some of you may know, I also own a 1993 Honda Fireblade. This old lady doesn't get ridden that much but I carefully store it when it's going to be laid-up. I used to religiously drain the carbs using the drain screws but they're a bugger to get to so I came up with a different idea: Basically, I just turn off the fuel, take bike for short spin and then run for another minute until engine won't run and won't start at all i.e no fuel in carbs. What do you mechanics out there think of this technique? Is it reasonable or should I persevere with the drain-screw approach? Thanks for any advice! FBB
I do the same with my rgv,I have a set distance from my house that I turn the fuel tap off and when I get home I put the bike on a paddock stand and wipe it down with the motor running,I can hear the engine note change as it leans out and I turn the engine off,only takes two kicks to prime and start when needed,saves cleaning gummed up jets all the time,modern fuels are shit and "go off" very quick !
I do the same with my Pantah and have done this with various bikes for years. Just turn off the fuel and run the bike until it stops. Any remaining fuel is below the level of the pilot jets so they won't bung up with gum. On many carbs (Dellorto, Amal,etc) the main jet will still have fuel around it but I've never found that a problem.
Yes run it with the fuel off until it stops, but I wouldn't be taking it out for a short ride with the fuel off unless you want to push it back. I usually run the Guzzi dry when I get back as it's not used that often and the carbs have a tendency to leak if left on so I just stop outside the garage, switch the fuel off and whilst I open the door etc. leave it running - it doesn't take long to use what's in the carbs. My Monster has carbs but a bit more tricky to run them dry as I have to turn off the electric fuel pump and shutoff valve which involves lifting the tank and pulling out the fuse so I only do it when I know it won't be used for some time - suppose I could fit a switch but never felt the need
thats fine do it with all my old bikes, should stop sticking floats and leaks as well, for ong time no use get all fuel out of tank and put wd40 in it to stop and rust build up then flush with fuel before use again
It won't stop the carb jets gumming up. Fuel left in the float bowls will evaporate leaving a gummy residue.
i was forced to use this technique on an aprillia i had for a few years from new. every time it was left for more than5-6days it wouldn't restart unless i drained the carbs first.
I wasn't sure on bikes. I used to put the snow blower away with fuel and a stabiliser once the summer had started then all it took was a fresh battery and spark plug when the winter came back. I suppose the blower being more agricultural and less eu friendly was dinosaur technology in comparison.
Yup! 1993 twin headlight RRP model. Had it since brand new and prob wont’t ever sell it now. Used to tour Europe on it when my neck bones were younger! It’s still way too fast for me!
Thanks everyone. Seems i’m not alone in this method and no dire warnings of disaster so I’ll carry on!
Great looking blade, sold mine due to the same neck bone/wrist bone issues, wish I hadn’t, should’ve just ridden it less often, nothing wrong with doing what you’re doing, belt and braces would be to add fuel stabiliser to the fuel before you run it down.
