Fuel Question
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,179
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From: Southern California
Fuel Question
Due to some health issues I won't be able to ride for a few weeks. I have the bike on a battery tender but was wondering if I need to put some fuel stabilizer in the tank or not? If so, what brand would you use?
Thanks in advance...and BTW..Happy Thanksgiving to all....
Thanks in advance...and BTW..Happy Thanksgiving to all....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 1
From: pottsville,pa
How many is a few weeks? Gas with the 10% ethanol can start to break down in as little as 3 weeks. If your looking at 2-3 than I wouldn't worry about it but any longer I would put in some sta-bil.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Honah Lee
Never use it
Never use it. Long as it does not sit over 4-5 months it will be OK. My bike seldom sits over a few months but my riding lawn mower sits 5 months and all I do is try to make sure tank is below half to add fresh gas. If I do not catch it does not appear to hurt anything even with the new gas with 10% ethanol. Been doing it this way 40+ years and I do all my own work. Think I know what I am talking about. My 12HP Sears mower was used in 1989 when I got it. Kept a 69 Firebird 10 year sitting till my son and I restored it and it did not hurt carb. Still ran when we got to it. Hope you are filling well soon.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Nov 23, 2010 at 11:37 AM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
These days, fuel has so many additives and stabilizers and cleaners in it....I don't bother anymore. Versus 20-30 years ago...fuel would "go bad" over a period of time. Even with my boats..which I winterize, I just top off the tank. In the spring..fire right up just fine.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,593
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From: Honah Lee
Stonecat
I think Stonecats right but I think one of the biggest things that has helped is that especially your CA bike has a completely sealed system that only allows air in when running and prevents the gas from evaporating. I've see bad gas that has set open in a jar and it gets thick.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Nov 23, 2010 at 11:58 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 265
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From: Wild West
Gas is better now than it was 20 years ago, but it still breaks down over time.
If it's going to be more than 3 or 4 weeks before you will be able to burn up most of the the old fuel and refill with fresh gas then you should use a stabilizer.
I prefer SeaFoam or Stabil. Add it to the tank, fill up, and then let the bike run at least 5 minutes before storing it.
If it's going to be more than 3 or 4 weeks before you will be able to burn up most of the the old fuel and refill with fresh gas then you should use a stabilizer.
I prefer SeaFoam or Stabil. Add it to the tank, fill up, and then let the bike run at least 5 minutes before storing it.