winter storage, petrol

[Mustafa]

Hi all,

I have to store my AT for about 4 months and, not wanting to drain the petrol tank, am wondering whether I can get away with not adding a fuel stabilizer. Here in Croatia they don't seem to know what a fuel stablizer is, whereas in America it is quite common to use such a product for boats, lawn mowers, or anything else with an engine that will get stored for the winter.

So, anyone think I need to worry about the petrol getting thick and gummy over 4 months.

Thanks, Mike

[africatijn]

I don't think 4 months will be a big problem. I've kept fuel for longer than that. Draining the carbs can be good idea.

What is important, is to top the tank up, this leaves less room for air to start rust in the tank.

T.

[Fatjohn]

I had to leave my bike for 6 months once - full tank, drained carb's and she started on the third flick of the button when I returned to her. Mind you, I did put red-ex in before hand but I don't know how useful that stuff is these days given all the other chemicals that are already in the fuel.

[wheeliebin]

Silkone do 'pro FST' (or something like that) for the European market, fuel system cleaner/treatment that also stops fuel from going off and gumming the carbs.

[iswoolley]

I'd go for filling the tank, turning the fuel tap off, and running the engine until it stalls. 4 months shouldn't be a problem.

[icenian]

Silkone do 'pro FST' (or something like that) for the European market, fuel system cleaner/treatment that also stops fuel from going off and gumming the carbs.

Also a superb cure of carb icing. A great thing to carry (so long as you don't mind a half litre of extremely explosive chemicals in your top box ) in winter in case you get caught in cold and damp conditions.

Then again, the AT seems fairly resistant to carb icing?

[robelst]

I'd just empty the float chambers. It tastes really nasty but goes down reasonably well with some blue Stilton

BTW: Carb icing does not seem to be an issue on ATs. I remember the very first Transalps suffered from it which was resolved with some Teflon coating Never understood how that could help but it seems it does.

[icenian]

the very first Transalps suffered from [carb icing] which was resolved with some Teflon coating Never understood how that could help but it seems it does.

First time I've heard of non-stick carbs

I guess it just prevents the ice sticking. Ice crystals will still form, I imagine, but if they are really small and get sucked into the combustion chamber there won't be any problem.

Same principle cleaning visor to prevent it misting up - if there's no dirt, there's nothing for water droplets to form on. (Trouble is it has to be really clean, and though I've managed that, it never stays clean for more than about 5 miles!)

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Funny, I too have never heard of carb icing being a problem on these motors.

How come 650 Alps have electric carb heaters

Phil

[robelst]

How come 650 Alps have electric carb heaters

Status symbol?

Maybe the inlet / airbox on the TA650 is better optimised to keep the air cool compared to the other TA/AT's? (which is usually a good thing, in the rest of the year)