Fuel for a bike that sees little use

[Luke87]

Hi guys. Apologies if this subject has been covered before. I've done a fair bit of searching but haven't found the exact answer I'm looking for.

I've got a cb550 that I bought from James on here nearly two years ago. Regrettably it's been a fairly slow project so far and still isn't registered yet. (US import)
I've just had the carbs refurbed by Gerben as they were in a pretty sorry state internally.
Gerben has warned against the use of fuel containing ethanol but it's my understanding that all fuel is required to contain at least 5% ethanol by law now as of this year.
I'm just worried that as the bike isn't being used yet that if I fit them and get the bike running that the fuel will ruin them again as it's not going to get regular use at the moment.
Is draining the bowls enough to stop them gumming up?

What do you good people do with your bikes fuel wise? Thanks. Luke.

[BigAl (Alan)]

During the winter months I fill all the tanks to the very top and periodically (1-2 months) start them to clear the float bowls. Providing the batteries are fully charged, I have no problems. I use the kick start as they are a bit 'lumpy' in the cold. All filled with E5 petrol and no additives.

[mike the bike]

In the winter I do the exact opposite.   I drain everything,  including the float bowls.  And leave the filler cap open so the tank dries out - not just the petrol but any water that's collected there.  It always starts first prod in the spring once filled with fresh juice.

[BigAl (Alan)]

In the winter I do the exact opposite.   I drain everything,  including the float bowls.  And leave the filler cap open so the tank dries out - not just the petrol but any water that's collected there.  It always starts first prod in the spring once filled with fresh juice.

I can understand that. I think that condensation in a half filled tank/float bowls is the problem over the winter.
I also have a XL500s (no elec/start) which I use on clear days over the winter months, I'm always surprised that it starts 2nd/3rd kick on a 6 volt battery.

[Trigger]

Hi guys. Apologies if this subject has been covered before. I've done a fair bit of searching but haven't found the exact answer I'm looking for.

I've got a cb550 that I bought from James on here nearly two years ago. Regrettably it's been a fairly slow project so far and still isn't registered yet. (US import)
I've just had the carbs refurbed by Gerben as they were in a pretty sorry state internally.
Gerben has warned against the use of fuel containing ethanol but it's my understanding that all fuel is required to contain at least 5% ethanol by law now as of this year.
I'm just worried that as the bike isn't being used yet that if I fit them and get the bike running that the fuel will ruin them again as it's not going to get regular use at the moment.
Is draining the bowls enough to stop them gumming up?

What do you good people do with your bikes fuel wise? Thanks. Luke.

If Gerben rebuilt the carbs, he would of used Viton seals so, everything should be good.

[Luke87]

So you wouldn't bother going to the trouble of running the bike on fuel with the ethanol removed by the likes of one of those ethanil kits? I did look into them but it seems a bit of a faff.
Would running the bike on good quality non supermarket fuel then draining the bowls be enough then?

[Nurse Julie]

I have been running my CB400/4 on supermarket fuel for years. She is off the road for 6 months over winter every year, I leave the fuel in the tank, don't drain the carbs and she starts no problem on last years fuel each spring. Also, we have a CB750 here that sat in a coal shed for 8 years (not my coal shed) fired up no problem and didn't miss a beat on 8 year old fuel !!

[totty]

Whenever fuel is left in a float bowl most will evaporate leaving behind some residue.
How much builds up depends on how many cycles of this you put it through.
How much of a problem the build up causes depends on where it builds up, how small channels/jets are, and how easily accessible it is to remove.
If you're not going to run it at all it would be better to drain but probably doesn't matter much as you're only going to evaporate off one bowl full, if you're going to run it occasionally I'd drain or run dry each time.
What can really mess the carbs up is a petcock that slowly leaks so check it.
Ethanol also corrodes some metals, but as far as I'm aware it doesn't seem to be a big issue for our carbs.
The tank as already mentioned is about avoiding condensation, temperature changes draw air in and the water from it condenses and sinks below the fuel. A full tank leaves less air space.

[deltarider]

There are many rumours about ethanol in fuel that, once echoed over and over again in the fora on the internet, become 'truths'. That's why I translated an excellent article on this by an expert on fuels from German into English. You may find it an useful read.

[BigAl (Alan)]

Excellent read Deltarider, many thanks for posting. It seems that E10 in petrol  is NOT the end of our biking world.

Heavy going read though, as the terminology is degree + level...'resin-like precipitates'...that's gum or varnish in the carbs to many of us on here.

[Seabeowner]

Yes, interesting read Delta. Just the thought of new/change to many is bad news. Remember, the furore when lead was phased out or catalytic converters arrived. I am open minded and try to absorb all the info, even if a lot of the chemistry is beyond me.
In the US they are very uptight about ethanol and just about blamed for anything. The fuel they served up years ago was far worse from the state of the carbs on many US imports here.
I have some STA-BIL that I was persuaded to buy, but probably a waste of money.