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Putting to bed for the winter

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Charliecharlcomb:
It's getting close to the time when I want to mothball my CB500 for the winter. I've never really done this properly before (apart from the occasional charge to the battery) and wondered what everyone's thoughts were on draining carbs/tank etc. especially with so much ethanol being in the fuel.

Years of lack of safeguarding finally caught up with me this year and it took ages to get to the bottom of some elusive carb problems but now I've got it running beautifully I'\d like to keep it that way.

Any tips would be welcomed.

deltarider:
I have tried both methods. I have had carbs drained dry for a whole winter (7 months max) and carbs wet. The latter method has never given a problem, be it that the last years I have drained the bowls, say every two months and then let them refill. This as a precaution; we all know the characteristics of gasoline have changed and not for the best. The two winters I had left the carbs dry, were no success: on opening the petcock the next spring, I had leakages which luckily later cured themselves as soon as the O-rings had swollen again. Also I have had sticking or not closing float valve needles. All in all I have concluded that the natural state of our carbs is wet, which has proved best for the rubbers. Just refresh the gas in the floatbowls every two months and you may also apply the trick to clear the jets: with the bowls empty and the slides down, crank the engine a few times and let the pistons create underpressure to clear the jets. So far it has saved me the trouble to unscrew and clean jets separately. A fuel system cleaner additive can work well, as long there's still an opening. I have never needed a stabilizer. I find what I read in the latters advertisements grossly exaggerated. If you really think you need one, choose the cheapest. It will be the brand that hasn't advertised. ;D

SteveD CB500K0:
This time last year (I think) there was a discussion on this that extended all the way to vehicle cocoons.


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beardylondon:
Surely just starting it up every few weeks and letting it run until warm is enough?

deltarider:

--- Quote from: beardylondon on December 04, 2021, 11:23:37 AM ---Surely just starting it up every few weeks and letting it run until warm is enough?

--- End quote ---
Every cold start causes more wear than 200-300 km of riding. Moreover these bikes are coldblooded, so it will take quite some time the engine will be warm enough. Personally I do not start my bike unless the ride is for at least 25 minutes or 40 km. Some cannot resist the temptation to start the engine in winter from time to time. It will result in condens in the oil and it will wet the inside of the exhausts > oxydation.
Better: simply crank the engine from time to time in wintertime, preferably with the floatbowls drained.
Recharge battery when voltage over the terminals drops to 12,4V. You could inflate the tires with a few PSI more. I have to agitate the rear shock (Koni's) say every two months to prevent the rubbers inside will dry out. Bike is in the garage, uncovered.

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