Noob storage (?) question

[old4x4]

I just read the Storageology thread as well as my Clymer manual regarding pre storage steps.
Here's my question, If the bike is run (idled) for 20 or 30 min once a week during the long, cold New England winter, do I still need to do all this stuff? I figure as long as all the juices flow and the bike is brought up to temp for a while every week or 2 like I do with my generator, then is there a problem?? I put the Blue Sta-bil in every one of my small engines all year incl my (new to me) 03 750 ACE that I got in Feb.

[Spirit_1100]

Hey Old,

You let the bike idle for 20 minutes and one of the times, the bike won't start. The charging system doesn't kick in until about 2000 rpms. So, you won't be charging your battery at idle. Either a trickle charger or letting it run at a higher rpm would solve that problem.

Joe

[HRCguru]

Storage is probably the single most discussed topic next to "oil" , and everyone has an opinion . The multiple steps which most manuals give certainly won't hurt and are great for long term storage (i.e. 1 year plus) , but are not required for winter storage . I have been doing the same thing for 32 years and have never had a problem . Change oil/filter , check that coolant is 50/50 , wash/wax bike , oil chain , remove battery if you get temps like here in Canada (-35*C and lower) and charge every month , or put it on a bike-specific charger , cover bike and let her sleep until Spring . You are doing more harm by starting it periodically b/c such idling only promotes condensation inside the motor .

[snowy.vtwin]

fwiw, I've never put anything in my gas or oil and have never had an issue with boat (mercruiser), bike, lawnmower, chainsaw, ice auger .... engines. I just make sure the tank is full of fresh gas to avoid possible condensation. If they started and ran good when shut down they will do likewise 5 months later.

I keep my engines well maintained, maybe older or neglected engines are a different case. I'm 62yrs old and have been doing this forever with no problems. If the gas is fresh there should be no trouble over a 5 month storage. Most of the starting problems I read about that are not due to an old battery include comments about the additives they have used to try and prevent problems. Maybe if I were in a different (warmer) climate it would be different. None of my friends here use additives either.

[Old Wild Bill]

I have used stabil on and off for 30 years for my 5 months of winter. I really can't see any advantage to using it. A couple of years I tried Carb and Fuel Injection cleaner and it seemed to work ok. It is more important to store with a full tank of fresh gas.

[old4x4]

Originally Posted by HRCguru

You are doing more harm by starting it periodically b/c such idling only promotes condensation inside the motor .

As I understand it, condensation will occur only IF the engine is not brought up to and maintained at operating temp......like my truck on its 1 mile commute. Condensation promotes sludge with dino oils. I don't use them. Of course, this info is from an auto repair show I listen to once a week and may only be that mechanic's opinion. I'm not a mechanic.

[Eldorado]

I put Stabil in the tank, fill up with gas, give it a 6 mile run home, put the battery tender on it, now with the Sabre and when the weather is really cold, I have to start it once a week and let it run awhile or when a nice day comes along and the Sabre has been sitting for a month or longer it just isn't going to start until the weather gets warm and I have to park it out in the sun till it gets really hot before it will start, otherwise it turns over but just won't fire, probably could use a hair dryer on the carbs to warm them up and maybe that would help.......It is one cold blooded son of a gun.........

[DoobieBrother]

I'd just move. You'll be happier in the long run.

[PainterD]

I used to use Stabil for winter storage, but I now switched to Seafoam, which actually cleans the carbs while riding. The gas will leave varnish in the carbs and eventually start to clog those little journals in time. By using Seafoam, that will keep things clean.
You can run the bike during the off season, but the gas will still get old and cause varnish deposits.

[HRCguru]

Originally Posted by old4x4

As I understand it, condensation will occur only IF the engine is not brought up to and maintained at operating temp......like my truck on its 1 mile commute. Condensation promotes sludge with dino oils. I don't use them. Of course, this info is from an auto repair show I listen to once a week and may only be that mechanic's opinion. I'm not a mechanic.

It really sounds like you WANT to start it periodically . If so , then do it especially if you might ride it in winter . It's a Honda so you probably won't do any discernible harm , but I'm just letting you know from experience that it's better to just let it be through winter . Besides , prolonged idling is not good for engines for quite a few reasons including overheated cylinder heads and carbon build-up . Many people seem to think of a machine as an animal whose muscles would atrophy if not used . Just follow a few basic steps and your bike will rumble to life again and again . You don't have to worry about it through winter . Btw , the main problem with condensation is possible rust formation which has nothing to do with the type of oil used .