Winterizing FJ - Fill Tank with fuel or drain it?

[Waiex191]

I should have mentioned that I no longer run gas with ethanol in it.  I've learned my lesson.  If I was riding more I might, and just make sure to fill up with ethanol free for the winter.  It's a lot more expensive but considering how much I ride, the fuel economy I get, and the value of my time I pay the extra and go to one of the 2 nearby stations that offer ethanol free.

[Billy Bananahead]

In California we have up to 15% ethanol and it sitting will clog the jets.

Here in the UK we now have E10 which is up to 10% or E5 which is up to 5%.
Most bike riders use the E5 which is more expensive than the E10 but the 5 doesn't do as much damage to carb internals. If E10 is the only petrol available and i need some i'll just put a bit in and ride on until i find E5 and fill up.

[Billy Bananahead]

I should have mentioned that I no longer run gas with ethanol in it.  I've learned my lesson.  If I was riding more I might, and just make sure to fill up with ethanol free for the winter.  It's a lot more expensive but considering how much I ride, the fuel economy I get, and the value of my time I pay the extra and go to one of the 2 nearby stations that offer ethanol free.

I haven't seen ethanol free here for that long i can't remember. 

[Waiex191]

Interesting that you have E5 and E10 in the UK.  I always thought we only had it in the US because of the corn lobby.

[Billy Bananahead]

I think we have it because of European Union legislation even though we are no longer a member of the EU.
Air quality? We still burn stuff.

[MarioR]

I use stabilizer and fill up the tank. Starting each bike over the winter time bi-weekly, regardless.
No ethanol gas is the best.

[FJ1200W]

Here is what I do, be it right or be it wrong.
If I know it is going to sit for a few months, I fill the tank, alcohol free premium is plentiful around here.
I have installed a petcock near the fuel pump. I disconnect the fuel pump and turn the petcock off, then I ride the bike to remove most of the fuel from the carburetors.
Usually it is just sputtering when I get home, I let it run until the engine quits running.
Then I cover the bike and let it sit.
Never had a problem.
Usually I just leave it be and ride it whenever the sun is out, the roads are clear and it is over 50F degrees out.
Sometimes colder if I am in withdrawal -

[andyoutandabout]

I yo-yo-ed with the full/empty conundrum and went with empty mainly for the ease of moving the tank about. The rust fighting insurance that paid off was buying liquid form WD40 and swishing that all around the inside.
It remained rust free for a full calendar year.
yay.

[Warp84]

Only reason I've drained my tank for this winter is the fact my vacuum petcock is leaking so I need to get the rebuild kit from RPM.

[Ted Schefelbein]

I think we have it because of European Union legislation even though we are no longer a member of the EU.
Air quality? We still burn stuff.

I've always referred to it as burning food for fuel. It is stunning how much of the corn crop goes into the production of ethanol. It consumes vast amounts of energy, and, water to produce fuel grade ethanol.

My FJ is sitting patiently waiting to have the near empty tank drained and clean oil sloshed about the insides. When I got the bike, I removed the tank and used electrolysis with a 12 volt battery charger, an anode, and wash soda to get the tank sparkling on the inside. It had been well cared for and was fairly clean. Having read all the posts from guys with rusty tanks, I can spend an afternoon making sure there is no way I have to go through any issues ever with rust in my tank.
I do the exact same thing with my 1967 Oldsmobile 442. Have for 30 years.





It doesn't happen often, but, occasionally the refineries screw up the different grades of fuel. You think you are buying non ethanol laced fuel, but, are you willing to bet your fuel tank on that notion?

Hey, go for it.

Ted

[Bones]

I don't have to winterise my bike because where I live in Australia we never get cold enough, frost maybe but never snow. As for the fuel situation we have E10 as well for those who want it but normal fuel is readily available everywhere.

My FJ sat for nearly two years with about half a tank of 95 premium and when I finally got it out for a ride was half expecting it to play up from old fuel but it ran like a train and didn't miss a beat, if it had been ethanol on the other hand it would be a different story.

We're lucky we still have a choice here and not forced to run ethanol but for how long who knows.