What precautions to take when storing fuel-injected bikes?

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#1 Post by **mangocrazy** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:46 pm

Most of the bikes I've owned have been carburetted models, and I have always been careful to drain all remaining fuel out of the float bowls before leaving the bike laid up for any length of time (normally over winter). I'm well aware of the ability of modern fuel to gum and clog up slow-running jets and leave gummy deposits in general on the inside of carburettors.

With fuel-injected bikes like Falcos, RSVs, Tuonos etc. this doesn't appear to be an option. Would an alternative to this be to use either fuel stabiliser or injector cleaner in the last tankful of petrol prior to laying the bike up? And do members add injector cleaner to their petrol as a matter of course?

Any suggestions welcome. The other alternative is to fire the bike up once a month and thoroughly warm it up, I guess. And while hardy winter riding types may scoff at me, I don't care. I've done my years (decades) of winter riding and don't feel the need to do it any more. Road salt is not going to get anywhere near my Falco...

D-Rider · #2 Post by **D-Rider** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:50 pm

I find the best way is to ride it .....
...... now stop being a wuss and let's hear no more of this talk of putting it to bed for the winter .... you make it sound like the Blue Peter Tortoise

#3 Post by **mangocrazy** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:21 pm

Blimey! I've achieved a finger wag! Woo-hoo....

OK - riddle me this one, then. I also own a Ducati 888 SP3 (also fuel-injected) that I don't ride anything like as much as I should. Next year I'm planning to take this down to my gaff in the South of France (aka the Moneypit, aka the Project) and leave it there for when we visit.

Now that will be left idle over winter for anywhere between 3 and 5 months. What 'laying-up' precautions would you take for that bike?

'Don't bother, because it's a Ducati and doesn't count' is not regarded as a valid reply...

D-Rider · #4 Post by **D-Rider** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:46 pm

Sorry .... no idea as I've never done this myself.

Maybe someone on here will know

Syltiz · #5 Post by **Syltiz** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 2:20 pm

Fuel stabaliser would be your best bet. It stops the water in the fuel causing rust and stops the fuel going "off" which leads to gummy deposits. Im not sure if that is everything you would do though.

Others will know better... but perhaps draining the fuel and then running the jets dry will help? Or will that damage the jets?

HowardQ · #6 Post by **HowardQ** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:31 pm

Other than the obvious draining off the tank, which can have the side effect of internal rusting, whenever either of my bikes are stood for a while I always leave them with super unleaded in the tank, which does not seem to turn to sludge like "cooking" unleaded.

Samray · #7 Post by **Samray** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 5:07 pm

HowardQ wrote:super unleaded in the tank, which does not seem to turn to sludge like "cooking" unleaded.

That is quite contrary to what I've been led to believe.

Falco9 · #8 Post by **Falco9** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 6:27 pm

Every report I've ever read on injector cleaner is that it is a waste of money. The only way to clean an injector is by ultrasonics (apparently) so I don't reckon it would help in this case

Like Samray I've also been led to believe that "All" modern fuels turn to jelly regardless of few extra octanes, so in short I don't know what to suggest, my experience is that I start my bike every couple of months during winter and have never had a problem with fuel, sometimes it has a full tank sometimes not. I don't pay that much attention to be honest

I know of many bikes that sit unstarted in dealers for many many months and proceed to start on the button. My old Falco had apparently been sat for 2 months in the showroom before I bought it and it started straight away, so maybe the "reported" problems with fuel are just not true in reality

I'd reckon the Ducati forums would have some tips for you on the matter though

F9

D-Rider · #9 Post by **D-Rider** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:55 pm

Might be worth searching AF1 forum - a number of them are under feet of snow over winter and store their bikes ... from what I remember they use fuel stabiliser - but, as I say, worth a search.

#10 Post by **mangocrazy** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 9:05 am

Cheers - I have to say I'm leaning towards fuel stabiliser as my first choice. Will check on AF1 - thanks Andy.

Fausto · #11 Post by **Fausto** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 5:24 pm

Erm..... Is it a Falco you are storing?

If so rust in the fuel tank will not be a worry

HowardQ · #12 Post by **HowardQ** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 8:44 pm

Samray wrote:
HowardQ wrote:super unleaded in the tank, which does not seem to turn to sludge like "cooking" unleaded.
That is quite contrary to what I've been led to believe.

Must admit I've never had a problem with the fuel injected Falco, but I certainly have on my old CBR 1000. This is mainly used in winter so get left standing around a lot in better weather. It has been much better since I started leaving it with super unleaded in the tank and I have never had to clean the carbs out since.

#13 Post by **mangocrazy** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 8:50 pm

Fausto wrote:Erm..... Is it a Falco you are storing?

If so rust in the fuel tank will not be a worry

Er yes - quite...

Actually, it's not just a Falco, but also a VFR750, A Duke 888 and a Lancia Beta Spyder. I buy bikes but can never seem to sell them...

HowardQ · #14 Post by **HowardQ** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 9:09 pm

With the Beta Spyder it not so much the fuel tank rusting, it's keeping the car from rusting around it, great car though.
I've always loved Italian cars, as well as bikes, but also suffered quite a bit in the past.
I have a Alfa 156 and the wife has a Punto, (both have been very reliable).

D-Rider · #15 Post by **D-Rider** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 10:38 pm

HowardQ wrote: the wife has a Punto, (both have been very reliable).

I'm sure she will be very pleased to hear that you speak so highly of her