Fuel Additive

[Norm T R100T R1150RT]

OK gents - no flamin me - I've a 1950 HD Panhead - my sole ride for thirty some years - 250,000 miles approx. ( before I started ridin Beemers) - she doesn't get much attention anymore - 500 miles since I bought my Airhead (1st BMW) approx. ten years ago - my intentions are /were to ride her locally on rare occasions - the nitty-gritty - the gas/fuel stinks - stale most of the time I get interested in firin her up for a local run - what are my best options ? - thinkin I need to drain the fuel for longer periods of storage/neglect (shame on me) - Is there an additive up to the job or need I drain her - perhaps stored with a particular substance in the float bowl ? Got that stinkin varnish smell I know can do evil to the carb . . . I appreciate the wisdom of this group - thanks gents, as always - Happy Trails

[melville]

If the Panhead needs some exercise, I'll be right over!

I use Startron when I put the Airhead away for the winter with a full tank and drained floatbowls. Six months later, all I need to do is check the battery charge and turn the taps on.

Comes in a blue bottle. I get it either from my local independent MC shop or from the lawnmower shop.

[Garnet]

If you have varnish smellin gas in there right now, you need to get it all out. You can dump it into a nearly full tank in your car or truck to make it go away. Try a bit of new gas to see if she runs. If she's not happy it's time to get up close and personal with your carb.

In the future you need to set some sort of reminder for yourself as to when you last ran her. Probably a note on the calendar for six months later that you either need to either go for a ride and get fresh gas, or drain everything.

I only ride mr R26 for a couple of months every year, but sometimes it might miss a summer. It's usually best to put a classic to bed after every ride with the thought that it might sit for quite some time. Despite our best intentions, life sometimes gets in the way of playing with our toys.

[ME 109]

I only ride mr R26 for a couple of months every year

Do we know him? Can't say that user name is familiar?

[jagarra]

Seems the best policy is to dump the fuel. A friend who has a lot of equipment to maintain his property was having fits keeping them running. He was having carburetor problems that required frequent replacement. He finally went to a racing gas, 100 octane, leaded fuel. A bit expensive, but the carburetor problems have disappeared, they start on first pull and the cost of the fuel is cheaper than replacing carburetors on some of his gear.
When talking to the distributor, he indicated he has had no problems with fuel that was 7 years old as far as performance.

This new gas with the ethanol is killing some of the older equipment and causing all sorts of problems. It goes off in about 6 months. On one of my old Jaguars, which may get fired up once a year, has racing fuel in the tank, all the new stuff has been drained.

[Major Softie]

I agree that the fuel that's already bad smelling needs to be drained.

With fresh fuel, I use Stabil, and I've had no problems. They have a special formula for fuel with ethanol in it, but I haven't had problems using the regular stuff.

[Zombie Master]

My rule is if the bike is not going to be run in 6 months, I drain the tank, remove it, put in a cup of engine oil and make sure all internal surfaces are coated. I re-install the tank and let some oil fill the float bowls.....I'm not sure why I do this, but I feel somehow more Uber when I do.

[Major Softie]

I'm not sure why I do this, but I feel somehow more Uber when I do.

At the very least, you gotta get an A for effort.

[Norm T R100T R1150RT]

Drained the stinky gas from the tank and the float bowl - will try the stabil - thanks for all the tips n replies fellers