Winterize the 350 GTR

[Harry]

Hi to all the Stones,  What is the best way to get my GTR ready for the winter.  I removed the battery and put it on a tender so that it stays charged.  Should I drain the gas or put Sea Foam or some other gas stabilizer into the tank?  What do you guys usually do.  It's getting pretty cold here in NE PA.  Harry

[slawsonb]

Sorry Harry. No winterization required in AZ. Finally at the point where it is cool enough to ride (comfortably). Today was our first day since last spring at less than 70 degrees...yipee!
  
...bert

[ziggy stardust]

This is what I put my 76 Kawasaki KH400 A3 into for hibernation, it's suffered badly through some of the past damp cold winters but if I clean it then place it in the bag and follow the simple instructions it comes out in six months time exactly as the day I placed it in there.

I also add a fuel stabilizer to the tank and disconnect the battery.

It's in hibernation now.

https://www.vac-bag.co.uk/

Z

[OldSwartout]

For several years, I just rode mine into the barn in late November, put it on the center stand, shut the gas off, kept the battery inside and charged it occasionally. It was always OK in February or March. I now have a bigger heated shop and use an AGM battery, so for the last couple years, nothing gets done, although it doesn't usually go more than two months between rides.

In the upper U.S. where the winters may be longer than here in central Indiana, more prep may be required.

I prefer to keep some gas in the tank. In my experience, an empty tank seems to rust more quickly. Some people either top off the tank to prevent exposure of the inside surface to air or mix some oil with the fuel and slosh it around to oil the inside of the tank. If you have premix in it, run the carbs dry when parking it or the fuel evaporates from them and leaves a blob of oil around the main jet, making it more difficult to start the next spring. With today's higher ethanol percentage, 10% in many cases, I'd run the carbs dry even if the fuel wasn't premix.

The vacuum bag is a cool idea though if you're going to store it for several months. I've seen them advertised here in the U.S., too.

[srpackrat49]

Well here in Oregen it rains... alot.... I.ve always been with the school to put the bike away with a full tank of GOOD gas  I.E  no 10% shit.... We can still get the good stuff, but its 5 bucks a gal.... I used to bring the bike in to the house in the winter,,, threw the dinning room, turn left... and into the bedroom... Then once amon. i,d open both windows and fire her up and let it run for awhile... Then shut her off and close the windows....I live by myself so hoo cares.... I,m thinking of bringing my GTO into the house and park her over by the TV,,, that way it will be watched all the time.. And i do,nt think my 2 cats will care.... Maybe the new girl freind will ??    But then again i do have 12 bikes now...  The rest can live in the shop.... Hope this helps ya out and maybe make ya smile???

[moonpup]

Who needs a TV when you have a GTO in the house! 

[slawsonb]

Wow, you really are a GTO fan.
 
...bert

[old smokey]

I started using non-ethanol a few years ago whether it's ridden or just parked. If it's a metal tank I top the tank off with some Stabil in it. Non riding periods in WI can get close to 5 months.   

[Mopar5426]

  I Always Drain The  Tank Then Put In Some Pre Mixed Gas      Bit The Gas Is A Racing Fuel  VP Product    Then Fire Here Up   The Extra Oil Is Good   The Race Gas Leaves No Film As It Dries And The Oil In The Carbs Is A Good Thing        I Do This In My Lawn Mowers And All Other Lawn Tools   I Do It In The Summer To My Ice Fishing Oger     All My Old Cars Have Race Gas In The Tank   I Have No Carb Troubles    Winter Can Be 6 To 7 Mouths   Long Always Works   Ive Never Had Any Luck With Stable    May Be Good For A While But The Problem Is The Gas    Race Fuel By VP  11.00 A Gallon    One Screwed Up Carb On A Hemi  Priceless    GENE

[Harry]

Thanks, Guys.  I'll fill the tank and add some Sea Foam, run it through the carbs, then take out the battery, set it on the center stand and put it up for the winter.  I'd much rather take it to Florida and run it all winter.  Harry

[Colin]

Yes I have used those bike vac bags that ziggy is on about too, they last for years unless you put the bike in hot and burn a hole in it with the exhausts like I did 
The bike goes in clean and polished and comes out after the winter looking the exact way you put it in there, no dust or moisture to worry about, In fact I'm going to buy another for my Harley next week.

[dcr]

If we have a winter like last year, I might get one and put myself in there until spring. With my Bridgestone, of course.