Storing carbs for a long term

[gordonv]

I have a set of carbs that I'm going to hang onto for a long time. I was wondering if there is anything I should do to them to preserve them for the years that I might hang onto them.

Spray some grease down the ventures/throttles to keep things lubricated, preserved from corrosion?

Maybe "feed" the carbs with carb cleaner (of your choice, Seafoam, B-12, Techron)? Drain the fuel, and replace with the cleaner, or would that be best to do after storage?

I'm figuring to "preserve" the carbs, wrap it in a garbage bag, and place it in some kind of tupperware container that it will fit in. Then place it on the shelf somewhere till needed.

[YoungPUP]

Just my opinion, but I'd do a Complete overhaul/rebuild, using clean jets, and all new orings etc from Redeye. That way when you are ready to use them its just a matter of install, tune, and ride.

[Blackduck]

I would not be spraying grease or anything that can harden or set.
Drain all the fuel, spray WD 40 through everything and see if you can find some Silica Gel or other moisture absorbant. Place the Silica Gel in the bag with the carbs and seal them up.
Should be fine for years.
Cheers Steve

[Westsider]

Wrap them up good and  airtight and keep indoors/ climate controlled 

[Kylenav]

Use this stuff on various parts of my bike, and at work on the airplanes...

http://www.motorcycleinfo.co.uk/index.cfm?fa=contentGeneric.ejdlwmdldgctiiar&pageId=147977

[Ricky-D]

I think any storage should be preceded with a good cleaning.

Keeping them inside is a good idea but I wouldn't recommend sealing them up. Simply wrapping them in a old towel ought to suffice.

***

[gordonv]

I think any storage should be preceded with a good cleaning.

Keeping them inside is a good idea but I wouldn't recommend sealing them up. Simply wrapping them in a old towel ought to suffice.

***

In oher words, if it is climate controlled (inside a heated home), then you don't want them able to hold moister in, let them breath. Makes sense. I figure these will be out in the unheated garage. I think I might just go as far as buying some desicant from HF and do the job right, maybe even some cualking around the lid to make it really air tight.

I was thinking spray lithum grease. I'm not aware of any grease hardening? WD40 dries, and since this is long term storage, I would be more inclind to use oil, something to "seal" the metal parts from rust/corrosion.

I am toying with the idea of a rebuild, but if they didn't need it before, why do it now, when they are going into storage? I was going to do it as a service thing, rebuild the spares, swap out the ones in the bike, then rebuild the bikes and store them.

How much are the parts for a complete overhaul kit?

[Brian]

I would not wrap them in a plastic bag. I think I would use a food vacuum seal machine separating them if need to fit the bag. These things work great.

[gordonv]

Use this stuff on various parts of my bike, and at work on the airplanes...

http://www.motorcycleinfo.co.uk/index.cfm?fa=contentGeneric.ejdlwmdldgctiiar&pageId=147977

I see it's from the UK, do they sell it here, or you order from overseas?

It almost sounds like that crazy Lube beaker you see on Speedvision TV, Z-Lube or something like that?

[Kingbee]

Here ya go

http://www.reddenmarine.com/marine-supplies.cfm/lubricants-corrosion-protection/corrosion-block-10013/acf-50-spray-13-oz.html

[gordonv]

Wow! Bellingham WA, just 20 min drive south of the border, and I can ppick it up myself.

I think I'll try a can of this stuff, with the recommendations of users and what I read on the web site.

[Blackduck]

Think the idea of vacuum sealing has merits.
Would need to make sure that they have been well dried of moisture, the ACF50 sounds good to add to them and then some dessicant to soak up any moisture that may have been missed.
As for a bag big enough to take a Carb assembly how about the bags touted to store blankets or clothes in, think they use a Vacuum cleaner to to draw the air out.
Cheers Steve

[Kylenav]

I swear by the ACF-50. Use it on all my rifles that don't see any time on the range, and on all the vehicles.  Stuff won't dry, ever.  Make sure you clean it all off with a rag before you put them back on though as I have no experience on how it will interact with the internal workings of your engine....