yea I never drained Carbs on old Bike. No issues. I thought the stabilizer kind of eliminated that need. Notice in the Bike Manual they were very clear of draining carbs. Manual predated the use of stabilizers ? I don't know. I've been told Gold Wing (Valk) Carbs different Beast. If your in Iowa and your not draining. Your winter is more severe and longer than where I'am at. And you have had no problems.
The lighter petrochemicals in gasoline will readily evaporate, leaving behind any additives or particulates as contaminants. These WILL plug the carb jets (especially the low-speed circuit) and the air bleeds. Sometimes, you get lucky if you leave gas in the bowls. Others, you don't. I've seen it go both ways - and have occasionally had to rebuild carbs for people when additive buildup became problematic. Any Gold Wing owner who's been hit with a $600 R/R bill for carb work will definitely think twice about leaving fuel in them again, when a 5 minute procedure will prevent the condition from ever occurring.
What to do if your bike is to be stored over the winter:
1) Change oil and filter after warming bike up - and don't start bike again on the "clean" oil until spring. (Periodically starting the bike and letting it idle over the course of a winter actually does more harm than good; it allows condensates to build up in the crankcase and in the pipes. If you're not going to ride the machine continually, park it.)
2) Top gas tank up with fresh gas/stabilizer mix. I like Seafoam these days. Sta-Bil appears to come out of suspension too easily.
3) Drain carbs completely - I leave my bowl screws open afterward so a potentially leaky petcock won't flood the cylinders
4) Remove plugs, add a tablespoon of clean oil to each cylinder with an eyedropper or plastic battery filler that is dedicated solely to this purpose. Fogging oil may also be used.
5) Attach plugs to wires, lay electrodes on cylinder heads
6) Turn motor over with starter a few times to distribute oil on cylinder walls
7) Replace plugs
8 ) Remove battery; store in a warm area and trickle-charge to capacity every few weeks
9) If you haven't washed bike completely prior to beginning the winterizing process, do so now
10) Wipe all polished or chromed surfaces with a clean rag soaked with WD40, CRC556 or similar moisture-displacing spray lubricant
11) Wheel bike into storage area; cover with breathable cover.
12) (Optional; recommended in northern states) Piss and moan about 'no riding' until spring.
Honda covers these steps in the owner's manual. Heed their advice.
