Fuel rooster thingy....where to leave it during winter??

[gordorad]

Ok, I searched for this, but couldn't find what I was looking for....I just filled up the tank, poured in some Berryman stabilizer or something like that.......I will be able to start her up every week, and perhaps a quick spin around the block......But, where should I leave the fuel setting??  Off?  ON? Reserve?

[Bone]

Great question for the guys here we have several opinions.  I owned a 85 Goldwing Aspencade and never turned off the petcock during the riding season or storage. Live in Michigan so the bike can be down for a few months. Went to the garage one winter day and a big wet spot under the engine got my attention. My full tank of gas with Stabil had filled the crank case and found a place to drip out. That was new oil and filter full of treated gas.
Since that day I have always turned the petcock off on every motorcycle I start to get off of the seat. Then I bought my Valkyrie and started reading the stories of failed petcocks, leaking float needles and seats. I can't think of one reason to leave a petcock turned on with you leave the bike. Every time you start a bike you turn a key why not open the fuel petcock ?

[Jess from VA]

If the bike is off, the petcock should be off.   (Thou some passive-aggressives do otherwise  )

But it's not a bad idea to run your treated fuel thru the carbs before shutting them off.

[gordorad]

So, what is the point of turning it to the "off".....Fuel will still be in the lines, correct??  What purpose does it serve??    And, who makes the best oil??

[Michvalk]

I have a very involved process to put my bike away for the winter. I put 1/2 can of seafoam in the tank, fillup, ride home, park in garage, remove key from ignition, close garage door. In the spring, I open the garage door, start bike , ride away. Has worked for me for 40 years, no reason to change it now
OH by the way, I think my Valk also has a petcock on it, but have never seen it.

[Bone]

Yes there is fuel in the lines it's the 5 gallons in the tank I want to stay in the tank. It's your choice I gave you the reason I shut mine off. I've been riding since I was 20 years old and that one failure is the only one for me. I've had a diaphragm failure already with the Valk but was able to avoid the big-one.

[old2soon]

Off off off off please. I've taken to shutting mine off about a mile before i get to the garage. That last mile is  mostly not over 30-40 M P H. If i have a float failure the bowls won't be full. Lately i check my petcock every ride at highway speed. Still shuts fuel off in about a minute at 70 M P H indicated. Your results may vary. Everything i mentioned is for MY peace of mind. If you disagree with me that's fine to. Hope this helps you. RIDE SAFE.

[Sodbuster]

Put some Stabil in the gas, run it to get some down into the carbs (assuming you don't drain them), turn petcock to OFF (I use a Pingel non-vacuum)  Also, come spring, I will pull the plugs and hit the starter to assure there was nothing in the cylinders after it's LONG nap over the winter .... better safe than sorry !!

[art]

Another good reason to shut it off .Less chance of a leak on the garage floor an fumes getting to an ignition source an causing a house fire.Don't forget murphys law.

[gordorad]

Thanks guys....Sounds like I should turn it off ALL the time!!  Will do!!

[Gryphon Rider]

Running your bike briefly once a week will do more harm than good, although it's not a crucial issue.  It allows moisture to accumulate in the oil without being boiled off and circulates the contaminated oil through the engine.  Also, running the engine hot without airflow over the exhaust headers can cause the headers to overheat and discolour.

Here's what I do for winter:
1. Ride to nearby gas station.  Put in appropriate amount of fuel stabilizer before filling.  Fill tank with gas.
2. Ride 2-3 miles so stabilized fuel gets through carbs.
3. Park in my garage, shut off engine, turn off the fuel valve and change the oil and filter.
4. Give the bike a thorough cleaning just outside my garage door.
5. Pull the battery.
6. Roll the bike into its winter position and cover it.
7. Every 6 weeks or so, put the trickle charger on the battery overnight.
8. Spend too much time reading arguments on the VRCC message boards.

[fudgie]

Might want to look again, I think Berrymans is a cleaner and not a stabilizer. I did that one winter and could tell a differance in the spring. Seafoam started better/faster.

[salty1]

I agree with " fudgie", Berrymans B12 is a cleaner and Seafoam is better stabilizer and milder cleaner.
Not turnig ones petcock ofF is asking for trouble.

[Davemn]

Turn it OFF

[pBrain]

Here's what I do for winter.

- Put on a heavier riding jacket
- Put on riding pants
- Put on liners and gaunlet gloves
- Put on my full face helmet
- Put on my neck warmer
- Ride Some More

Oh... and when I get home, I shut off the petcock.... until the next day.

[Steve K (IA)]

Thanks guys....Sounds like I should turn it off ALL the time!!  Will do!!

Yes, "Off" whenever your not riding.  Good habit to have.  That is something my Dad instilled in me at an early age.

[Stratnick]

Don't know how but my petcock failed while in off position. Maybe it had trash in it. Anyway, resulted in hydrolock. I learned a lesson the hard way..service the petcock before something goes wrong, then turn it off when not riding.