Storage till next Spring

hh93 · 09-09-2021, 09:31 AM

Hello, more knowledgable peeps,

I'm laid up after surgery and as the Tax and Insurance have run out, so I'm parking Doris up till the Spring.

My question is to what to do with the Fuel Tank ??

Doris is a '03 620 Dark i.e. I bought in 2018 with 1800 miles. When bought, the tank was a bit swollen and the place I bought it off were doing a batch of tanks with the Ethanol Proof Coating, so I added my tank to the pile. So as far as I understand it's E5 proof and certainly looks OK since then.

I always fill to the Brim at my local village Petrol Station on my way home from a ride out, and that's the situation now - brimmed with 95 Octane E5 mixed with 99 Octane E5 from a Shell Station about 80 miles up the road.

So is it safe to leave the tank full to the Brim till the spring, or better to drain it and dry it out ?? Not done that previously, but now I have doubts. OTOH Doris was left for the whole of 2020 due to the Pandemic.

Also, as I understand it E10 shouldn't be used 'cos of the Fuel System Components ??

mickj · 09-09-2021, 01:29 PM

As you will probably be storing the bike for over six months I would drain the tank and dry it out, place the bike on stands, drop a little oil in the cylinders and give it a spin. Unless you intend giving a start up every month.

Bitza · 09-09-2021, 10:07 PM

Go for a blast and burn it off, what's the worst that could happen to the stitches? Good advice or what! Bitza

slob · 10-09-2021, 07:27 AM

I’m not sure what the advantage of filling the tank is unless it’s steel, the idea there is to prevent rusting by excluding oxygen. The swelling problem with ethanol is caused by the fact ethanol mixes with water, wheras petrol doesn’t, and nylon absorbs water. So if the tank’s been coated I don’t see any great advantage in draining it. My inclination would be keep the fuel pump immersed to prevent it drying out and possibly seizing. Fuel stabilizers ste available, that claim to prevent ethanol/water separation and oxidation, it might be worth trying one of them.
Good luck with op and recovery.

hh93 · 10-09-2021, 09:26 AM

Thanks for the well wishes.

'cos I have plenty of time on my hands; I have had a chance to surf the web and try and find out

Plenty of fuel "stabiliers" Motorex Ethanol Treatment and STA-Bil - research continues, but wondering if anyone has used any of those yet ?

I also read that some people in Aus mix water to separate out the Ethanol and let it settle then drain it off ! Dunno where we could dispose of the waste over here though.

My plan for when I can actually do anything again is a full Service clean and ACF50 as I have done previously. Just dunno what is the best thing to do with the Plastic tank TBH.

I can remember the fun and games that resulted with the withdrawal of Leaded Petrol and Valve seats but this seems to be far worse.

regards
Howie

slob · 10-09-2021, 09:53 AM

http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...hlight=ethanol

Luddite · 10-09-2021, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hh93

Plenty of fuel "stabiliers" Motorex Ethanol Treatment and STA-Bil - research continues, but wondering if anyone has used any of those yet ?

If you're considering fuel stabilisers, this is an interesting watch...

hh93 · 02-10-2021, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luddite

If you're considering fuel stabilisers, this is an interesting watch...

Ha - just got around to watching this - TY. None of those then.

Jam911 · 02-10-2021, 04:48 PM

If you can remove and store the tank you could drain and dry it out and then put silica gel packs inside to absorb any moisture.

Stinger101 · 04-10-2021, 07:55 AM

I use Aspen 4 in my laid up bikes. It is ethanol free. There is also Aspen 2 for 2 stroke engines.
It is a fuel, not an additive that is mostly found in garden machinery stockists. It lasts up to 7 years.

Zimbo · 04-10-2021, 01:07 PM

Most of the classic car people seem to be using the Lucas fuel additive, it's not expensive so I am using that in both bikes and boat this winter.
https://www.lucasoil.co.uk/products/...th-stabilizers

Darren69 · 04-10-2021, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zimbo

Most of the classic car people seem to be using the Lucas fuel additive, it's not expensive so I am using that in both bikes and boat this winter.
https://www.lucasoil.co.uk/products/...th-stabilizers

Is it safe for plastic tanks though? I couldn't see anything either way.

hh93 · 09-10-2021, 07:09 AM

Thanks for all your suggestions.

As it is at the moment it's in 2020 mode where I was stuck out of the country or Lockdown, so Doris is sat with a full to the brim tank of E5 and an Optimate connected.

regards
H

09-09-2021, 09:31 AM	#1
hh93 Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Lincoln Bike: M620ie Posts: 116	Storage till next Spring Hello, more knowledgable peeps, I'm laid up after surgery and as the Tax and Insurance have run out, so I'm parking Doris up till the Spring. My question is to what to do with the Fuel Tank ?? Doris is a '03 620 Dark i.e. I bought in 2018 with 1800 miles. When bought, the tank was a bit swollen and the place I bought it off were doing a batch of tanks with the Ethanol Proof Coating, so I added my tank to the pile. So as far as I understand it's E5 proof and certainly looks OK since then. I always fill to the Brim at my local village Petrol Station on my way home from a ride out, and that's the situation now - brimmed with 95 Octane E5 mixed with 99 Octane E5 from a Shell Station about 80 miles up the road. So is it safe to leave the tank full to the Brim till the spring, or better to drain it and dry it out ?? Not done that previously, but now I have doubts. OTOH Doris was left for the whole of 2020 due to the Pandemic. Also, as I understand it E10 shouldn't be used 'cos of the Fuel System Components ?? __________________ Doris '03 620 Dark Horace 1980 onwards Harris Mag II

09-09-2021, 01:29 PM	#2
mickj Registered User Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Clevedon Bike: M1200s Posts: 560	As you will probably be storing the bike for over six months I would drain the tank and dry it out, place the bike on stands, drop a little oil in the cylinders and give it a spin. Unless you intend giving a start up every month. __________________ Keep the rubber side down. Mick

09-09-2021, 10:07 PM	#3
Bitza Bronze Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Poole Bike: M900ie Posts: 470	Go for a blast and burn it off, what's the worst that could happen to the stitches? Good advice or what! Bitza __________________ Bitza

10-09-2021, 09:26 AM	#5
hh93 Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Lincoln Bike: M620ie Posts: 116	Thanks for the well wishes. 'cos I have plenty of time on my hands; I have had a chance to surf the web and try and find out Plenty of fuel "stabiliers" Motorex Ethanol Treatment and STA-Bil - research continues, but wondering if anyone has used any of those yet ? I also read that some people in Aus mix water to separate out the Ethanol and let it settle then drain it off ! Dunno where we could dispose of the waste over here though. My plan for when I can actually do anything again is a full Service clean and ACF50 as I have done previously. Just dunno what is the best thing to do with the Plastic tank TBH. I can remember the fun and games that resulted with the withdrawal of Leaded Petrol and Valve seats but this seems to be far worse. regards Howie __________________ Doris '03 620 Dark Horace 1980 onwards Harris Mag II

04-10-2021, 07:55 AM	#10
Stinger101 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Alcester Bike: M1200s Posts: 241	I use Aspen 4 in my laid up bikes. It is ethanol free. There is also Aspen 2 for 2 stroke engines. It is a fuel, not an additive that is mostly found in garden machinery stockists. It lasts up to 7 years. Last edited by Stinger101; 04-10-2021 at 07:56 AM.. Reason: spelling

10-09-2021, 07:27 AM	#4
slob . Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: East London Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 9,713	I’m not sure what the advantage of filling the tank is unless it’s steel, the idea there is to prevent rusting by excluding oxygen. The swelling problem with ethanol is caused by the fact ethanol mixes with water, wheras petrol doesn’t, and nylon absorbs water. So if the tank’s been coated I don’t see any great advantage in draining it. My inclination would be keep the fuel pump immersed to prevent it drying out and possibly seizing. Fuel stabilizers ste available, that claim to prevent ethanol/water separation and oxidation, it might be worth trying one of them. Good luck with op and recovery.

10-09-2021, 09:53 AM	#6
slob . Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: East London Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 9,713	http://www.ukmonster.co.uk/monster/s...hlight=ethanol

02-10-2021, 04:48 PM	#9
Jam911 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Stratford Upon Avon Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 288	If you can remove and store the tank you could drain and dry it out and then put silica gel packs inside to absorb any moisture.

04-10-2021, 01:07 PM	#11
Zimbo Too much time on my hands member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Stonehouse, Glos Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,079	Most of the classic car people seem to be using the Lucas fuel additive, it's not expensive so I am using that in both bikes and boat this winter. https://www.lucasoil.co.uk/products/...th-stabilizers

09-10-2021, 07:09 AM	#13
hh93 Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Lincoln Bike: M620ie Posts: 116	Thanks for all your suggestions. As it is at the moment it's in 2020 mode where I was stuck out of the country or Lockdown, so Doris is sat with a full to the brim tank of E5 and an Optimate connected. regards H __________________ Doris '03 620 Dark Horace 1980 onwards Harris Mag II