Storage prep

[Steve Minor]

Hey Guys...I need to "mothball" my 3 Pentons for a several months and wondered how to prep them. I thought I'd remove the plug, spray something (Marvel Mystery Oil, WD40, etc) into the bore, kick it through a few times and replace the plug. I'd also drain the oil. Anybody have a better method of storage?

Steve Minor

[wfopete]

Sta-Bil, has specific engine fogging products that do a better job.  Of course they offer some good fuel stabilizers that are designed to "seal" the fuel from the air in the tank.

https://www.goldeagle.com/brands/sta-bil/

Pete Petrick
175 Jackpiner
Slow but Good

[thrownchain]

I'd do an oil change and store it with the fresh oil in it. Old oil has contaminants from running, new oil won't.

[KJDonovan]

Drain the carb, especially if you use fuels with ethanol in them.

Put some clothes dryer sheets around the breather - the smell helps keep rodents from taking up residence in your airbox while the bike is being stored.

[Mike OReilly]

The one thing I do not do is leave modern fuels in any of my fiberglass tanks for any period of time (ie: any more than about 30 days).
I believe that two of the most critical things you need to do are: 1)drain the fuel tanks and allow them to vent (caps off) to get rid of all fuel;
2) drain the float bowl.
In a perfect world, fog the engine, although for over-winter storage this is not as critical as the fuel issues.
Mike

[Steve Minor]

My 72 Six Day piston has a tendency to "stick" if I don't kick it through every month or so. I can usually rock it in gear to free it up without much trouble. My 77 400 never "sticks"...

Steve Minor