Proper prep??

Storing my VF500F for the winter and along with my other bikes.

What is the ultimate way to store my Viffer?? A complete list would be appreciated.

Conditions:
Fully enclosed 2 car garage with NO heat and not insulated.

I thought these 30F degree days would break, but it doesn't look that way....
Next season is when I'll fix the carb issues.

Cheers

LL

 

How long of storage?

Stabilize the fuel with a treatment like Sta-Bil. Run the tank dry.

Drain the float bowls (little screws on the under side of the carbs.

Remove the gas tank. Put a cup of 10/40 oil , roll the tank around and around; coat it thoroughly. You may choose to empty the excess, but there's no harm in leaving a bit in there.

Open up all the spark plug wells. Pour in a couple teaspoons of oil into each cylinder. Put the spark plugs into the boots and ground them (to avoid damaging coils and whatnot). Crank the motor for a couple seconds to spread the oil. Replace spark plugs.

Put the bike on the center stand, put something else underneath the subframe to lift the front wheel of the ground.

Treat all the painted surfaces with a coating of a polish/cleaner.. like pro honda spray cleaner and polish.

Clean/lube the chain. Coat all exposed metal surfaces with a THIN coat of oil. Household oil will work... but it might not stick for very long. Motor oil will stick better but be harder to clean when riding season comes up again.

That's all I can think of.

 

I was told I could leave the tank full of gas with the Sta-bill ....is this wrong??

After draining the carbs, should I drain the fuel pump??

Storing just for the winter season....but I'm going to be tuning the engine up for the riding season during the winter. Tappets, fix my lean condition, rebuild front forks, put on a new chain....etc.

Tires should be up to pressure or half the normal pressure??

Thanks for the help

LL

 

You can do the gas tank full and treated with stabil. Though I don't think Sta-bil is 100%. I mentioned the same thing when I had my VF500F and was taking it for a tire swap, the guy there said he tried it once years ago on some older bike and he still had gunk in the float bowls.

As for the fuel pump, You could I suppose, unplug the line that goes to the carbs, leave the kill switch off, put the bike in neutral and crank the motor (if I remember right, the motor will turn over even if the kill switch is in the off position on the VF500). This will make the pump start pumping.

Aim in a safe direction!

As for tire pressure. I'm not sure leaving tire pressure far below the recommended PSI is a good idea. It'd be PITA if the tire lost its seat with the wheel. I don't think it'd happen, but I don't know much. :tongue:

I'm not an expert; far from it, so take my steps with a grain of salt; second guess everything.