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Advice on laying bike up

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Griffic View Drop Down
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    Posted: 30 Mar 2020 at 22:21
As it looks like my bike (1200 sport )like many others is going to be laid up, unused for many months, I was considering the best option regarding the fuel in the tank. It’s  showing evidence of slight expansion and slight paint damage presumably from ethanol despite fairly regular use and I wouldn’t want the prolonged storage to make the situation worse. I can’t decide if the best option is to add a fuel stabiliser and fill to the brim,( if so, which fuel stabiliser.) Alternatively, drain the tank completely. 
Has anyone any advice?

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Brian UK View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brian UK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Mar 2020 at 22:43
Drain the tank and leave it open. Let it dry out completely. Some have said their tank returned to the original size as a result.
But there also seems to be a limit to the expansion too, so it might not get any worse anyway.
Brian.

Better 5 minutes late in this world than years early in the next.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Richard Hyatt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2020 at 07:02
I'd recommend to drain everything out as Brian suggests. Use the fuel in the lawn mower and hedge trimmers !!!
As it's the 1st of the month tomorrow I'm SORN ing everything and getting refunds for my road tax.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote iansoady Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2020 at 10:02
I considered SORNing bikes & cars but decided that I didn't really need the money (being one of the fortunate retired folk who don't need to go to work) and it might be better used contributing to ventilators, 80% salaries etc......
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote c13pep Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2020 at 10:47
Emptying plastic tanks looks to be best advice however leaving them open would invite damp air to enter which could adversely effect fuel pumps etc. My own view is that if left open then cover hole with an old towel to dissuade dampness from entering but it allows fumes to still evaporate, then change towel once a week for a dry one.
My steel Monza tank will be left full to the brim again to lessen rust forming on the inside of the tank itself.
I would hope that normality returns in a few months so we can all be out and about but I am a great believer in `sods law` which suggests all the good weather will occur during `lock down`.

CHRIS
you can`t have any fun in a straight line

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brian UK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2020 at 11:07
I thought of sorning the car - but since the road tax is zero, I doubt it would save me much.
Brian.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote nab301 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2020 at 14:33
I'm showing my lack of Guzzi knowledge  here  but assuming the Sport 1200  is fuel injected  I'd use fuel stabiliser (any mainstream brand), run  the bike  to run it through the system and then drain the tank . If you just drain the tank you'll still have old  fuel in the injector lines and filter (which may or may not  block the injector nozzles)  when you restart the bike in the future. 
Nigel
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sardineone Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Mar 2020 at 21:26
If you drain or fill your tank a fuel stabilizer still might be a good idea for the injectors etc.  I use Stabil 360 Marine grade (blue) here in the states for winter layovers.  It costs a bit more, but you use half as much and it does more than the normal stabilizer against corrosion. https://www.goldeagle.com/tips-tools/what-are-the-differences-among-sta-bil-products/ 
 
A bit of grease on the fork tubes to guard against the fork seals sticking when bumped off the stand after an extended period doesn't hurt either.  My '83 Honda CB1100F was prone to such over the winter.
 
I keep my LeMans with a metal tank full as much as I can to prevent rust. So far, so good after 33 years. Wink
George

One owner 86' Lemans 1000 (member of the family) / BMW R1200ST (current work horse)

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