Fuel stabilizer?

[todao]

My bike has been sitting since Aug. 13 (when I broke my collarbone).  I started it up once since then, last week, with no problem.  I've been cleared to ride next weekend by the doc.  I assume  I'm okay at this point without fuel stabilizer, correct?  

[nater]

No point in adding stabilizer to the tank now as you are about to use the gas.

[birdrunner]

Personally,  I'd toss a bit of Seafoam into it,  it can only help.


BTW,  Here in Alberta I regularly let the gas sit for 6 months over winter with no ill effects.

[Thunderbox]

I would second the Seafoam addative.  Great stuff IMHO.

[UHOH]

  I assume  I'm okay at this point without fuel stabilizer, correct?  

yep, you've tested it, it's not broken, so don't fix it.

[Mydlyfkryzis]

I put SeaFoam in ALL my gasoline equipment. It keeps my gear 1-2 pull starts.

Putting Stabilizer in after the oil is old, and lost some of it's more volatile components is probably a waste, but SeaFoam will also dissolve any buildup in the carbs/injection systen, and help keep it clean.

I put SeaFoam in my Bike every fillup, regardless whether it is going to be used up today, or stored for weeks.

Great stuff. I don't usually like mechanic in a can, but SeaFoam is a good tool for keeping the fuel system cleam.

[buls4evr]

 
   I prefer Startron enzyme treatment to either Stabil or Seafoam. I also use it all the time in my fueltank not just for storage.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Is it possible (within reason, of course) to add too much of this stuff? I measure it out per instructions, but ocasionally I don't know the exact amount of fuel I'm adding too.

Anyway, sometimes I put in a little extra, just to be sure  

[mxvet57]

My bikes don't sit long enough to need that stuff.

[bomber]

yes, you CAN add too much stabilizer -- it isn't fuel, after all, and the engine wouldn't run on pure stabilizer

but it'd have to be on the order of twice the recommended amount . . . .

[Mrs. DantesDame]

yes, you CAN add too much stabilizer -- it isn't fuel, after all, and the engine wouldn't run on pure stabilizer

ROCKET FUEL!!!!

but it'd have to be on the order of twice the recommended amount . . . .

Thanks!

[Baz]

If you read the directions on the seafoam can its instructions are pretty vague. Treats 30 to 100 liters or something like that.

You would have to add an extra large amount (as in litres) before you would notice things. More is not really better.

All of the ingredients in stable and seafoam were once added to gasoline by refiners but they discontinued their use to save costs. Some engineer decided that gasoline didn't need a shelf life for longer than a few weeks. It is actually recommended that you add stable or equivalent to anything that is going to sit for more than a couple of weeks.

Shelf life of gasoline has been shortened that much.

Also, you Americana's use lots to ethanol which is rather nasty to things metal that are not stainless.

[todao]

thanks everyone.  Ran the bike without it, no problem.  On my fourth tank of gas since.  Hopefully will never be off bike long enough again to need it.

[Papa Lazarou]

Also, you Americana's use lots to ethanol which is rather nasty to things metal that are not stainless.

It also rots carb rubbers....

I add a fuel additiove/ carb cleaner a couple of times a year to clean things out. Seems to help.

[birdrunner]

 

 

Also, you Americana's use lots to ethanol which is rather nasty to things metal that are not stainless.

+1
I am convinced the US gas is of lesser quality than the stuff we get.

[expatbrit]

ROCKET FUEL!!!!



Thanks!

.... or NOS! Mmm. In a CAN!

[Andrew]

+1
I am convinced the US gas is of lesser quality than the stuff we get.

Maybe true but we have better Guns and street drugs (UH wait that may not a good combo at all) never mind  

[stromgal]

Maybe true but we have better Guns and street drugs (UH wait that may not a good combo at all) never mind  

Judging by those I saw stumbling the streets of Vancouver, I'd say the drugs are pretty okay in Canuckistan.  

[Andrew]

Ya but around here any grade school dropout can cook meth.

Come to think about it, thats not a good thing either  

[HipGnosis]

Is it possible (within reason, of course) to add too much of this stuff? I measure it out per instructions, but ocasionally I don't know the exact amount of fuel I'm adding too.

Anyway, sometimes I put in a little extra, just to be sure  

I've been a fan of seafoam for some time.
The directions - sorry I can't recall if I got it off the can or the website - give 2 dosage amounts.
One for maintenance and stabilization.  I believe it's 2 oz per 3 gal's.
The other amount is for cleaning; 2 oz per gal.

Pro tip; figure out how much you need for a full tank of your bike.  Measure that much water in a measuring cup.  Pour the (measured) water into a juice (etc.) bottle and mark the water level w/ permanent marker.  Dump out the water and store the bottle w/ your seafoam.  
To use; Fill the bike w/ gas on your way home.  Put seafoam into the juice bottle to the mark, then pour it into your tank.

[ConPilot1]

Here's my recipe for Seafoam.

Near empty tank of gas.
Dump in half a pint can.
Fill with gas.

Ride.

Seafoam is good stuff. I can notice a difference in the way the bike runs with the mix, seems to burn richer.
Bike will run better when you run the Seafoam out and refill with fresh gas.

[Thunderbox]

+1
I am convinced the US gas is of lesser quality than the stuff we get.

I have to agree the fuels are not the same.  Better I am not sure about.  I always get better mileage with US fuel but I don't get any knock on Canadian regular fuel.  So yes they are different but whos is better is a good question.

[bikefreak47]

I don't think many people are aware that Sea-Foam contains IPA (isopropyl alcohol) according to Fuel-testers. If you're already using ethanol "enhanced" gasoline, Sea-Foam adds more alcohol to your fuel. Not the direction most bike owners want to go.

[Dan K]

k100 is interesting stuff.  I bought some for when I store the Sprint.  Used seafoam when I stashed the Daytona away for the winter...

Seafoam in high dosages will cause the bike to smoke - will run better once clean gas run through AFTER a tank with seafoam.  I always run a second tank with seafoam when taking the bike out of storage, just, well, because.

- Dan

[ConPilot1]

I don't think many people are aware that Sea-Foam contains IPA (isopropyl alcohol) according to Fuel-testers. If you're already using ethanol "enhanced" gasoline, Sea-Foam adds more alcohol to your fuel. Not the direction most bike owners want to go.

It's for moisture absorption like a drygas additive. Sucks the moisture out of your gas and carries it for burn-off. An occasional shot of Seafoam isn't going to
add much to the detrimental effects of ethanol that we're pumping into our gas tanks every fill-up.