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[Sinker]

My buddy just built a home with a walkout basement and has offered to let me store my bike in it for the winter. His only concern is that I drain the gas before we do that, which is understandable. Are there any negative consequences to draining the gas out? I have heard that it could cause your tank to rust inside.

[mark]

You'd want to store it with a full tank with a fuel stabilizer. 

[Mr. Warlock]

Not a good idea. Rubber "o" rings / seals will dry out and become cracked and brittle. Gas tank can rust especially if there might be temperature swings enough to cause condensation on the inside of the tank.

It's also a good idea to start the bike every 3 - 4 weeks, can't do that without fuel. Make sure to add fuel stabilizer with this garbage ethanol fuel we jammed down our throats.

[08glide]

I understand the concern for having gas in the house. I've kept bikes inside for yrs. unless you are leaking, there shouldn't be fumes. people stand around bikes,cars, mowers, etc smoking while talking. as stated, I wouldn't store it empty,even in the house. if that's the only option, rent a storage unit.

[dayne66]

Insurance company may insist that the fuel be drained for storage in 'living area' of house.

[FLY-DOG]

Never store a bike with an empty gas tank; Top it off with fuel and use a fuel stabilizer like Sea Foam or Stay-Bil.  If your friend insists on draining the tank, I'd find another storage location.

[BritGuy]

Agreed that a full tank with stabilizer is the best option. Its petrol vapour which is combustable, rather than the liquid itself so a full (liquid tight) tank is safer than one which may not be fully drained. I left mine un-started in a heated garage for 4 months and started first crank. 

[doublerunner]

Store with a full tank. But do not start it inside over the winter. Leave it on a tender and it will be fine. Starting it causes it to heat up slightly, but not to running temps, and then as it cools you will get some condensation. Best to wait to start it until you're ready to take it out next year

[RAINEY]

Store with a full tank. But do not start it inside over the winter. Leave it on a tender and it will be fine. Starting it causes it to heat up slightly, but not to running temps, and then as it cools you will get some condensation. Best to wait to start it until you're ready to take it out next year

X's 2.  If you can't get it to full operating temp then it's best not to start it at all.

[bakon]

x3

[Ridgerunr]

There's always fumes present, gas tanks have vents, either through the cap or a hose. The fumes stay low, and a hot water tank or furnace igniting will be enough to light the fumes and start a fire.

Starting a bike in a cold garage for only a few minutes (don't let it run longer=air cooled and overheat) is not good builds condensation inside the motor, which will then rust, and the oil gets milky. As stated put it on a tender and wait until you can take it out for a ride.

[RayG]

Ridgerunr,  could you please explain how a hot water tank or a furnace would be enough to light the fumes and start a fire.  My next house will have a walk out basement and I plan to store everything I own that needs to be winterized in the basement to avoid servicing all the equipment.  I have friends that do the same and you can't even smell any fumes at all.  My two son's are HVAC Techs and they do the same but put the equipment with fuel at the opposite end.  How about guys with heated garages that rebuild all kinds of fuel burning equipment.

Not arguing just want more info.

[dayne66]

Once again, I'll mention the insurance company.

IF a fire were to happen, even with the source totally unrelated to the 'full of fuel stored bike(s)', the insurance company would(could) make things very difficult.

[Fired00d]

I keep my motorcycle in my walkout basement  (don't have a garage) along with lawnmower, and gas leaf blower. I will add the caveat that I have electric utilities (water heater and heat pump). Normally functioning gas water heaters and furnaces shouldn't cause you any problems... if they were to malfunction (burp) a big flame and there were fumes there "might/could" be an issue. How many garages are there with gas utilities  (water heater/furnace) located in them?... Many. Also every car dealer and motorcycle dealer you go to has vehicles inside with fuel in them... in the showroom, and in the service area. Under normal conditions there is a risk but that risk is minimum IMO.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Dan_Lockwood]

My buddy just built a home with a walkout basement and has offered to let me store my bike in it for the winter. His only concern is that I drain the gas before we do that, which is understandable. Are there any negative consequences to draining the gas out? I have heard that it could cause your tank to rust inside.

Sinker,

I'm not sure what bike you have, so this may not be relevant to your bike as much as some other model.

I just bought a new J&M front amp and was in the process of installing it and in the instructions is says to remove the tank and run the power wires back to the battery.

I thought this would be a BIG deal and it was really easy.  Two front bolts and the two under the front of the seat were all that holds it on.  I have an '09 SERG and on that year touring, not sure about other years, the only fuel line is the main from the tank to the injectors.  This is a push up quick disconnect and it popped of easily without narry a drop of gas.  The tank lifted off at that point.

If it were my bike in your neighbor's basement, I would fill the tank and then pull it off and take it home and store it in the shed or garage and not worry about it.

Fired00d, I think if your insurance agent knew that you stored your mower, bike and gas cans etc in your house, they might have to say something about it.  Let's face it, a small electrical fire someplace and then catch your bike on fire with a full tank of gas, that would do tons of more damage to your house that may have been able to be saved without the accelerant of the gas.