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[RoadKingHog]

I have an 08 FLHRSE4 (Road King) with 6 gallon fuel tank approximately half full.  The bike will sit in the garage unused until around January/February (starting last month) until I recover from recent surgery.  (I have the battery on a trickle charge.)

Should I add a fuel additive product to prevent condensation buildup in the tank or prevent gumming up the fuel injectors?  I'll be able to start the bike in-place for short periods.

Any recommendations??

thanks,
DS

[VaEagle]

I would say definitely use a fuel stabilizer and fill the tank up all the way to prevent water vapor getting in the gas tank from temperature changes.
DO NOT periodically run the motor, you may think you are keeping things lubed but again you will just get the motor slightly warm but not warm enough to burn off water vapor in the motor. If you run the motor in short periods you will increase the breakdown of the oil and actually speed up rusting inside the motor.
If you haven't cleaned the bike before storage you should try to wash and heavily wax the whole bike to help protect the finish.Don't use a bike cover unless you can guarantee it will breathe so water vapor won't form under the cover and cause rust spots. If you can afford it one of the H-D clear plastic storage bubbles that inflate with a fan and have an air filter is nice.
As you have mentioned a battery tender is important to use as well.
Good luck with your recovery!

[Gecko]

I'd run it one time - after you put the stabilizer in.  Otherwise what is in the pump, lines and injectors will be untreated.  Mine sits throught five or six months of winter with no problems yet.

[Boatman]

Do as VaEagle and Gecko stated and you will be fine.  Ride to the gas station, add the additive, ride home, hook up battery tender, and don't start til you have healed up.

[Fired00d]

I use the MoCo fuel stabilizer in the winter but I still try to ride the bike once a month weather permitting.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[RoadKingHog]

Thanks.  I appreciate the input.  I hadn't considered topping off the tank.  Any recommendations on additive brand??  I imagine Harley must make one; I've seen aftermarket products in magazines (Amsoil.)  I fully detailed the bike after the last time I used it, so it's good and do have a good quality HD cover which is vented.  I had already factored not running the bike for too short a period of time since it would only "warm" the bike and create more condensation.

thanks,
DS

[Talon]

SeaFoam, K-100, Sta-bil, I have heard some mixed reviews on Sta-bil, but know people that swear by it.

Craig

[Heatwave]

I'd run it one time - after you put the stabilizer in.  Otherwise what is in the pump, lines and injectors will be untreated.  Mine sits throught five or six months of winter with no problems yet.

I'm not so sure that running the bike after you've added fuel stabilizer is of any benefit. The purpose of fuel stabilizer is to rise to the surface of the fuel and provide a barrier to the volatiles in the fuel to prevent them from evaporating. That's why such a small amount can stabilize the fuel.

[dave29]

It's designed to prevent moisture in the fuel and keep the fuel fresh. It also needs to be run through the fuel system to prevent varnish build up so yes, run it after to your tank. Probably 10 miles or so.

[Heatwave]

It's designed to prevent moisture in the fuel and keep the fuel fresh. It also needs to be run through the fuel system to prevent varnish build up so yes, run it after to your tank. Probably 10 miles or so.

After reading up on how it works you are correct. Supposedly surrounds the "fuel molecules" and maintains their stability and prevents "gumming". Thanks for the correction.

[49445CVO]

Thanks.  I appreciate the input.  I hadn't considered topping off the tank.  Any recommendations on additive brand??  I imagine Harley must make one; I've seen aftermarket products in magazines (Amsoil.)  I fully detailed the bike after the last time I used it, so it's good and do have a good quality HD cover which is vented.  I had already factored not running the bike for too short a period of time since it would only "warm" the bike and create more condensation.

thanks,
DS

Staybil

http://www.goldeagle.com/brands/stabil/default.aspx

[jayray00SERG]

Stabil new formula for ethanol fuel. We shall see how it works...

[grc]

I have an 08 FLHRSE4 (Road King) with 6 gallon fuel tank approximately half full.  The bike will sit in the garage unused until around January/February (starting last month) until I recover from recent surgery.  (I have the battery on a trickle charge.)

Should I add a fuel additive product to prevent condensation buildup in the tank or prevent gumming up the fuel injectors?  I'll be able to start the bike in-place for short periods.

Any recommendations??

thanks,
DS

1.  Definitely add a stabilizer (I personally use Sta-bil) and fill the tank completely.
2.  If you can do so, this would be a good time to change all the fluids, especially the motor oil. 
3.  Once the bike is "winterized", resist the urge to fire it up every once in awhile.  Much better idea is to use a fogging oil to treat the cylinders when you store the bike, and then leave it alone until you take it out of storage.
4.  Make sure your charger is a "smart" version and not a constant current type.  A smart charger will sense battery condition and only charge as required, so you won't have to worry about overcharging and ruining the battery.
5.  If possible, support the bike with the tires off the ground.  If you can't, then try to move the bike a little every couple weeks to keep the tires from flat spotting.  They won't necessarily develop permanent flat spots, but they might ride a little funny when you go for that first ride if you let them sit for months in the same position.  And make sure they are fully inflated.

Jerry

[RoadKingHog]

Thanks for the input Jerry.  I hadn't thought about rotating the tires.  Too late for fluid changes since I'm off the bike but it only had approximately 1000 miles since the last oil change.

Sta-Bil seems to be the most common recommended stabilizer.  Any opinion on Seafoam brand??

Thanks for your interest.

DS

[grc]

I've known many folks who swear by Sea Foam, but I've never used it myself so I can't honestly give it a thumbs up or thumbs down.  I seriously doubt it would still have a major presence in the marketplace if it wasn't any good, however. 


Jerry