Motorcycle gas/fuel additive. Help me out please.?

Question

I just bought a 1974 Honda CB550. It runs pretty well but the guy I bought it from told me the gas in was old and untreated there is about a quarter tank left. What should I to? I don't want to run old gas through it.

My idea was to get a fuel stabilizer, put a third of the bottle in with the old gas. Then fill it up with premium. Is that a good idea? What do you reccomend?

Thanks,

Ed

Answer 1

Dump the gas via the fuel line or top it off with 93 pump gas .
After running it all off .... Add K100 G fule treatment to the next fill up .

Answer 2

Do not run a fuel additive through the motorcycle! Drain the old gas out first. On a motorcycle, this is very easy. There should be a gas line running from the tank to the carburetor. The tank may also have an on/off valve (called a petcock). If it does have one of these, make sure it is turned to off before removing the gas line. Remove the end leading to the carburetor then remove the tank. There should be a couple bolts holding the tank to the frame. Pull the tank off and then drain the old gas into a gas can. If you don't want to pull the tank off, you can hold a gas can up near the end of the gas line you just removed and open the valve to let the remaining gas drain. If you are mechanically savvy, you can drain the carburetor as well. In fact, I would highly recommend this step as well since the old gas has probably settled in the carb and may clog the jets. It is very simple to remove the carburetor and clean out the sludge from the old gas. Just remove it, take the float bowl cap off and clean with fresh gas and a parts brush. This is all very simple mechanics. If you are not comfortable doing the work, it might be worth taking to a small motorcycle shop and telling them you want the old gas drained. It's something they can do in about 30 minutes. What ever you do, don't put additive in the motor. It's not good for the valves and carb of a motorcycle.

Answer 3

Fuel Additives For Motorcycles

Answer 4

A repair manual will give you all of the how-to information that you will need to perform these simple maintenance procedures. This manual will also tell you the correct filters to use when replacing filters and other components. You can also check with your dealer for additional how-to information to help you get your bike ready for storage. Here are a few tips for preparing your motorcycle for winter storage. 1. Clean and wax the bike. A clean bike will keep grease, oil, dirt and corrosive materials from damaging the paint or parts of you motorcycle. 2. Park the bike in such a way that both tires are sitting on wood. This will protect the rubber from cracking or rotting. If the bike is outside for the winter months, you certainly do not want the rubber sitting on the ground where the tires can weather check or rot and crack. 3. Drain the oil and flush the crankcase. This will keep corrosive and gumming deposits from building up over the winter months. Replace the oil filter at this time while you are at it. You had just as well begin the spring with a new oil filter. 4. Lubricate the chain or shaft drive. This will prevent rust from forming that can damage the chain or shaft while the bike is in storage. 5. Drain the fuel from the fuel tank and the carburetor. Sediments in gasoline can clog fuel lines. Old fuel can create a harmful varnish on carburetor parts and fuel lines. Old gasoline can also get stringy, plugging carburetors and fuel line filters. 6. Go over the wiring. Run your fingers along all exposed wiring to check for cracks or breaks in the insulation. If any are found, repair or replace the defective wiring right away. While you are at it, be sure and check to make sure all wiring connections are corrosion free and tightly fitted together. 7. Disconnect and remove the battery. The battery will discharge during the winter months. The acid solution in the battery will freeze when the battery discharges. This freezing will crack or damage the battery case. You also want to make sure no one tries to start the bike while the crankcase is empty of oil. 8. Clean the battery cable connections. This is a good time to clean the battery cable connections and the battery posts. These connections can become glazed during use. Fine steel wool or a battery cleaner will brighten them back up. Once they are cleaned you can coat them with grease to seal them. This grease can be easily removed next spring. 9. Check the brakes. Check the wear on disc brakes and make sure the brake fluid reservoir is filled. 10. Clean or change the air filter. This is also a good time to clean and change the air filter. 11. Change your insurance policy. Most insurance companies offer special reduced rates for motorcycles that are in winter storage.

Answer 5

This is what I would do: First, disconnect the gas tank from the fuel line and drain the fuel completely out of it, then check the fuel filter and clean it if necessary, then fill the tank with regular unleaded. You don't want to run premium through a motorcycle because it'll develop a "memory" and won't run worth a darn on anything but premium.

You may also want to consider going to your nearest Honda dealer and ask them about tank liner kits. They usually come in two bottles -- the first bottle is a solvent that gets all the junk out of the tank, and the white liquid in the second bottle is a polymer that actually coats the tank and protects it from rust and corrosion. It's not that expensive and it only takes a day for the polymer to dry, and after that you don't have to worry about your tank rusting out. It's worth looking into.

Answer 6

Unless it has been sitting for more than a year dont worry. Fill the tank the rest of the way with whatever kind of gas you want (regular is absolutely fine) and run the bike as normal.

As long as you have a fuel filter any rust should settle out.

Any accumulated water/reacted fuel will burn up during combustion and will vapor out of your exhaust.

All treatement is BS, read the bottle. If the main ingredient ends in -ol, that means you're just adding more water to the tank, if it ends in -ane you're dumping more reactive hydrocarbons into it which is the same as filling it up.

Answer 7

Unless you can safely dispose of the old gas, just fill the tank the rest of the way with fresh gas and add a little carb/injector cleaner. Don't worry about what brand or what octane, IT DOESN"T MATTER, unless the owners manual calls for a specific minimum octane rating. Ask your dealer. Questions are free. Then run the hell out of it. Keep putting injector cleaner in it for a few more tanks. That'll do it. If you continue to have problems, you are goin to have to take the carbs off and get them cleaned and possibly rebuilt. REMEMBER, DON"T use a higher octane than you need. IT WON"T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE. You'll just be wasting money.

Answer 8

Since the bike has been sitting without a full tank of gas, the tank can have rust inside. Look inside the tank with a flashlight. If you see any rust, install an inline fuel filter.

Answer 9

ive owned many older hondas,and the best ,fastest,thing is to remove the tank...its very easy,turn off fuel petcock,remove fuel line,simply lift off tank(no bolts)dump out gas,rinse real good with kerosene or fresh gas(kerosene is better)put tank back on and fill it!....as for the premium question..I ALWAYS use premium in any motorcycle..there is a difference..and since the gas mileage is so good why not?..i even use it in my push mower!...(a honda...the best mower i ever owned)

Answer 10

Just drain the old gas out and put mid-range gas in it. I would NOT use premium as the bike took leaded gas in '74. the mid range will help rid it of build up without drying out all of your seals. I would also concider buying a lead additive for it until you can get it adjusted to accept the newer gasolines.