Post Winter Maintenance - SV650.org

15-02-10, 01:37 PM

My X Reg, SV650 has been off road for a couple of months, it starts and runs OK, but I am slightly paranoid about old fuel in the system. Is there a fuel additive worth using to clean the system. I intend changing the plugs and oil, but is there anything else worth doing to keep the bike running smoothly. Any tips would be appreciated........Cheers.

Taipan · 15-02-10, 02:45 PM

Rather than use a fuel additive why not just use a fuel that has additives such as Shell V-Power. I wouldn't worry too much about the old fuel, just top it up and use the bike.

15-02-10, 03:46 PM

Yup, fresh fuel. V-power has extra detergents to clean out your fuel system.

Get a couple of tankfulls through...say a days riding or two, cover about 300 miles?

Biker Biggles · 15-02-10, 03:52 PM

Does it start and run?If so start it and run/ride it,the more the better,then put fresh fuel in and run/ride it some more.

fastdruid · 15-02-10, 05:04 PM

A lot of people go on about "stale" fuel, the big problem is not the fuel so much as when it evaporates in the carbs and leaves a varnishy crud behind that blocks jets etc. The tank otoh is sealed remember!
I've never bothered with fuel being a few months old only when it gets to a year+ do I start to bother.

As long as you either keep the carbs topped up or drained (tricky I know on the SV) the only time I've had issues is with leaving a bike a year and a few tankfuls got it playing nicely again. Get out and ride it, you may want to stick some premium in for the first tank just for the extra detergents they give.

Druid

Mr Speirs · 16-02-10, 08:19 AM

As fastdruid says. Fuel doesn't go bad for ages. Like a year or even more. Don't worry about it.

16-02-10, 09:14 AM

Thanks for the info, an excuse to get out in the sunshine today !!

15-02-10, 01:37 PM	#1
John Mc Guest Posts: n/a	Post Winter Maintenance My X Reg, SV650 has been off road for a couple of months, it starts and runs OK, but I am slightly paranoid about old fuel in the system. Is there a fuel additive worth using to clean the system. I intend changing the plugs and oil, but is there anything else worth doing to keep the bike running smoothly. Any tips would be appreciated........Cheers.

15-02-10, 02:45 PM	#2
Taipan Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Basildon, Essex Posts: 785	Re: Post Winter Maintenance Rather than use a fuel additive why not just use a fuel that has additives such as Shell V-Power. I wouldn't worry too much about the old fuel, just top it up and use the bike.

15-02-10, 03:46 PM	#3
Alpinestarhero Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Post Winter Maintenance Yup, fresh fuel. V-power has extra detergents to clean out your fuel system. Get a couple of tankfulls through...say a days riding or two, cover about 300 miles?

15-02-10, 03:52 PM	#4
Biker Biggles Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Barnet Herts Posts: 5,071	Re: Post Winter Maintenance Does it start and run?If so start it and run/ride it,the more the better,then put fresh fuel in and run/ride it some more. __________________ On a clear day we stand there and look further than the ordinary eye can see.

15-02-10, 05:04 PM	#5
fastdruid Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: W Mids Posts: 2,037	Re: Post Winter Maintenance A lot of people go on about "stale" fuel, the big problem is not the fuel so much as when it evaporates in the carbs and leaves a varnishy crud behind that blocks jets etc. The tank otoh is sealed remember! I've never bothered with fuel being a few months old only when it gets to a year+ do I start to bother. As long as you either keep the carbs topped up or drained (tricky I know on the SV) the only time I've had issues is with leaving a bike a year and a few tankfuls got it playing nicely again. Get out and ride it, you may want to stick some premium in for the first tank just for the extra detergents they give. Druid __________________ '00 SV700S - '94 RVF400R - '97 RVF400R - '88 VFR750F

16-02-10, 08:19 AM	#6
Mr Speirs Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Northampton Posts: 2,218	Re: Post Winter Maintenance As fastdruid says. Fuel doesn't go bad for ages. Like a year or even more. Don't worry about it. __________________ Smokey Black Burnty 02 - Racetech Smoulderlators + .90kg BBQ Springs, zx10r shockingly toasted, Conti Road Attacks heat up very nicely, R&G Crash Bungs but what f**king use are they, No Colour Matched Hugger, Flame Extenda, Beowulf Titainium Oval Flame Thrower.

16-02-10, 09:14 AM	#7
John Mc Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Post Winter Maintenance Thanks for the info, an excuse to get out in the sunshine today !!

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