As the riding season gets back underway, people are starting to pull their bikes out of storage and head out to the open road.
One thing to check if your bike has been sitting all summer is the Gasoline in the tank.

There are 4 ways gasoline can go bad…

1. Evaporation: When gasoline evaporates it’s the part with the highest flashpoint that evaporates first leaving the much less potent part behind. If as little as 10% of the fuel evaporates, what is left may not even ignite with a spark. This can make your bike difficult if not impossible to start.
2. Oxidation (Gum Formation): Just like metal, gasoline can oxidize. That is to combine with Oxygen. This turns gas into a varnish like crud that smells rancid.
3. Microbial Activity: Yes, little creepy crawly things can actually live in your gas. Well, they are actually living in the barrier between the water and gasoline. Remember gas and water don’t mix but the space between the two is a fun place to live.

What can you do to prevent this…?

If you have no other choice than to leave a bike sit then the best way to help prevent fuel system problems is to use a fuel stabilizer and keep the tank full. There are many fuel stabilizers on the market and most of them will extend the life of stored gasoline by 3 to 5 times. Follow the manufactures instructions, which include adding the proper amount to your tank then running the bike to circulate the stabilizer into the fuel system. Keeping the tank full reduces the surface area that is exposed to air and moisture. If you believe you have bad gas, have your mechanic check it out before you ride. Attempting to run your bike on bad gas may do damage to your engine.

Ton-Up Motorcycles
2729 E. Indian School Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85016-6855
602-778-6687
www.tonupmotorcycles.com