Rainman

I just finished fixing this problem on my girlfriends 450 Rebel. She had fuel pouring out the bottom of her carb (vent line) and the bike was running very rough and not wanting to stay running. What had happened was the person she bought it from, had it sitting for a long time with old gas sitting in the carb and tank. It had soured, turned green and gummed up everything! The float was stuck, the needle wasn't seating, and there was sludge floating around in the tank. So a carb kit, and cleaning and flush of the tank and it is running good again. **Remember to always turn your gas tank off and run the carb out of gas before storing it for an extended period of time! It will save you the cost and headache later!

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ZepRider

Is it true? If you run it out of fuel is there really NO FUEL in that carburetor at all? None??? Dry as a bone???? Bowl and all?????

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“The meek may inherit the Earth. The weak will hand it to them.” - ZepRider



2008 Honda Rebel - Garage | Pictures

Turbosully

There is a flat head screw on the side of the bowl, turn it out and it will drain the bowl empty.

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My bikes ... for now
2007 Suzuki M50
2006 Honda Rebel
2005 KTM SX85
1996 YZ 250

Rainman

As far as I know, but if you have concerns, unscrewing the drain plug on the carb to make sure wouldn't hurt just in case. I'm no mechanic, but I have always done this with every bike and sled I have ever owned and never had any problems on start up the next season or next year. Adding fuel stabilizer also is a good idea. Someone told me once that gas now-a-days has a shelf life of only 3 months before it starts turning bad?!?

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ZepRider

What I have been doing for winter storage is capturing 2.7 gallons of Summer Blend fuel, adding Stabil and waiting for winter. I run the bike completely out of fuel and add the new Stabil-ized fuel to completely fill the tank, run the bike for a few miles and top it off.

I turn on the petcock once a week to make sure the bowl stays full.

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“The meek may inherit the Earth. The weak will hand it to them.” - ZepRider



2008 Honda Rebel - Garage | Pictures

flitecontrol

Until I read the label, I wasn't aware that Stabil has a two year shelf life once it's opened. It's cheaper than Sea Foam, but Sea Foam stabilizes fuel, removes deposits (gum/varnish) and moisture and has other applications as well. So if you use Stabil, be aware of the shelf life issue.

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I'm keepin' all the left over parts. I'm gonna use 'em to build another bike!

2001 Rebel 250, 1989 Vulcan 750
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