High Altitude, and "Summer Winterizing"...

Two things:

In ZAMM, and in a Youtube video of a guy who does lots of great videos on old japanese motorcycle related topics, high altitude causing poor running was brought up. On the trip I'm planning to Costa Rica, there will definitely be some high altitude riding--probably a substantial quantity of riding at those altitudes, and very high altitudes (7000+ ft).

Should I bring along different sized jets? Just deal with the rich mix and bring spare spark plugs? What would you do? Least invasive, least expensive, and easiest solutions get premiums--but chief of all is minimal parts/tools needed to bring along, and least risk of screwing other stuff up. I'd love to learn all possible solutions just in the nature of making this thread more valuable for research purposes for others in the future and for the sake of acquiring knowledge, though!

SECOND QUESTION
I'm going to leave my bike in a garage in Costa Rica for a couple months--2 to 6, probably, with a slim chance of leaving it there longer. What all should I do to best prep it for storage, and what will be the procedure when I start it again after the break?

 

1st of all, I ride my bike at 7K elevation all the time and even higher.
I never had to swap out plugs but I dont stay up there too long... a day or so.
If I were you and my bike ran right, I'd take an extra set of plugs and a plug wrench. Rejetting is expensive and in my opinion unnecessary.

I'd put a few ounces of Seafoam in the tank and be sure the fuel is shut off.
Be sure to leave the tank full when you park it to prevent condensation, at 7K elev the temps can swing pretty good.

Have fun!

 

If you have your Pilot Screw settings written down, you can screw them in as needed, an even amount across all 4, then later return to "normal".

Bring a bottle of StaBil and treat the full tank, make sure you run some into the carbs. Battery on a "float" tender.
-or-
dry-store the carbs by draining them & spray a silicone lube in, and drain again. Disconnect the fuel line and plug BOTH open ends. (wasps)

Spray the whole bike down with the silicone spray to protect from salt air.
Oily rags in the air intake and muffler tips.

 

Those are some great tips, thanks guys.

If I don't have a float tender, what's the next best option? I'm not sure of the voltage down there, and it's kind of heavy to bring considering I'm traveling light, and I don't know if I could find one. Might be best to just bring one anyways.

My battery works great right now, but how can I check to get an idea of how much life (months/years left in it) my battery has? It's from the PO, so I don't know its history.

You mean spray silicon over the engine, carbs, boots, fuel filter cover--everything? I've never done anything with silicon spray, what will the residue from that be? Will I need to clean it off when I come back to it, or does it soak in, or dry, or what?

 

Don't change any jetting even if you have access to the pilot screws. I have ridden to over 14,000 feet with no problems except loss of power due to thin air.

I don't know what disconnecting the fuel line is supposed to do.

 

Forget the silicone and if you need a charger just get a little trickle charger to maintain your battery. They are small and weight is minimal.
If your float bowl drain screws can be opened, the drain the fuel from the bowls but 1st turn off the fuel to the carbs or better yet drain the fuel into a small gas can.
If it's more than a couple of months, don't reuse the gas, just replace it.

If you are going to plug the intakes, you will need tools... just plug off the exhaust to keep critters out.
Since the bike will be in a garage, I wouldn't worry about the silicone spray all over as it will be a pain to clean up later and make dust stick to everything.
Have fun and keep it safe!!!