Carb cleaner in gas..

So someone mentioned to be that it might be good to put some carb cleaner in my gas.

Although the bike is running well I do have an idle issue where my sweet spot on the choke is microscopic.

Can I get some advice on if this is a good idea or what other gas additives are worthwhile and/or not damaging to these antique bikes.

R./
( XJ650 Maxim 1981 )

 

Don't put carb cleaner in the gas. Use a fuel additive like Stabil or Seafoam. I've used Stabil but I prefer and use Seafoam now.

Gary H.

 

What's the best process with the sea foam - can I just pour the whole can in a almost full tank? Do I need to bypass the vacuum (i.e. petcock on PRI).

Should i expect the bike to smoke while it's working?

 

No!

Do not pour the entire bottle in. You only need 3-5 ounces for a few gallons of fuel. The only way I'd dump an entire bottle in my tank would be if it were in my Suburban's 42 gallon tank.

The bottle should have a note as to how much to add per gallon of fuel.

It may take multiple treatments. But it will start to clear up the fuel passages, if they're not completely clogged.

 

Oh right - read the label - damn it I always forget that

Should I expect the bike to do anything unusual with this stuff in it - besides start to run better? Smoke? What about my fuel filter and vacuum?

 

It should not smoke when added to fuel. That mostly happens when it's placed in the intake via vacuum hose or through the carb.

 

are you going to ride it or is this for the winter? do you even have a winter there?

 

Buy inexpensive liquid measuring cup (dollar tree) for easy measuring. One ounce per gallon (it's on the can). Like wink said 3 - 5 ounces every other tank full or so. A can holds 16 ounces (i think). The biggest differences i've seen is how much smoother she runs and how the fuel burns when i check the plugs. Make sure you're getting Seafoam fuel additive and not Seafoam penetrating fluid or Seafoam carbon cleaner. Imo they're all good products. Hope this helps.

Gary H.

P.S. - imo put in gas tank only. That's all it'll need.

 

Sorry for the stupid questions - just looking for easy answers. I read the can and added it - seems to have improved things already even just on a 10 min ride.

Yes Polock we do have a winter in Virginia - quite hash actually. I'm trying to get as much riding in as I can before the snow hits. Do you recommend using this differently for storing the bike over winter?

 

Stupid questions don't exist here (unless we're poking fun with one another). The can should tell you how much to use for longer storage.

Gary H.

 

i don't think seafoam is for storage, you want sta-bil or i've used quality 2 stroke oil.

 

yes it does stabilize fuel too! up to two years, according to their website.

http://seafoamsales.com/sea-foam-motor-treatment/
CN

 

I think of Seafoam as preventative medicine, not a cure. Take your carbs to the "Church Of Clean" then use Seafoam as holy water to keep them free of sin.
Polock, head a 100 miles North and you'll see what winter is.
"Hi, boys and girls. Can you say...Lake Effect?"

 

According to this it's kinda serves both - http://seafoamsales.com/sea-foam-motor-treatment/why-sea-foam-motor-treatment-works/

 

Exactly.

Gary H.

 

If I wanted a motorcycle free of sin I'd buy a Harley...

 

I've never rode one so i wouldn't know. I'm not a band wagon type dude (not saying you are). I try not to knock things i haven't tried in order to establish my own opinion. A well built bike is a well built bike. I work in construction around some long toothed harley dudes. Some have stated they still have and ride their jap bikes. Enough said.

Gary H.

 

Just making a joke. I don't have a lot of time for Harleys personally but each to their own.

 

You CAN expect some smoke as impurities and junk get flushed through and burn up, so don't be surprised if you do get some----

5 inches of snow the other night.... Nope, not out on any of the bikes this weekend---

 

Yeah I got a little bit and it really seamed to work - added it - ran the bike - saw some white-ish smoke which stopped after about 2 mins, bike runs better now.

Well - whatdoyaknow!

 

That would most Likely have been some water the got dispersed then burned out..... Usually garbage stuff burns blackish