How long does it take for fuel to go off?

[michael j]

I know that fuel can go 'off' but I don't know how long it takes?
Any ideas? Are we talking months or years?
Thanks
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Ducati 996

[Whosthedaddy]

Years, if you are intending to leave a bike for a while just put some fuel preservative in the tank to prevent 'gumming' up the carbs. Only costs a fiver or so
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[Bomberman]

Mine was left for nearly seven months (no additives, just parked up and left). Started second kick
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'Allo! My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!
'89 TZR 125 - '94 GPZ500s - ZK3 GSXR600 Alstare

[stinkwheel]

Although I've seen it go off in a few months. A lot has to do with how exposed to the air it is. A half empty tank will go off a lot quicker than a brim-full one.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Pete.]

Started and ran a bike on 6-year-old fuel no problems before. As above, it depends on the way it's stored and in what location. Park a black bike outside with little fuel in it and the light elements will be boiled-off by the sun much faster than a covered up bike or one with a full tank. If the Fuel cock is turned off then fuel will evaporate from the bowls over time and leave a gummy varnish.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[michael j]

Thanks for the info.
Theres about 7 litres in a jerry can, been there since my last trackday in September. I'm a tight git so don't want to dispose of it, but don't want the bike to run like a bag of shite at Silverstone on Monday either.
What do you reckon?
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Ducati 996

[skida]

[michael j]

[stinkwheel]

Just smell it. Stale petrol smells bloody awfull and not at all like petrol.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Jamie S]

I wont put petrol in my TLR if its been in the can more than 2 weeks, because it affects the performance , so I just stick it in the car and then by fresh stuff on the day of the comp.

[Pete.]

I suspect your very-high-compression trials bike is more susceptible to bad fuel than the avegarge bike engine.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Jamie S]

[DynaMight]

I recently drained the tank on my ZX6R because it had been in there since Sept....Stuck it in the SP1 so not to waste it

It really depends on conditions, over summer it'll go off alot faster.
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My bikes are at https://www.bikepics.com/members/dynamight/

[skida]

[tokarev]

[Pete.]

[stinkwheel]

Best bet is to either add fuel stabiliser to the tank and run it through the carbs or switch the fuel off and drain the float bowls.

Most modern bikes have vacuum taps, the fuel tap is 'off' when the engine is switched off anyway, regardless of what it says on the side of the tap.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[tokarev]

Oh okay! Thanks guys.