Hi guys,
know most of the things I need to do, but do I drain the carbs, or run the bike till it dies from fuel starvation.
Or run it every week for a few minutes?
My inclination is to switch the fuel off and drain it by running.
All views appreciated, thanks

I'd drain the carbs then run it. Then put a tender on the battery.

Run the engine up to temperature, then switch off the petrol.
Now run until the fan switches on, and carbs run dry.

DO NOT run the engine for a few minutes, if you want to run it up over the winter, repeat the above method.

I don't use optimate type chargers, just the old fixed current with ammeter type.
I check the battery state every 2 months by spinning the engine over on the starter, i keep spinning the engine over with the kill switch off until the oil pressure light goes out.

arsey30 wrote:Run the engine up to temperature, then switch off the petrol.
Now run until the fan switches on, and carbs run dry.

DO NOT run the engine for a few minutes, if you want to run it up over the winter, repeat the above method.

I don't use optimate type chargers, just the old fixed current with ammeter type.
I check the battery state every 2 months by spinning the engine over on the starter, i keep spinning the engine over with the kill switch off until the oil pressure light goes out.

Dave

Does running it dry actually drain all the fuel from the carbs? Or do I need to get a piece of tube on the drain from the float bowls and losen the screw to fully drain them? I don't want a repeat of the hassle I had getting my carbs set up right, and you'll remember those problems

Soon to be starting the "strip down and clean everything" for my winter evenings fun, so this will be the first thing I need to get right

Cheers

Where you can get to the drain screws, then even better, as there will be a small amount of fuel left in the bottom of the bowls, which will evaporate, but not enough to leave enough sediment/varnish/corrosion to prevent starting.
I have used the above method for the last 15 years with no bother, except 1 time and " easy start" got it running without a carb strip.

Leaving carbs full for a few years can be a disaster.