Storing an Empty Motorcycle Gas Tank?

Storing the motorbike is crucial when you don’t have any plans to ride your motorbike anytime soon. Now the question arises, what is it like when storing an empty motorcycle gas tank?

Some riders claim to store motorcycles only when emptying the motorbike gas tank. Still, it’s not always correct because it’s unable to empty the gas in the gas tank. Motorbike gas contains a minute amount of ethanol which starts to freeze when the temperature hits sub-zero and harms the motorbike gas tank and fuel lines.

Let’s consider what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know everything about storing the empty motorbike gas tank. 

Storing an Empty Motorcycle Gas Tank? 

Winterising the motorbike is a crucial component, especially when winter is around the corner, and that’s why the question arises, is storing an empty motorcycle gas tank good? 

Some riders claim to store motorcycles only when emptying the motorbike gas tank. Still, it’s not always correct because it’s unable to empty the gas in the gas tank. Motorbike gas contains a minute amount of ethanol which starts to freeze when the temperature hits sub-zero and harms the motorbike gas tank and fuel lines.

Even if you empty your motorbike gas tank, there’ll be a minute of ethanol amount present which you can never clean. 

What if You Don’t Empty the Motorbike Gas Tank?  

Indeed, storing the motorbike after emptying the gas tank is what most riders do, but what happens if you don’t empty the gas tank? 

Suppose you don’t empty the motorbike gas tank. In that case, the cold wind will start to freeze the motorbike’s gas content, especially the ethanol. There’ll be minute ice crystals formation making the walls expand thus damaging the wall of the motorbikes tank and fuel lines. 

Also, your motorbike will also suffer from rusting and corrosion because of wind having moisture content. Unfortunately, this simple phenomenon makes the riders to empty the motorbike gas tank and guess they’re mistaken. 

How to Properly Store the Motorcycle Gas Tank? 

So far, you understand the basic science behind the phenomena of ice crystal formation in the motorbike gas tank. Now the question arises, how to properly store a motorcycle gas tank. 

By not applying the bro science and listening to the expert advice, you don’t need to empty the motorbike gas tank while storing the motorcycle in winter. Even experts recommend filling the 90% gas tank with fuel and filling the rest of the space with antifreeze. And don’t forget to ride a motorbike a bit to rotate the mixture in the engine. 

Doing this will ensure that there won’t be any ice crystal formation in the gas tank and fuel lines. 

Do Storing the Motorcycle Gas Tank Prevent Rust? 

So far, you understand that storing the motorcycle properly by adding the fuel stabilizer or antifreeze can prevent ice crystal formation. Now the question arises, does storing the motorcycle gas tank prevent rust? 

Fortunately, adding the antifreeze to the motorbike gas tank prevents the gas tank from rusting because of the high density of antifreeze fluid. Antifreeze fluid is denser than gas, making the antifreeze fluid settle at the ground of the gas tank. 

This settling process absorbs the minute moisture amount, thus preventing the motorbike gas tank from rusting and corrosion. 

Can You Choose Any Antifreeze Fluid? 

Indeed motorbike antifreeze fluid can protect the motorbike from the attack of corrosion and rusting. Now, can you choose any antifreeze fluid for your motorbike? 

According to experts, you shouldn’t choose any antifreeze fluid blindly. You should only choose absolute antifreeze fluid, which does not contain any trace of water in it. It’s more crucial when storing the motorbike for a long time without damage. 

Even experts recommend never adding water to the gas tank when touring the motorbike as it causes reverse side effects, including ice crystal formation and rusting. 

What if You Store an Empty Motorcycle Tank in an Unheated Garage? 

So far, you understand that you should choose an antifreeze fluid that doesn’t contain any trace of water to prevent the gas tank from rusting and ice crystal formation. Now the question arises, what if you store the empty motorcycle tank in an unheated garage? 

Suppose you store the empty motorcycle gas tank in an unheated garage. In that case, your motorbike gas tank will suffer from all the problems otherwise motorbikes have to face when storing the motorbike outside. 

Storing the motorbike in an unheated garage can also protect the motorbike from UV rays exposure but fails to prevent the gas tank from the cold. It’s advisable if you want to prevent the motorbike from the cold. You should go with the heated motorcycle garage or garage, which comes with an insulating layer. 

The best way you can also protect the motorbike from the cold is by storing the motorbike in the apartment, or the best you can do is to add antifreeze fluid to the gas tank. 

However, you’ll have to scrutinize your motorbike at regular intervals if you store the motorbike in an unheated garage.

Does Cleaning the Motorcycle Gas Tank Protect the Motorbike Gas Tank? 

Indeed you can protect the motorbike by putting the antifreeze fluid in the motorbike gas tank. Now the question arises, does cleaning the motorcycle gas tank protect the motorbike’s empty gas tank? 

Cleaning the motorbike gas tank only helps if it’s well-cleaned and doesn’t contain any trace of ethanol and water. But if you’re unsure about cleaning, you shouldn’t take the risk and fill the motorbike gas tank with the fuel and antifreeze fluid. 

The antifreeze fluid will decrease the freezing point of fuel and will also prevent the motorbike gas tank from rusting. 

How to Prevent Ice Crystal Formation in the Gas Tank?

Indeed you don’t want to ride a motorbike in the winter because of ice crystal formation. Now the question arises, how to prevent ice crystal formation in the gas tank? 

You can prevent the ice crystal formation in the motorbike gas tank by inserting the antifreeze fluid in the motorbike gas tank along with the motorbike gas, which decreases the freezing point significantly, thus protecting the motorbike gas tank. 

By decreasing the freezing point of motorbike gas, you can rest assured that your motorbike will be prevented from the attack of ice crystals forming the gas tank and gas lines. 

What Amount of Antifreeze Fluid from Ice Crystals?

So far, you understand that you need to insert some antifreeze fluid to protect your motorbike from the attack of cold. Now the interesting question arises, what amount of antifreeze fluid should you add to prevent the motorbike from ice crystal formation? 

You must fill the 90% motorbike gas tank with gasoline and the rest of the space with antifreeze fluid. It’s because adding more antifreeze fluid in the motorbike gas tank would interface with the motorbike starting. If you add less antifreeze, there would be a chance of ice crystal formation. 

However, you need to ensure that the antifreeze should be 100% concentrated and doesn’t contain any traces of water in it. 

Also, read my previous post where I discussed what happens if you ever forget to winterize your motorbike, CLICK HERE to read.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

What is it like when storing an empty motorcycle gas tank? Some riders claim to store your motorcycle only when emptying the motorbike gas tank. Still, it’s not always correct because no one can 100% empty the ethanol amount in the gas tank. Motorbike gas contains a minute amount of ethanol which starts to freeze when the temperature hits sub-zero and harms the motorbike gas tank and fuel lines.

I’ve also mentioned ways to store the motorcycle and avoid rusting and crystal formation in fuel lines and gas tanks.