How is the best way to store a gas tank?

[Jreed615]

I recently found a PERFECT gas tank for my bike. This gas tank was bought brand new and never installed. The inside of the tank is spotless. How is the best way to store my tank in the winter? I would love for it to stay just like new for awhile,

[Re-run]

If it is unused, I would get a large, air-tight bag and put some desiccant in it to capture moisture and then remove as much air as possible and seal it. that would be the best way. I think anyways.

[Jreed615]

It is currently on the bike, however I was considering taking it off draining the gas and bringing it in the house for the winter.

[LukeM]

I would drain the tank, put in some very pure isopropyl alcohol, swish it around, drain it as dry as possible, bag the tank, and use some dessicant. That should put it in good shape for the winter. The idea is to keep as few water molecules in the environment as possible.

Another option if it's available is to replace the oxygen and/or water with nitrogen.  Being an inert gas, rust won't form in that environment. Some tire shops will fill your tires with nitrogen, which makes tire pressures more stable over a longer period of time.  Some say it's because Nitrogen molecules are larger than Oxygen and won't pass through the rubber molecules of the tire.  I don't know about that: I'm just passing along the info.

Of course, the bag needs to be airtight. I'm sure there's other caveats as well.

I hope this helps.  Updating forums while being lectured to is a bonus, sometimes.
Luke M

[LukeM]

Just thought of another option:  ride the bike year around.
Luke M

[nyraised]

Cant you just add seafoam to keep the gas stable and make sure the gas tank is completly full?

[LukeM]

Ahh...I thought he was taking the tank off the bike, and putting it in storage for the winter.

Given that it may stay on the bike, yes, either Seafoam or Sta-Bil with a full tank of the best gas you can find would certainly work.  I'd recommend running the engine for a bit with either preservative in it, so the carbs get some of that in the bowls and insides.

Luke M