Gas in my Engine Oil? Long term storage?

[95bravo]

My '76 RD400 has been on a bike lift for about six months and this week started to smell like gas.  Before I put it on the lift, I did not drain the carbs but I shut off the fuel petcock and ran it until it died (figuring that mostly emptied the carbs). 

Two questions:
1) Thoughts about what is causing the gas smell--do you think there was enough gas left in the carbs to leak into the engine oil? 
2) What do each of you do before storing a bike for more than a month or so? 

Cheers,

[Striker1423]

Uhm  leaking into the engine oil? I can assume you mean the transmission? The answer then would be No.

Gas might have come out of the overflow tube in one of the carbs.

[m in sc]

^ this.

even though your petcock was off, doesn't mean it didn't seep past the seal. when you store it for a long time, drain the tank as well. .02
if i were you, id pull the sparkplugs and then  kick the motor over w power off to dry out any fuel that may have seeped into your crankcases. 

[pdxjim]

Yup.

Petcocks leak.  Float needle valves leak.

The excess fuel fills up the carb(s) then runs down the intakes, and into the crankcase.

As Mark said, pull the plugs and GENTLY kick it over to pump enough of the fuel out so you can get it started.  It's gonna make a big mess, and your pipes will be full of all the fuel that was in your crankcase.

Do it outside in the street and NO SMOKING!

As far as storage prep ... I usually don't do anything.

[SUPERTUNE]

Do the Raptor modified petcock or buy one from me done for $50. (RD400 only)
Use the Viton needle and seat valves new from Mikuni...
Both John at EC and I sell them.
Chuck

[Plasticman]

Hey Chuck,

I need one of those "Chuck modified" petcocks for my racing RD400.

Rob

[SUPERTUNE]

Hey Chuck,

I need one of those "Chuck modified" petcocks for my racing RD400.

Rob

I have 2 sizes. stock 1/4 (6mm) or the 32mm and up 5/16 (8mm)
Do you want me to bring one to Roebing?
Comes with new bolts and fiber washers, truly a bolt and go except fuel line.
Chuck

[95bravo]

Yes, Striker, I meant crankcase.  I swapped out the petcock for a Pingel I got from EC (Pingels are top notch--I run one on my HD custom chop). 

I will heed everyone's advice about pulling the plugs and kicking it over w/o power to clear out any fuel that seeped into the crankcase.

Thanks-

[Jspooner]

I don't drain my gas tanks or my carbs. I just put the suggested about of Sta-Bil in the gas tank and run it long enough so it finds its way to the carbs, I then turn the ignition off, turn the petcock(s) off and that's it. I've never had a petcock seep or had any trouble except on a T500 with a vacuum operated petcock, that leaked and made a mess.

[pdxjim]

I'm paying the price now.

My TDR has a vacuum petcock, and it leaked over the past few months my bike sat.  Carbs all varnished up, pilot jets clogged, etc.

Stripped it all down, and ultrasonic cleaned everything.  All good now, but it would barely run this spring.

Case is still full of gas i'm sure.

Wish this damn petcock (same as RZ) had an OFF setting.