+1
I use a 3/16" wide by 8" long screwdriver and extra long "stork" needle nose pliers to slip a hose on the drain nipple.

If your gas is that old, you probably need to clean the carbs too. Since new my bike has never gone more than 7 days or so without being ridden. Last Saturday I started running on one cylinder, limped home and found #2 was dead. Spark was good, so I pulled the carbs (a lot of fun). The slow jet in #2 carb was completely plugged. I had to soak it in carb spray for about 30 minutes to clean it out completely. Then blew everything out with carb spray and compressed air.

I'm looking for some small membrane type filters that will fit under the tank.

 

Don't scare me like that. My other bike is already apart for the same reason, previous owner didn't ride it, carbs were completely disgusting. Sad because I sold it to him in perfect working order a year prior. At least I got a good deal buying it back from him.

 

Thanks! I just drained it out onto the floor. Didn't feel like cutting my hands up trying to get a drain hose on there. It was pretty obvious when looking at it, I just posted from work so I didn't have the bike in front of me.

 

That works...just don't light a cigarette immediately after draining.

 

I use a pair of medical forceps to slip tubing over the drain. I imagine needle nose pliers or vice grip would work. Otherwise you can do it outside and use a hose to rinse the gas off the bike and ground. I like to drain to a container so I can check for water, gunk, debris etc.

 

The "stork" needle nose pliers I mentioned were first sold by Snap-on about 25 years ago. They're about 12" long to reach into very narrow deep openings. I bought a pair of Chinese knock-offs last year from Kragen for about 12 bucks. The first time I used them was to drain my carbs. It took no time at all to snake a length of vacuum hose in there and push it up onto the drain nipple. A good addition to your toolbox.

I'm aware of other uses for medical forceps from my younger days.

 

Me too. Before I discovered the value of a cheap corn cob pipe and a 2"X2" square of Reynolds wrap poked with a finishing nail or sewing needle!

I bought the forceps at the Del Mar gun show in 1995 for $2. Also great for slipping tube over the front cylinder vacuum nipple when syncing the carbs and for removing splinters from my hands. Just might be the best two bucks I ever spent.

 

I prefer to fill the garage with gas fumes, close the door, and then relight my water heater pilot.