There might be a thread like this already, I apologize if so.

I have found some good information from google. However I would like to hear some tips what you guys and girls use to do to your bike when storing it over winter, since we are all here with the same model!

I just got my first bike this fall (2005 XTX) and will prepare it for the winterstorage which will last some 4-5 months. It will be stored fairly warm, between 5�-10�C. However I have some questions!

What I'm the most concerned about is what to do with the oil. The previous owner changed the oil in June this year and the bike hasn't been run since September. Is it OK to leave it like that after a warm-up, should I change the oil, or should I just oil the cylinderwalls?

Also, is there any important bits and pieces I should cover with WD-40/CRC556?
Is it OK to remove the battery and do the charging at home? I won't be able to have one of those battery tenders connected at the storageplace.

I will top up the fuel this week and lubricate the chain, and I also got a good cover for it.

Thanks in advance!

1. Oil, leave it
2. nuts/bolts etc really to cover with WD-40, or ACF50 is even better for that. Don't do your discs though. Techincally anything metal will prefer it on there rather than exposed
3. Sure, remove the batter, keep indoors, good plan.

It could be argued to use a fuel stabiliser, but I've never done so.
It could be argued to block the exhausts with a rag to stop any spiders/rats etc
It could be argued to have the wheels off the floor on paddock stands

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Technically speaking you should change the oil before you lay it up (a cheap one will do) as there will be corrosive acids contained in the existing oil from the combustion process. Then, when you re-commission the bike in the spring, change it again to your normal decent quality oil of choice as condensation will have collected in the oil used over the storage period.

There is no need to oil the top-end through the spark plug hole as used to be the case in the good old days.

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Seems strange that your storage is warm and yet no power!! where you are the atmosphere is dry(I have a relative in Finland) as opposed us Brits who have to put up with the damp,most certainly change the oil you don't want to be leaving it for that length of time with used oil in,I'd drain as much fuel as possible modern day fuel goes off in around 6 weeks put fresh in when you use the bike,and yes taking the battery off and charging else where is no problem.

Thanks for the help everyone.

I have decided to change the oil, might aswell learn a thing or two while I'm at it!

About the gasoline. Now I have heard some people telling me to top off the gas and some say I should drain it as much as I can. It won't get freezing cold but not exactly warm either (not over 10�C), isn't it better to fill it up completely to avoid condensation? And if I do, can I just drain that and refill with fresh gas come spring?

Modern day fuel goes off just like a loaf of bread,I keep an absolute minimum in the tank and put fresh in when I come to use it and if we have had rain and it's cleaned the roads that could be any time during the winter.

If you have never changed the oil on a dry sump motor do a little reading before you do.

Okey, thanks waynovetten. I don't have to worry about any condensation?

I found this great thread about the oil change http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?t=18695

Ok so now I'm done. I changed the oil and all went well. Filled the fuel up and added some STA-BIL fuel stabalizer. Cleaned it a bit and covered the snorkel-hole (to my surprise it had been removed by a previous owner), also covered the exhaust pipe. Removed the bettery and got myself a CTEK charger.

It is stored in a warehouse and I didn't have much more time before they had to close the place up for the day. I were to lubricate the chain and cover some parts with WD-40 but I didn't have the time. But I guess it ain't so bad since it's going to be stored indoors and heated.

I also were to change the spark plug and topfill the cylinder with some oil but the previous owner, also to my surprise had not left the spark plug tools in the bike! But as someone pointed out I don't really need to topfill it anyway so it doesn't really matter. I'm a bit over-coutious sometimes... And do stuff that I don't really have to.

Now, bring on the summer!

Sounds like you've done a good job there - summer will soon be here, best make the most of your spare time then....