[kam1996]

I have recently moved the 998 inside the house. So far I have only drained the gas. The oil needs to be changed soon, so shoudl I drain the oil and add new oil, or drain and not refill as the bike will not be used till next Spring?

Any other suggestions regarding storing inside would be appreciated.

Thank you

 

[sburns2421]

I would say drain and refill, maybe start it for a minute or so to circulate the new oil. Old oil becomes slightly acidic after running in the engine for some time. At least next spring it will be one less chore to do before riding.

Also, try not to store it near electric motors (such as refrigerator compressors). These can give off slight amounts of ozone which will oxidize the rubber parts on the bike, in theory at least.

 

[nomo]

Yup agree , definitely refill with oil and circulate preferably with the FI off (i.e. so w/o starting the engine) but I don't know if your Ducati allows this like the RC . Just realized that you emptied the tank , so crank it over and store . This will put a nice coating of fresh oil over all surfaces . Unfortunately , we Canadians are masters of storage :banghead .

 

[Multitard]

Yup agree , definitely refill with oil and circulate preferably with the FI off (i.e. so w/o starting the engine) but I don't know if your Ducati allows this like the RC . Just realized that you emptied the tank , so crank it over and store . This will put a nice coating of fresh oil over all surfaces . Unfortunately , we Canadians are masters of storage :banghead .

flip the kill switch to off and start her up?

 

[nomo]

^ The RC51 allows cranking with the kill switch OFF , so bike will not start . Some bikes don't allow this .

 

[DRFLGD]

Man, I sure hope you don't get any fuel fumes! Hopefully with the tank empty you won't!

I brought my wifes and my CBRs into our hotel room once and I couldnt stand the fumes! Had to move them out at 1:30AM!:banghead

Wife didn't smell the fumes at all!

 

[UnpaintedHuffhines]

a bike that is fumy has leaks. i have transported many bikes on their side, and kept them inside, have to do what you have to do. most were never fumy or leaky at all.

 

[sburns2421]

Different people have a higher sensitivity to gas fumes it seems. I can smell a drop in the garage instantly, but my wife cannot. OTOH, she smells everything like a bloodhound except for gas fumes it seems.

Right now on my 851 there is a strong gas smell but no drips or wet places. I just made some new fuel lines, i know is leaking a bit I just have to find it.

 

[TrickLidz]

I usually have my bike in the basement during the winters, gas drained and oil drained but not refilled. No problems.
Smells? Funny, my GF can't hardly smell a thing...BUT...she loves the smell of gasoline and SKUNK!!:wtf ---I can't stand those smells...my worst---diesel fuel or fumes---maybe it's the 37 yrs working in the auto repair field!!!

 

[20_RC51_00]

personally I would say that you don't need to worry about refilling. the thin coating of oil is everywhere. I recall a few years back taking apart my rc over the winter and it had been sitting for many months when I finally removed the valve covers to see a healthy coating of oil over everything. it's a machine not an infant. it will be fine imo.

 

[Old Baldy]

Change oil (warm motor), refill. Done.
You could stick the front wheel stand on too, just to lift the tire off. No biggy either way.
Remove battery and stick on charger in warm place.

 

[kam1996]

Man, I sure hope you don't get any fuel fumes! Hopefully with the tank empty you won't!

I brought my wifes and my CBRs into our hotel room once and I couldnt stand the fumes! Had to move them out at 1:30AM!:banghead

Wife didn't smell the fumes at all!

Thats the strange part, even when I had gas in it, there was absolutly no smell/fumes. My wife is very sensetive to smells and she never complained once.
I am guessing that everything is properly sealed.

 

[DesperateSP2]

I would leave it "as is": better change the oil just before the new season.
Only things I would do is put a spoonful of oil in each plug hole and spin the front wheel around every once in a while.

 

[sburns2421]

I would leave it "as is": better change the oil just before the new season.

Disagree, new oil sitting for a few months is better than old gasoline and moisture-contaminated oil sitting in the cases for a few months.

 

[RAZR51]

Disagree, new oil sitting for a few months is better than old gasoline and moisture-contaminated oil sitting in the cases for a few months.

+1....change the oil at the end of the season.

I leave my bikes in the garage with battery tenders on them. I'll start them and bring them up to temp about once every 2-3 weeks. The thunderous rumbling of an RC51 in the middle of winter warms me up. Sometimes our weather will break in winter and I'll go for a ride. The Canadian winters probably won't allow this. My racebike, without antifreeze will not leave the garage.

 

[RVTMAVERICK]

I'm with sburns; and filling with Fresh Oil now.

I would do> fresh Oil and Oil filter change now and I would also> FILL the Fuel Cell but treat the fuel with a fuel stablizer! Empty fuel cell has more vapors, fill it up with gas = No vapors BUT YOU have to be Sure there's NO leaks! My :twocents
Plus, NO chance of your Fuel Cell rusting when it's full.

+1 with Battery having tender put on it, Not sure why it would have to be removed...

 

[RxRC]

I'll start them and bring them up to temp about once every 2-3 weeks.

 

[RxRC]

Remove battery and stick on charger in warm place.

 

[Old Baldy]

Warm place...no question. Inside the house will be fine.
Why remove the battery? I've found that they seem to last longer when there is zero electrical leakage through the bike's wiring systems and switches, then when left connected (even on a charger). Most bike's systems still draw a tiny amount of power...either intentionally (alarms etc) or because their switches are allowing a tiny amount of flow (gunk, bad contacts, etc).

You could also use a digital ammeter to confirm/check if there is any flow with everything off, and if not...then don't bother to remove the battery.

You could also simply ignore this...and let the charger do it's thing.

 

[drthompson65]

I personally stable the fuel, run it, change warm oil with new, new filter, put it on a battery tender,unload the supension with pit bull stands, put a nice coat of mcquires tech wax on it and cover it till spring. At least once a month in the winter I turn the motor over to change where the cam belts sit. Done this all my ducs and no problem.