Oil change after winter hibernation or before?

[kawakid]

Normally the service on my Z is around this time of year, just about when I put my bike away for the winter.

However this year, I last had an oil change 2600 miles ago.

Am I best changing the oil now or waiting for the new year?

My work mate, never bothers and just wheels his bike out come the new year, but i've always had a recent oil change. The thing is i've bagged up the bike, battery out etc.

Perhaps I could change the oil, without starting her up?

Or perhaps just wait till the 15000 service, which is due in 800 miles. But again next spring.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[c_dug]

You worry too much!

I'm sure it wont make a difference either way.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[stinkwheel]

The way I see it. The oil is there to protect moving parts from rubbing against one another. If they aren't moving, they can't rub on one another.

The other function is preventing your engine internals from rusting. I reckon spent oil would be just as good at this as new stuff.

In other words, I'd change it after the winter.

If you feel the need to do something to lay it up, get some fuel stabiliser, add it to the fuel, brim the tank with fuel and crack the carb drains to run some petrol through so they are full of stabilised fuel. Condensation in a partially empty tank can lead to corrosion of the exposed metal and unleaded can go stale surprisingly quickly.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Pete.]

Do it before, but not because of the oil. Oil does slowly collect corrosive stuff from blow-by in the cylinders when the bike's running so you could base your decision on that, but it won't affect a healthy engine.

What will make a difference is if you not only do the oil but set-aside a day and clean up the running gear, perhaps drop the calipers, pump-out the pistons out a bit and clean off any crud then lube them with caliper grease and push them all the way back in and leave them in over winter. Clean, lube and adjust the chain and give stuff like any cables, and the side-stand/brake lever pivot/bar lever pivots the once-over, maybe dig-out all the crap that's collected around the front sprocket and clutch push-rod if your bke has one. This will all ave you a bit of heart-ache come next Easter.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Walloper]

Wot Pete sez.

Plus:

The oil can become acidic so would corrode parts.
I would not panic though, 2600 is not too much miles. If it's decent oil it should be OK to sleep over winter. So long as the oil isn't years old it'll be fine.
I do the lawnmower every year after last cut. But only cause it takes a coffee mug of oil and once it's done it's done. Goes Like Fcuk during the next summer though.

Good idea to clean up all the other stuff on Pete's list though.

I have a Calor-Gas catalytic heater in my garage for those long winter nights.
Best addition to my Motorbike Repair Kit.
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[Adam.I]

Just to add a little to what everyone else has said. In my Suzuki owner's manual, it says if you are storing the bike for an extended period of time IE winter, then you should change the oil before you store it, and once you take it out from storage, you should change it again.

However, I doubt many will do both.
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Veni Vidi Vici

[Walloper]

[kawakid]

Thanks for the advice everyone.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[flumpy7]

Never understood hibernation. Just give the bike a nice run every couple of weeks and when not in use keep the battery connected to an optimiser. I know its cold but it aint so cold you cant ride at all for 4 to 5 months.
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2012 Sinnis apache

[Walloper]

[Noxious89123]

[kawakid]

[tvchimp]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

I was going to hibernate the 30yr old 250...CBA so riding both
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The Harry Turner Project

[SirEdward]

Do you change the oil and then give a good spin on idle before capping the exhaust et cetera? Or do you top up and let it sit, provided you've taken out the spark plugs and put a bit of oil in each cylinder?
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"Beyond a critical point within a finite space, freedom diminishes as numbers increase. This is as true of humans as it is of gas molecules in a sealed flask. The human question is not how many can possibly survive within the system, but what kind of existence is possible for those who so survive.

Pardot Kynes in "Appendix I: The Ecology of Dune""

[Phoenix]

I usually change mine after the winter, it's more likely to get condensation form inside the engine while it's stored which will turn some of the oil into margarine like stuff. When you get it out in the new year then i'd run it and take it for a ride to evaporate any condensed water and then change the oil.

I don't think it really matters one bit how you do it, I just don't see the point in leaving it sat with fresh oil for 4 or 5 months, plus if you do a change when you get it out in the new year it'll force you to check some other bits while you're at it, never should get a bike out after storage and just jump on and go.

[Pete.]

[Phoenix]