MOTORCYCLE CARE AND STORAGE7-37 Avoid using abrasive polishingcompounds as they will wearaway the paint.NOTE:Consult a Yamaha dealer for advice onwhat products to use.EAU26230StorageShort-termAlways store your motorcycle in a cool,dry place and, if necessary, protect itagainst dust with a porous cover.CAUTION:ECA10810 Storing the motorcycle in apoorly ventilated room or cover-ing it with a tarp, while it is stillwet, will allow water and humid-ity to seep in and cause rust. To prevent corrosion, avoiddamp cellars, stables (becauseof the presence of ammonia)and areas where strong chemi-cals are stored.Long-termBefore storing your motorcycle for sev-eral months:1. Follow all the instructions in the“Care” section of this chapter.2. For motorcycles equipped with afuel cock that has an “OFF” posi-tion: Turn the fuel cock lever to“OFF”.3. Drain the carburetor float cham-bers by loosening the drain bolts;this will prevent fuel deposits frombuilding up. Pour the drained fuelinto the fuel tank.4. Fill up the fuel tank and add fuelstabilizer (if available) to preventthe fuel tank from rusting and thefuel from deteriorating.5. Perform the following steps to pro-tect the cylinders, piston rings, etc.from corrosion.a. Remove the spark plug capsand spark plugs.b. Pour a teaspoonful of engine oilinto each spark plug bore.c. Install the spark plug caps ontothe spark plugs, and then placethe spark plugs on the cylinderhead so that the electrodes aregrounded. (This will limit spark-ing during the next step.)d. Turn the engine over severaltimes with the starter. (This willcoat the cylinder walls with oil.)e. Remove the spark plug capsfrom the spark plugs, and theninstall the spark plugs and thespark plug caps.