Valves, before or after winter storage?

[AVI8_636]

I'm gonna be putting the bike away in the next week or so for the winter. Current mileage is right around 14,500 miles, and the Kawasaki manual says that around 15k the valves should be checked and adjusted as needed. I was wondering if this kind of maintenance should be done before or after winter storage, or if it even matters? Just curious what you guys do here.

Also, I've never done valve work on a bike and would like to try it myself, but I know you can seriously screw the motor up if you get it wrong. Is there anyone in southern NH/seacoast area, or even Western MA (that's where the bike is going) that knows a thing or 2 about valve adjustment on a Kawasaki and would be willing to lend a hand or at least provide guidance? I really don't want to take it to the dealer.

[butcher bergs]

They should be checked at some point but before or after storage doesn't matter.....and with that mileage I'd be very surprised if anything were out of tolerance.

[keeena]

Ya, doesn't matter before or after winter.

I would check them. If you have a factory manual, are methodical and can turn a wrench: you can do it. Both my 6Rs were off by 12-13k miles, but they do see more abuse than a street bike.

[Rambunctous]

The hardest part is positioning the crankshaft in the correct spot(s) to have the camshafts in the correct spot. I find it easiest to just keep turning the backwheel in top gear and visually watch the cam lobe I am adjusting.