I think that is the worst corrosion I have ever seen on an XT (especially in such a short time). The end result of riding through winter with a "dry" bike - a liberal coating ACF, Duck Oil, grease, in fact anything would have helped prevent this. It's not really about cleaning (which sometimes makes things worse) its about isolating metallic surfaces from moisture and oxygen. Cut out one or the other and corrosion will not occur. Not that that's any consolation!

If it was my bike and I was thinking of selling I'd probably go the honest route; clean it up the best you can but leave the patina, don't hide it. As Keithy suggests, rubbing ACF or just plain oil into corroded parts can make the world of difference and make it look considerably better for minimal cost/effort.

I think you'll find the expense of putting everything right properly will in the end cost more than the financial hit you'll have to take selling its current condition?

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