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Sloppy
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 01, 2008 - 02:34 am: | 
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Ah, the Oil Rumor Club strikes again!
Oil change intervals depend on two major things -
Type of oil and how the engine is operated.
Without knowing these two items it is useless to ask the "when to change my oil" question.
BUT wait, there is ONE answer that will work for ALL!
Invest in KNOWLEDGE - get your oil analyzed for the first few years of ownership so you WILL know exactly when it is time to change your oil.
Blackstone is a great resource and for the value they are among the best.
I use Mobil 1 synthetic oil for both engine and tranny. Engine gets changed at 5000 miles or annually and tranny is at 10000 miles or bi-anually.
Get the data rather than listen to opinions. Which would you rather do - spend 30 dollars for a lifetime of knowledge or take the "free" advice of someone who has no vested interest in your bike. Your call...
I do not know of a single person who has not been satisfied by using oil analysis to determine when to change their oil. |
Corporatemonkey
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 01, 2008 - 06:00 am: |
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I would say it has been around the 3.5k mile range for me.
I usually check the dipstick, and if it is turning black time for a change. My bike sits in traffic a lot more than most peoples. It gets REALLY hot sometimes. |
Azxb9r
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 01, 2008 - 04:41 pm: |
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The biggest advantage that synthetic oil has over conventional oil, is its ability to withstand higher temps. without breaking down. Air cooled engines operate at temps. well over 300 deg F. At those temps, 5000 miles is waay too long for conventional oil, and in my opinion it is also too long for synthetics. The manufacturers have stretched out their oil change recommendations so that they can advertize how "low maintenence" their product is. If you look closely at most manuals, they have a separate set of recommendations for "severe service". The list of conditions that qualify as "severe service" include conditions that most of us encounter every day.
If you don't plan on keeping your bike for any length of time, it wont matter if you stretch out your oil changes and use poor quality oil. On the other hand, if you plan on keeping your bike for a while, changing the oil often is cheap insurance. |
Aj06bolt12r2
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 02, 2008 - 04:30 am: |
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Everything that azxb9r has just stated is correct! Oil is pretty cheap when you factor in how long its lasts its way cheaper than gas, like he said its cheap insurance. If you are in doubt just change it, I mean damn it only holds 2.5 qts its not like you got to take out a loan just do it! 2.5k synthetic hd oil is a safe bet in my opinion. |
Bombardier
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 02, 2008 - 07:14 am: |
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+1 Sloppy.
The worst thing for any engine is short runs where the oil does not get up to temperature or sitting for a long time.
The acids and moisture remain in the oil and attack everything from your seals to the gaskets.
Manufacturers recommend different intervals for different types of driving/riding. Take a look at a car owners manual and it will list the different types and the recommended intervals. This info can be applied to whatever engine you operate using the recommended intervals as a baseline.
Remember that the aim of the manufacturer is to have the engine operate without failure for the warranty period but start to wear out after the warranty period so they can make money on the spare parts they have to carry/supply for a statutory time.
Changing the oil earlier than the recommended period can only be good for the engine but this needs to be balanced with the expense to provide whatever outcome you want.
My 2 cents. |
Metalstorm
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 02, 2008 - 08:07 pm: |
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The acids and moisture remain in the oil and attack everything from your seals to the gaskets.
This is why I do it every 2.5K -3K miles.
Not because I think the oil is cooked but because I live out on the coast in the wet salty air and I seem to start visibly collecting moisture after 3K miles.
Especially the primary.
2.5-3K = nice & clean. where as 5K will show me a bit of the white pasty stuff. |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 02, 2008 - 11:42 pm: |
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What's strange is the same folks who run 5,000+ miles to save money are also looking for the perfect $1.50 automotive filter.
I've always maintained all my vehicles as though I expect them to last 500,000 miles.
I find that if you maintain them that way, they actually will. |
Hotdog271
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 02, 2008 - 11:43 pm: |
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I use synthetic and change it every 3000-3500. I have been in the auto repair industry for years and believe that the 3000 mile rule is great. Especially when it is an air cooled engine that runs at high temperatures. (thanks azxb9r) in my cars I use synthetic and change every 5000, they run cooler and have more oil. it is strange that harley says to change the oil every 3000 miles if you use regular oil OR synthetic oil. Just my opinion that they want to sell more oil, especially the high priced oil, or get you into there shops more often for the high dollar way over priced services. Also bombardier is correct that short trips are the worst for oil, the oil not reaching operating temps causes sludge... not good. He is also right that the manufacturers are happy as long as the bike (or car) makes it through the warranty period, then they are real happy when it breaks just after. Look at how they have tried to raise the oil change intervals in cars... the info center in my trailblazer said I wouldn't need an oil change for 12,500 miles... BULL SHIT! Sorry... I get a little carried away. Change it every 3000-3500 and you will never have a problem. |
Srwitt
| | Posted on Thursday, July 03, 2008 - 01:25 am: |
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In my bikes I change the oil every 1500-2000 miles. It takes so little, and is very little effort to do, its worth it for me. Whats an oil change cost $20-$30 at most, I go through way more gas than that in 2000 miles. |
Azxb9r
| | Posted on Thursday, July 03, 2008 - 06:17 pm: |
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I find that if you maintain them that way, they actually will.
No coincidence there.  |
Sloppy
| | Posted on Friday, July 04, 2008 - 12:27 am: |
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Want to know when to change your oil?
http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/interval.html
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/motorcycle.html
(Message edited by sloppy on July 04, 2008) |
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