I'm 200 miles over due for my 25,000 mile service on my 2001 Fatboy. It's an expensive service (because it includes inspecting and probably replacing the fuel filter) so I've been putting it off. I'm pretty inexperienced with doing anything to bike myself put I do get it serviced every 5,000 like clockwork. I was worried that I was over due for an oil change I decide to check the oil level (I'm ashamed to admit it's only like the 2nd or 3rd time I've ever done that) and it was below the fill mark. Knowing I was going to be riding for another couple of hundred miles before my service I thought - well **** better fill that up! I went to Autozone (mistake #1) and put in a quart of Valvoline 20W-50W synthetic blend. I know, I know - bad idea right?. In hindsight, I'm pretty sure the oil that was in there already was a full synthetic 50W (I live in a warm climate)

So - am I destroying my bike by riding for a couple of hundred miles or should I garage it until I can afford a proper oil change?

 

You're gonna get a lot of feedback on this, but my opinion is you're gonna be fine.

 

You'll be fine

 

ride it as long as u dont go dry, its better than not having it in there.

buy a manual, ask ?'s here, 25k service is BS anyway

 

Not ideal, but certainly not destroying your bike, just change as soon as you can. Make sure you check your oil when warm, after sitting for awhile oil can drain into the crankcase and give the impression that it's low and can cause overfilling with a few nasty side effects.

JUST PLEEEZ DONT ASK WHAT OIL TO USE

 

It's understandable why you are concerned but it will be ok.

 

I didn't do the fuel filter on my '00 Road Glide until I was passed 92,000 miles. (Why should my car's filter be lifetime and my Harley every 25,000? Doesn't make sense to me.)

Change the oil and engine filter as soon as you can. The rest can wait.

 

as said earlier, you should ck the oil when it is warm. a little low isn't going to hurt anything. you could buy a manual and the supplies to do the oil change yourself for way less than what the dealer is gonna screw you out of and you will learn something about your bike in the process, also saving you a crap load of money in the future. as for the filter my bike has 47k on it with the gas filter it came with and no problems. good luck.

 

Yes, use oil. Peanut butter would not help.

GM

 

your not destroying your bike. autozone is fine for oil, they have mobil vtwin synthetic , and k&n oil filters with the 17mm nut on the end for easy access that are just fine.