Winterization question w/ the 5k mile service
#1
Winterization question w/ the 5k mile service
Hey folks,
As we move through the fall I've been reading up on winterizing my bike.
Lots of good info out there (and here)*
Many of the winterization plans I've read call for changing the oil before saying good bye to the bike in the winter - AND for changing the oil in the spring when you get the bike back out. (seems like a lot of oil)
My bike is a 2008 XL883 with just over 4k miles.
I got it about two months ago when it had 3200ish miles - so it's still rather new to me. The previous owner claims it was current on all maintenance *- *I cant be entirely sure. Soooooo I'm going to take it in for the 5,000 mile check-up early.
Anyway here's my question...
Since I'm getting the check-up (which includes an oil change) in Mid-September, and the riding season here will likely end in late October... do I really need to change the oil before winterizing the bike later?
Bonus Question:
Do you really change the oil right before and right after winter storage?
Thanks!
~Doug
As we move through the fall I've been reading up on winterizing my bike.
Lots of good info out there (and here)*
Many of the winterization plans I've read call for changing the oil before saying good bye to the bike in the winter - AND for changing the oil in the spring when you get the bike back out. (seems like a lot of oil)
My bike is a 2008 XL883 with just over 4k miles.
I got it about two months ago when it had 3200ish miles - so it's still rather new to me. The previous owner claims it was current on all maintenance *- *I cant be entirely sure. Soooooo I'm going to take it in for the 5,000 mile check-up early.
Anyway here's my question...
Since I'm getting the check-up (which includes an oil change) in Mid-September, and the riding season here will likely end in late October... do I really need to change the oil before winterizing the bike later?
Bonus Question:
Do you really change the oil right before and right after winter storage?
Thanks!
~Doug
#4
If your oil is gettin changed just before you put her to bed, then no reason for another oil change a few weeks later.
I might be wrong, but I can't see why you would need to change your oil before you put your bike away if your gonna change it again when you take it out.
Maybe if you were riding through the winter I can see an advantage of doing it.
But puttin clean oil in, leaving it over winter, then draining the clean oil, to put more clean oil in, It doesn't make sense to me.
But I'm no mechanic.
So maybe someone with more experience can help out
I might be wrong, but I can't see why you would need to change your oil before you put your bike away if your gonna change it again when you take it out.
Maybe if you were riding through the winter I can see an advantage of doing it.
But puttin clean oil in, leaving it over winter, then draining the clean oil, to put more clean oil in, It doesn't make sense to me.
But I'm no mechanic.
So maybe someone with more experience can help out
#5
Before we get into winterizing, there's one thing about your post that should be noted and that's the statement "The previous owner claims it was current on all maintenance".
If this refers to the original owner following the factory service schedule based on mileage, ie oil changes at 1K, 5K, 10K, etc, that would mean you have a near 5 year old bike that's only had 1 oil change. The oil should be changed every 5K miles or ANNUALLY, which ever comes first.
The purpose of changing the oil before storing the bike away, is to remove sulfur that's present in used oil as a byproduct of the combustion process. When combined with water moisture, and there will be some in the system, the sulfur becomes sulfuric acid.
Quality oils today have additives that combat the sulfur issue, so if you change the oil early and are only going to ride 500 or so miles before storing the bike, you'll be fine.
Assuming you change the oil before putting the bike away, I see no reason to change it in the Spring. Now, if the bike was being prepped for long term storage, like more than a year, I'd change it before and after.
.
If this refers to the original owner following the factory service schedule based on mileage, ie oil changes at 1K, 5K, 10K, etc, that would mean you have a near 5 year old bike that's only had 1 oil change. The oil should be changed every 5K miles or ANNUALLY, which ever comes first.
The purpose of changing the oil before storing the bike away, is to remove sulfur that's present in used oil as a byproduct of the combustion process. When combined with water moisture, and there will be some in the system, the sulfur becomes sulfuric acid.
Quality oils today have additives that combat the sulfur issue, so if you change the oil early and are only going to ride 500 or so miles before storing the bike, you'll be fine.
Assuming you change the oil before putting the bike away, I see no reason to change it in the Spring. Now, if the bike was being prepped for long term storage, like more than a year, I'd change it before and after.
.
#6
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