Why do some people reccomend changing oil at 2.5K intervals if the service manual says 5K intervals. I am coming up on 3500 miles (2500 miles since my last oil change), so I am trying to decide if I need to change my oil now or wait unitl 5K. I am running SYN 3 in the engine and Formula + in the tranny and primary. I think the Formula + is good for at least 5K right?

I average 4K-5K miles per year.

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2006 Fatboy

Yes, 5K is fine for the engine. 10K is fine for the trans and primary. Just follow the owners manual recommendations and don't worry about it.

Why do some people change at 2.5K? I can't come up with a plausible reason. I think they are just old, and havn't caught up with new technology.

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.boB
'06 FXDI
95", High compression, 204's, SEII slip ons, SERT
And a bunch of other cool stuff

Changing the oil every 5,000 miles will keep the warranty intact, but I don't much care about my warranty. I want to keep the motor in good shape for a long time. I am old and probably have not caught up with the new technology, but changing the oil every 2,500 miles doesn't cost much, will not hurt anything, and just might save a little wear and tear. Besides, I kind of enjoy working on the bike anyway. I like spending a couple hours in the garage with my friend Captain Morgan occasionally on a rainy day.

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2003 FXD; 2004 Ultra; 2006 883L (the girlfriends)

I shoot for changing the fluids every 2,500 miles but if I run over a few hundred miles, I don't sweat it. I use Mobil 1 V-twin in the crankcase and primary.

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because the oil filter is only good for 2500. 3 months or 3000 which ever happens first.

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Lifes journey is not to go to the grave in a perfectly preserved body.......but to slide in sideways, totally worn out yelling...........Good God! What a Ride!!!!!!!

I change oil every 2,500 miles and the other two every 5,000. Oil is susceptible to dust, heat, and other bad things, including condensation, and friction breakdown.

Am I just old and not caught up? Could be, but I know what my oil looks like after 2,500 miles in an air cooled engine, and I have experienced how hot that engine gets in traffic on a 100 degree day, so I will just keep doing what I'm doing. I can afford 25 or 30 dollars every 2,500 miles.

Regards,

Bill

I think the same but change at 3000

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06 FXDLI

Our contest is not only whether we ourselves shall be free, but whether there shall be left to mankind an asylum on earth for civil and religious liberty. Samuel Adams

I am going to change the engine at 2500 - 3000 and the tranny and primary at 5000.

What oils do you guys use?

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2006 Fatboy

I am using HD Dino 20/50 motor oil and Formula 1 in the trans. and primary.

I tried Mobile 1 V-twin and didn't see that it had any advantage. Didn't get any quieter, didn't run any cooler, and it costs more and is harder to find on the road.

Regards,

Bill

I use Mobil 1 V-twin 20W-50 in the crankcase and primary and Redline Shockproof Heavy in the transmission. I've tried conventional oil, Amsoil, Formula 1, Syn3 and have ended up with Mobil 1. I can get it at Wallyworld at a decent price.

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