2001 FXDWG

I've cleaned it and cleaned it again. Plan on pulling the battery and putting on a tender in the house.

My question is I was due for an oil change and have only put about 400 miles on it since.

Do I really need to change the oil prior to winter storage.

The bikes gonna sit in a dry unconditioned bldg till April.

Thanks.

 

I think it will be fine. I did the samething last winter and road all season on the same oil. I am due for a change this winter though. I put about 5000 on it this time.

 

400 miles it's up to you, but I wouldn't want to waste the scratch. Mine has 1200 miles on it - nowhere near being due - but I'm only going to clean the filter out next spring. I have a washable re-useable oil filter. If the place your bike is being kept is heated you don't even need to remove it from the bike IMO. I never remove mine just put it on the tender now and then andfor sure a couple of days before firing it up for next season.

 

400 miles? No need to change that! That's fresh!

 

Probably will be ok.

I typically change the primary and engine oils prior to storage.
Not sure if it's true, but I've heard/read used oil could sludge and
or cause corrosion from combustion byproducts in the oil.

Not sure how much truth to that there is, but it's easy and then
I'm ready to go in the spring.

 

That's true

My feeling is your not going to remove 100% of it , and with mine being done within 400 miles I feel I can leave it this time . I run synthetic and change it every 3k. It's never overdue. I ride two up most of the time so I feel 3k is a good place to change it.

 

I never change my oil before i store you have to let a bike sit for so so long before the oil goes bad. plus weather changes can create moisture inside the cases that will contaminate the oil anyway. i always leave my oil and change in the spring, on 6 bikes... never had an issue.... park it on carpet to prevent moisture coming up from the floor, put a paper plate on the seat with a few pieces of charcoal on it (will absorb moisture), cover the bike... thats all you have to do, start it ever other week for 10+ min.

 

No need to change the oil or take out the battery....Just plug in the tender, you'll be fine.

 

I like the idea of using the tender only occasionally. My pop plugged one in for a long spell and the battery was dead when he wanted it. I plug it in overnight once a week and have had longer battery life than my pops. then I bought his lunch cause he was out from the expense.

 

I leave the tender plugged in in the cold months.
Change your oils in the spring. adjust your clutch, lube your cables check your spoke tensions, tire pressures and go ride.
Use a good synthetic oil and don't worry about it.