Starting up after winter lay up

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Mar 17, 2015 | 01:03 PM

Limey

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Tourer

Joined: May 2007

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Starting up after winter lay up

Apologies if this has already been done to death but...

Bike's been sitting all winter and is also due for an oil and filter change, so...

What should I do before starting up for first time in months?

Should I warm the bike up on the old oil then change to the new?

By the way I'm no newbie but I've just never really taken any precautions after winter and got thinking that I probably should.

I had an MGB a few years ago and when I started it up after a long winter all the piston rings broke and the crankcase pressure forced most of the oil out of the breather onto the garage floor. On the B it cost me a set of rings, a head gasket and a sump gasket and I did the whole job with the engine still in the car, but I don't think I'd get away so lightly with a Harley.

Mar 17, 2015 | 01:08 PM

fwb35

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2012

Posts: 1,672

Likes: 18

From: Orange, VA,

I will spry some fogging oil down the cylinders, crank it over a few times with no plugs in it, put the plugs and wires on and fire it up, let it warm up, cut it off and change the oil. The best way is to chnage the oil before winter storage, fir it up in spring and ride.

Mar 17, 2015 | 01:54 PM

ohioflhs

Road Warrior

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 1,485

Likes: 232

From: Ohio

It is best to change the oil before storage. With that said, I usually don't get it changed before storage either. I will use it for a week or so on the old oil before I change it. I do nothing differently in the spring. Just push the start button after normal check over.

Mar 17, 2015 | 02:07 PM

Imold

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2011

Posts: 27,097

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From: Frozelandia, Minnysota

I just crank it up and go; sitting 5 or 6 months, even over a year a couple times, hasn't had any effect on anything I've had in over 50 years, and I don't even use fuel stabilizer. As far as the oil, I'd definitely warm it up and get it mixed good so more contaminants will get mixed in and dumped.

Mar 17, 2015 | 02:12 PM

heritageblue2013

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2013

Posts: 4,922

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From: Running with the gators

All I do is start her up and go. Run a tank of gas out then change your oil. As per a previous post, I also do not use any fuel additives. Just a top tier fuel while she sits. If your using a quality oil in the first place, you will be fine.