break in
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Apple Valley, MN
RE: break in
FL,
Do you change the primary also, or just the engine oil?
How about the trany???
Do you change the primary also, or just the engine oil?
How about the trany???
ORIGINAL: fl_799
One thing that I disagree with the moco is waiting to the 1000 mark for the first oil change. By 250 miles, break in material grit is in full force and clearly felt in the oil and seen on the oil plug magnet. Heat and friction during break in makes already marginal oil even worse.
One thing that I disagree with the moco is waiting to the 1000 mark for the first oil change. By 250 miles, break in material grit is in full force and clearly felt in the oil and seen on the oil plug magnet. Heat and friction during break in makes already marginal oil even worse.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 1
From:
RE: break in
One easy way to describe break in for the first 50-100 miles is don't ever use 6th gear. They didn't tell me this and I was lugging the motor something fierce, but didn't realize it with no windshield and it being my first harley. Just stay out of 6th and ride like your grandma is on the back, you'll be fine.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From:
RE: break in
I've put my $.02 in quite bit on this subject, so I won't bore you and belabor my point anymore.... The only important thing is the "FUN FACTOR", people get far more **** over this than need be, Snarly is right, follow the book you won't be wrong. But, you can fudge it a little, just use common sense, Harley motors aren't fragile things, they're purpose built for hard use and unless your extremely stupid they won't break... Geeeezzzz... Go out and enjoy it.... I am with mine.... One other thing as they said above change the oil EARLY...Twice even.... CYA..Skee[sm=biker2.gif]
RE: break in
I didn't realize the oil should be changed before the 1000 mile service, I need to go change it right now. I just turn 1000 miles today and I have been riding like a real a$$ lately, I even got the front wheel off the ground last weekend. I can't help it, it's fun.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From:
RE: break in
The oil change is important.. I changed my first one in the 200+mile range/included filter, I did a second one shortly after that, just changed oil only. I'll change it again in the 600+ mileage range.. The first one is the important one... Harley doesn't say you have to, but alot of old wise mechanics do it that way some even sooner like the first 50 miles or so... Oil is cheap...
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 3
From: Texarkana, TX
RE: break in
Well,... I was kinda courious as to what alot of the forum members were doing about break in, so I did a quick search and ran across this thread. I stayed under 50mph for the first 50 or so miles and didnt go into 6th gear any and I tried to avoid any sustained speeds or lugging the engine alot. I'm now at 100 miles and I started using 6th gear some but still havent gone over 65mph. I plan on babying her until she hits the 250 mile mark and then I'll do an oil change and then will drive a lil more normal but will still be mindful of the rpm's. Then after 500 I will do one more oil change before my 1000 miles service. My break-in procedure may vary a little from what H-D says but I believe all will be fine with just a lil common sense.
John
John
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: break in
ORIGINAL: fl_799
One thing that I disagree with the moco is waiting to the 1000 mark for the first oil change. By 250 miles, break in material grit is in full force and clearly felt in the oil and seen on the oil plug magnet. Heat and friction during break in makes already marginal oil even worse.
One thing that I disagree with the moco is waiting to the 1000 mark for the first oil change. By 250 miles, break in material grit is in full force and clearly felt in the oil and seen on the oil plug magnet. Heat and friction during break in makes already marginal oil even worse.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 246
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From:
RE: break in
Steele... That site has come up quite a few times... you bringing it up means you agree with it..? This is not a trick question because I basically did mine this way... and I don't and won't regret doing it this way... but, that's just me... My bike sounds and runs fine...and I think it'll be around for awhile... But... those first oil changes are the most important thing... and it's cheap protection....
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 2
From:
RE: break in
The ideas on that site is sound but the execution might be risky for these engines. The thought is that you want the rings to 'seat' while there is still rough material in the cylinder bores as quickly as possible. The majority of this takes place naturally by running the bike in the first 50-100 miles anyway.