Oil Change Before Starting After Storage?
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 12,359
Likes: 74
From: WI
Oil Change Before Starting After Storage?
When I put the bike away in November, I did not change the fluids as I am going to do it prior to riding season this spring. The bike is in a storage unit, and I would like to bring it home to work on. In order to do this, I would need to start it and ride it for about 20-25 minutes.
Is it OK to ride it for a short distance to home or should I just bring all my tools to the storage unit and work on there?
Any help on this would be appreciated.
Is it OK to ride it for a short distance to home or should I just bring all my tools to the storage unit and work on there?
Any help on this would be appreciated.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 3
From: Clarksburg, PA
How many miles do you have on the current oil? I go 2 seasons on mine becuase I run synthetic and there is nothing wrong with the oil...living in PA, I don't get as many miles on my bike as I'd like, but I wouldn't be afraid to start it up and ride right now.
I don't even take the battery out of my bike during winter...fired it up Monday for the first time in months.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 168
From: Knoxville, Tn
Preseason Oil Change
I did the same as you except that my bike was home. Earlier this year I took the drain plug out of the crankcase and let it drain for a day without any start up. All the sh*t is on the bottom of the crankcase now and if you crank and ride it will all be distributed again throughout the engine. That's why I just let mine drain cold.
I have ridden a couple of short rides since and the oil still looks very clean and clear.
I have ridden a couple of short rides since and the oil still looks very clean and clear.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Warming the engine and riding it if you're changing the fluids in the trans and primary also lets the oil suspend the dirt. Then when you drain it you get more of the crud out of the bike.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 859
Likes: 14
From: Millsboro Delaware
+1 on what 08 Streetbobrob said. That is why you should always change your fluids when the engine/tranny/primary are warmed up.... If you are coming off of a ride let it cool a little bit so you don't burn yourself as the fluids will be really hot....
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 340
Likes: 4
From: Peach Bottom Pa.
I always put on a 100 miles or so after winter storage,,loosens up the crud ,,benn doing it with everything I owened (motorcycles,lawn mowers, atv's, etc.) for the last 30 years or so,,never a problem,,
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 12,359
Likes: 74
From: WI
I have about 4k on the syn oil. But again, everything I've seen says oil should be changed every season, regardless of mileage.