You Tell Me When I Should Change My Oil
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
You Tell Me When I Should Change My Oil
Hi Guys 
I just changed me engine oil on my 1985 FLHTC
with Castrol GTX HIGH 20W-50
I have 45,100 miles on the bike now.
I know this sounds stupid but when do you think is the right time to change it again ?
3,000 miles ?
2,500 miles ?
You tell me guys.
See what happens when you get old guys
I just changed me engine oil on my 1985 FLHTC
with Castrol GTX HIGH 20W-50
I have 45,100 miles on the bike now.
I know this sounds stupid but when do you think is the right time to change it again ?
3,000 miles ?
2,500 miles ?
You tell me guys.
See what happens when you get old guys
This is one of those questions that a lot of people will have a lot of different answers for. If it were mine I would evaluate the following.
1. Does Engine have adequate time to warm up and go through an entire heat cycle during a normal ride?
2. What are my normal riding habits (I.E. flogging the pi$$ out of it or just nice cruising around).
3. Do I know how to use my enrichment device? be it a choke plate, carb circuit, whatever.
4. How do I feel about what my oil looked/smelled like after the last change, and what mileage interval was that at?
Anyway, I am sure I am missing some consideration or another. My personal opinion is that with quality oil, normal riding habits, and an engine in an adequate state of tune 3000 miles is not too far.
1. Does Engine have adequate time to warm up and go through an entire heat cycle during a normal ride?
2. What are my normal riding habits (I.E. flogging the pi$$ out of it or just nice cruising around).
3. Do I know how to use my enrichment device? be it a choke plate, carb circuit, whatever.
4. How do I feel about what my oil looked/smelled like after the last change, and what mileage interval was that at?
Anyway, I am sure I am missing some consideration or another. My personal opinion is that with quality oil, normal riding habits, and an engine in an adequate state of tune 3000 miles is not too far.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,795
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From: SE Louisiana
I can see it in my oil pressure gauge when it's time to change, usually around 3500 with mobil one for me.
I broke in my reman on castol 20w50 and saw a slight reduction in oil pressure at 2500 in summer heat.
When I see a slight drop in oil pressure from normal or new oil, it's time to change.
I broke in my reman on castol 20w50 and saw a slight reduction in oil pressure at 2500 in summer heat.
When I see a slight drop in oil pressure from normal or new oil, it's time to change.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
The book says 5,000 miles. If you do a lot of short local runs it is wise to reduce that interval, but if you do plenty of long runs mixed in that should be fine. Another way of looking at it is that if you do around say 3-5k miles a year, just change it at the end of each riding season.
More time gets spent talking about oil on HDF than almost any other subject, so don't get too wound up about it, or you will have sleepless nights!
More time gets spent talking about oil on HDF than almost any other subject, so don't get too wound up about it, or you will have sleepless nights!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 68
From: Big Bear City, CA
I didn't realize that, I've been thinking all these years that 3k was factory recommendation for oil changes. Who knows, I might have got that info out of my old Panhead manual and did it ever since.
Oh well, then I guess I don't have to get so bent when I put 3300 miles on before noticing it's time for an oil change.
Oh well, then I guess I don't have to get so bent when I put 3300 miles on before noticing it's time for an oil change.
Last edited by PanHeadRich; Apr 25, 2012 at 12:35 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 18
From: Beautiful SW Missouri Ozark Mountain Country
You're probably right, but over at the "touring" forum I swear the only thing they talk about is windshields.
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 343
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From: Las Vegas
For My Guys ~ I'm Going With 2,500 Mile Change
Hey Guys 
For me I rather baby my Harley so-what.
I'm going to go with: 2,500 before I change my oil and filter again.
Harley wanted $70.00 bucks plus tax for oil &
filter.
I went to good ol' PEPBOYS and bought 6qts. for Castrol Oil GTX & oil filter for:$53.50
HoRay for me.
Thanks 4 all you help guys in the past and hopefull in the future
For me I rather baby my Harley so-what.
I'm going to go with: 2,500 before I change my oil and filter again.
Harley wanted $70.00 bucks plus tax for oil &
filter.
I went to good ol' PEPBOYS and bought 6qts. for Castrol Oil GTX & oil filter for:$53.50
HoRay for me.
Thanks 4 all you help guys in the past and hopefull in the future
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Coromandel Peninsula New Zealand
Proper motor cycle oil has more nickel and other good things in it than car oil...I always use a proper oil made for air cooled V Twins unless the bike uses heaps of oil, in which I use what's cheap..
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 343
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From: Las Vegas
Clutch Lever Is 2 Far OUT Before She Starts To Move
Hey Grbrown
Got a question for you & whoever else wants to jump in on this issue I got.
When I put my bike in first gear and I start to open up my right hand. My left hand opens allmost half-way before my bike starts to move.
I really don't think from what I remember a great while back,that is was like that at all.
My Harley tech who use to work for Harley Dealership got his own shop and has been very fair and got me bike back on the road again.
He tell me that he's got to go into the primary and ajust the clutch plates,in order for me to have the bike move when I open up my left hand about 2 to 3 inches.
The question is guys " DOES HE REALLY HAVE TO DO THAT ? OR IS HE LOOKING FOR MORE $$$$
FROM ME ?
I'm in your hands guys.
I wait till I hear from you all.
Got a question for you & whoever else wants to jump in on this issue I got.
When I put my bike in first gear and I start to open up my right hand. My left hand opens allmost half-way before my bike starts to move.
I really don't think from what I remember a great while back,that is was like that at all.
My Harley tech who use to work for Harley Dealership got his own shop and has been very fair and got me bike back on the road again.
He tell me that he's got to go into the primary and ajust the clutch plates,in order for me to have the bike move when I open up my left hand about 2 to 3 inches.
The question is guys " DOES HE REALLY HAVE TO DO THAT ? OR IS HE LOOKING FOR MORE $$$$
FROM ME ?
I'm in your hands guys.
I wait till I hear from you all.
The book says 5,000 miles. If you do a lot of short local runs it is wise to reduce that interval, but if you do plenty of long runs mixed in that should be fine. Another way of looking at it is that if you do around say 3-5k miles a year, just change it at the end of each riding season.
More time gets spent talking about oil on HDF than almost any other subject, so don't get too wound up about it, or you will have sleepless nights!
More time gets spent talking about oil on HDF than almost any other subject, so don't get too wound up about it, or you will have sleepless nights!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Hi Schooner, when adjusting the clutch there are two things we need to do. The first is to slacken right off the adjuster in the clutch cable, then set the adjuster in the centre of the clutch, which is behind the round cover in your primary case. Second thing is to set the cable adjuster right. Doesn't take long!