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Engine Oil change frequency
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,586
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
I truly would not worry about it. Once a year is fine. If you only put a few hundred on it, don't worry about it. These cold-blooded engines are hot as a firecracker in 10 miles. Oil stained hurts nothing.
Change all three holes when you change. The primary and transmission have no filter and are full of metal. So, draining may get some out if you run it first before drain.
Years ago, 3K was recommended. A year and 10-15K hurts nothing now with synthetic. I checked the valves a while back in RIP's car we gave to grandaughter that had a little over 100K. Purchased new and change once a year. Averaged about 10-14K a year.. Looked like new under the cover. Cam timing was dead on and it's a link chain. Solid lifter valve clearance was off about .001 tight but still intolerance. Does have a mile of tensioner and guides.
Realize this is a car but it had many short trips on it.
If it was mine, I would change it in 5K if it took 5 years to get there. You will never wear it out.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Aug 24, 2018 at 03:40 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
I change my oil then go on a ten mile ride to get gas and top up the fuel tanks.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,586
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
Only if it gives you warm fuzzy fillings . Serves no other reason till you add 3800.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,552
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From: Vermont
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 132
Likes: 15
From: Matlacha, Fl.
I do my engine & primary every 2500 miles and the tranny every 5000. It's a small price to pay for piece of mind.. Use Lucas dino oil exclusively
Last edited by W.Murphy; Aug 24, 2018 at 07:14 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,982
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From: Michigan
I use SYN-3 in two of our bikes (the one's I call "road bikes") but I use dino in my '98 EVO carb'ed Heritage Springer as it rarely get's ridden.
I try to start it up now and then, wash and wax it and then put it back up in it's storage location in our attached garage.
Even on out "road bikes" I change the oil at least once a year (my wife rarely rides her bike more than once per year) and on my bike closer to 3,000 miles.
I change the primary oil when I do the engine, and I try to do the trans at every other service with the Red Line "pepto-like" gear oil
I try to start it up now and then, wash and wax it and then put it back up in it's storage location in our attached garage.
Even on out "road bikes" I change the oil at least once a year (my wife rarely rides her bike more than once per year) and on my bike closer to 3,000 miles.
I change the primary oil when I do the engine, and I try to do the trans at every other service with the Red Line "pepto-like" gear oil
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 220
Likes: 21
From: lv
A lot of people are missing the part in the manual where it says to change every 5000 miles or annually. In other words you should change it at least once a year or five thousand miles which other comes first. Now is it going to kill you if you go a little over or if you do a little under? No. But I certainly wouldn't leave it for 2 years.
