Oil sludge question
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
Start the bike and ride it till the condensate flashes out of the oil tank. That is why an oil cooler with a thermostat is important. A lot of people don't ride their motorcycles enough to flash off the condensate ---so they should change oil more often.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 0
From:
positive to contribute, STFU!!
Hugs and kisses
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
From: Rockland County Ny
Buy yourself an oil cap/dipstick with the temperature gauge on it. Not the digital kind, the analog one. Can get them for like $20 - $30. Mine was on the bike when I bought it. Nice to know the oil temp at any given moment by just a glance.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 2
From: DUNDALK,MARYLAND
If there is any thing not right with my oil I would just change it to be safe. I have got condensate from riding in big storms on long rides. The white stuff around the oil cap just will not burn out. It's easyer to change the oil to feel better.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,592
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
Use it
I am 62 and had many engines torn down. Been doing all my own work since taking auto mechanics class in high school. Ride your bike. Do not worry about it. That is a short ride but its easier on a air cooled Harley then a car but in either case if you change your oil at the factory times you will be OK. If it was my car I would do it at the optional shorter period in the book. My Harley I would just do it at the book regular time. I ride all year and have been into the cam case and the primary. Check my pictures out at grf000. I only change the oil once a year and usually skip the filter ever other time. I saw not a trace of sludge. In the summer around here if anything my Harley could use about a cup or two of water in the oil (just kidding)
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Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 932
Likes: 3
From: Tuscaloosa Alabama
my ride to work is 6.5 miles and I ride to work year round .In the winter when I ride home on a cold night (12:30 am when I ride home) oil temp is only 110 but engine temp is around 180.I have never had a problem with sludge in the engine or oil.I will get the milky stuff around the filler cap in the oil tank in the winter.If that bothers you all you have to do is loosen the cap or remove it until the next ride and the water vapor will exit thru the opening and the stuff won't form.