proper piston ring break-in procedure
proper piston ring break-in procedure
this coming straight from hastings, the manufacturer of almost all rings out there.
BREAK-IN PROCEDUREBack
STARTING PROCEDURESTARTING
BREAK-IN PROCEDUREBack
STARTING PROCEDURE1. Set tappets, adjust carburetor and ignition timing as accurately as possible before starting engine.
2. Start engine and set throttle to an engine speed of approximately 25 miles per hour (trucks, tractors and stationary engines one-third throttle) until the engine coolant reaches normal operating temperature. Then shut down engine and retorque cylinder head bolts, recheck carburetor adjustments, ignition timing and valve tappet clearance. (Run engine at fast idle during warm-up period to assure adequate initial lubrication for piston rings, pistons and cylinders.)
BREAK-IN PROCEDURE2. Start engine and set throttle to an engine speed of approximately 25 miles per hour (trucks, tractors and stationary engines one-third throttle) until the engine coolant reaches normal operating temperature. Then shut down engine and retorque cylinder head bolts, recheck carburetor adjustments, ignition timing and valve tappet clearance. (Run engine at fast idle during warm-up period to assure adequate initial lubrication for piston rings, pistons and cylinders.)
1. Make a test run at 30 miles per hour and accelerate at full throttle to 50 miles per hour. Repeat the acceleration cycle from 30 to 50 miles per hour at least ten times. No further break-in is necessary. If traffic conditions will not permit this procedure, accelerate the engine rapidly several times through the intermediate gears during the check run. The object is to apply a load to the engine for short periods of time and in rapid succession soon after engine warm up. This action thrusts the piston rings against the cylinder wall with increased pressure and results in accelerated ring seating.
BackSTARTING
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 8
From: Beaverton, Oregon
It's a good question. We are told by all motorcycle manufacturers and car manufacturers to break new motors in like they are newborn infants. Then there is this guys breakin procedure, in which he explains pretty well why to break in hard. Rings can be installed right but that is no gaurantee they are going to set right.
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
Start it up, let it idle a few seconds then run it ***** out for a lil bit. Rings will seat well, and you will get the most HP out of the motor. May shave a LITTLE off the life of the motor. The pressure from the combustion forces the rings out and makes them seat nicely.
I'm sure someone will be here shortly to say I'm nuts and you need to baby it for hundreds of miles.
I'm sure someone will be here shortly to say I'm nuts and you need to baby it for hundreds of miles.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 765
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
I could write out the entire process as described by Zippers for my new top end build, but it is very lengthly. It involves running the motor in 10 sec. intervals with adequate time for cooling in between. Something like 4 10 sec. runs, 4 25 sec runs, 2 45 sec runs, 2 90 sec runs, then change oil and ride gently for the first few hundred.
Their quote "pistons do not die, they are KILLED"
Their quote "pistons do not die, they are KILLED"
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 3
From: North Georgia
Get this chit...
First bike tear down for me...hell I didn't know!!
Did a geardrive / big bore project. Asked my machinist about break in proceedure....
Was told to start it up, bring it to 2.2k rpm and let it run for 20 minutes...just make sure ya got big box fans on it.
?????HUH??????
Yep...asked three differrent times over a week. Same explaination each time.
Figgured what the Hell...they do this for a living, and I've spent my cash with them...gotta go with their method. Followed those instructions to a "T."
When the owner of the shop found out what I'd done, he had concerns (to say the least)...seems I had received some missinformation. Got a personal call from him almost immediately.
He 'splained that you want heat cycles (more than just ONE.) Said that if anything was hurt, they'd make it right.
Gotta say that she runs like a beast.(compared to stock) Got 1k on it in the last 2 weeks. Have a turner lined up to dial her in...gonna be about 2 weeks. He told me he'd check the integrity of the engine (comp check / leakdown test), to make sure of no issues.
All this just goes to show that these really are tough motors!!!
Just sayin'
Beav
First bike tear down for me...hell I didn't know!!
Did a geardrive / big bore project. Asked my machinist about break in proceedure....
Was told to start it up, bring it to 2.2k rpm and let it run for 20 minutes...just make sure ya got big box fans on it.
?????HUH??????Yep...asked three differrent times over a week. Same explaination each time.
Figgured what the Hell...they do this for a living, and I've spent my cash with them...gotta go with their method. Followed those instructions to a "T."
When the owner of the shop found out what I'd done, he had concerns (to say the least)...seems I had received some missinformation. Got a personal call from him almost immediately.
He 'splained that you want heat cycles (more than just ONE.) Said that if anything was hurt, they'd make it right.Gotta say that she runs like a beast.(compared to stock) Got 1k on it in the last 2 weeks. Have a turner lined up to dial her in...gonna be about 2 weeks. He told me he'd check the integrity of the engine (comp check / leakdown test), to make sure of no issues.
All this just goes to show that these really are tough motors!!!
Just sayin'
Beav
Trending Topics
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
The "Motoman" breakin 30-50mph runs on a new motor is bullshit IMO. I heat cycle my engines for the first 100-200 miles 20-30 minutes running then complete cool down then 20-30 minutes and so on. Oil changes at 100/500/1000.
Never any leaks, excellent cyl pressures and never uses any oil.
Never any leaks, excellent cyl pressures and never uses any oil.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Of the dozen or so new motorcycles I've had since I was a kid, and several new cars also, I've never "broken in" a motor. Never. I'm not about to start now. That "keep it below 50 for the first 500 miles" is BS. Doesn't help your motor last longer. Well, it kind of does. It takes longer for you to put any miles on it. 
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,808
Likes: 3
hmm.. well, I bought my bike from a dealer 90 miles away and just rode it home normally brand spanking new. I kept to back roads and town roads to avoid running at highway speeds for a long period.
That's about it.
16K miles and no issues apparent.
this is like the synth/dino debate... ask 10 people that work on engines for a living and you will likely get 10 somewhat different answers.
That's about it.
16K miles and no issues apparent.
this is like the synth/dino debate... ask 10 people that work on engines for a living and you will likely get 10 somewhat different answers.