Break In Procedure
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Road Master
Joined: May 2012
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From: OREGON
Break In Procedure
So... New crate motor, looking for opinions on break in. Seems as if there are two options out there...
S&S reccomends the 50, 500, 1000 mile interval break-in schedule. I've also read about a dyno break-in.
What are your thoughts? Thanks.
S&S reccomends the 50, 500, 1000 mile interval break-in schedule. I've also read about a dyno break-in.
What are your thoughts? Thanks.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
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From:
When my Indy rebuilt and upgraded my 88 to a 96, just to make sure everything was dialed in right, they put it on a dyno. After they dynoed it they also advised me on how they wanted to to break in the motor as I rode. They wanted me to vary my speeds and not stay at a constant speed for long periods at a time and they also didn't want me to lug the motor. After 500 miles, they wanted me to bring it back in to do a follow up check because they had put in break in oil in it and also at 1000 just to make sure and then put in my regular oil. Since they were the ones that rebuilt and also warrantied my new motor, I did as they suggested. There's a good chance that you will find several different ideas on this subject but I decided to follow the advice of the people that work on my bike.
Last edited by SPRINGER; Apr 18, 2015 at 01:15 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 600
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From: Rochester, NY
Break-In periods would make more sense if they were called Wear-In periods. Think of a new engine like a new shoe. Your foot may fit in the new shoe but you will need a break-in period to get it to conform to the shape of your foot. New engines work the same way. The engine has moving parts that come in contact with each other. A good example is the piston/ring and the cylinder wall. Even though these parts are precision machined they are not perfect. These parts have to wear-in (find their groove). The reason to take it easy with a new motor is to allow the wear-in process to happen without damage. Running the engine hard during this period will increase heat, which inturn exaggerates the wear, causing loose tolerances and internal leaks. 500 miles seems to be the lower limit while 1000 miles seems to be the standard.
It is also important to change your oil and filter after the break-in period. Engine manufacturers use assembly lube when building engines. This helps components to be assembled with little effort and without causing damage. It also helps with the initial start of a dry engine. The oil will wash of the assembly lube but assembly lube is thicker than oil and will clog the oil filter. Another reason is the metal fillings that are produced during the wear-in period. You may even have to do this again after another 1000 miles just to be sure the engine internals are clean.
It is also important to change your oil and filter after the break-in period. Engine manufacturers use assembly lube when building engines. This helps components to be assembled with little effort and without causing damage. It also helps with the initial start of a dry engine. The oil will wash of the assembly lube but assembly lube is thicker than oil and will clog the oil filter. Another reason is the metal fillings that are produced during the wear-in period. You may even have to do this again after another 1000 miles just to be sure the engine internals are clean.
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