Oil changing
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 801
From: MN
Oil changing
In the past I've always changed my oil and filter before Winter storage and again in the Spring. Is their any benefits to the Spring oil change or is it a waste of time and money
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 10,833
Likes: 6,485
From: Canada Flats
I have always just left it until spring . I would take it for a spin and then drain the oil while it's still warm .... Done . How do you guys say it , planning on doing all three holes every spring . Unfortunately I only average about 5 - 10,000 km per season . Been doing that for over 15 years .
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 5,315
Likes: 4,272
From: Granville New York
The school of thought I've always heard and subscribed to is change it in the fall right before you put it away. The reasoning is this, that there is all kinds of nasty crap in your oil...even acid that you really don't want sitting in your motor for a few months. Change it, put in some stabilzer, run for a few minutes put it on the tender and then put a nice soft blanket on it for it's nap. Come spring time you're ready to go.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 689
From: WESTERN CHICAGO AREA
The school of thought I've always heard and subscribed to is change it in the fall right before you put it away. The reasoning is this, that there is all kinds of nasty crap in your oil...even acid that you really don't want sitting in your motor for a few months. Change it, put in some stabilzer, run for a few minutes put it on the tender and then put a nice soft blanket on it for it's nap. Come spring time you're ready to go.
After changing in the fall, I would ride the normal mileage/time in the spring that you would do for any oil change......just engine oil.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1,320
From: Good roads, cold beer
The transmission has a longer (more mileage) change cycle, but I still do it at least 1x per year when doing Fall oil change.
Note - you may want to put the model/year of your bike in your tech question posts in the future.
Last edited by F150HD; Dec 27, 2018 at 08:50 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1,320
From: Good roads, cold beer
Mind you a 'month before Spring' in MN it can be 5 degrees in an unheated garage. Far more sensible and easy to do in Fall when storing for winter.
Trending Topics
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1,320
From: Good roads, cold beer
The school of thought I've always heard and subscribed to is change it in the fall right before you put it away. The reasoning is this, that there is all kinds of nasty crap in your oil...even acid that you really don't want sitting in your motor for a few months. Change it, put in some stabilzer, run for a few minutes put it on the tender and then put a nice soft blanket on it for it's nap. Come spring time you're ready to go.
OP could lay on the garage floor by his bike and cover up with the blanket, far better idea
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,174
Likes: 1,960
From: Great State of Canada
The school of thought I've always heard and subscribed to is change it in the fall right before you put it away. The reasoning is this, that there is all kinds of nasty crap in your oil...even acid that you really don't want sitting in your motor for a few months. Change it, put in some stabilzer, run for a few minutes put it on the tender and then put a nice soft blanket on it for it's nap. Come spring time you're ready to go.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 2,261
From: Ft. Wayne IN
Do it in Fall as Screamin Beagle said above. I'm doing mine (full service) this week. Just short of 1000 miles on my 2018 FLHCS. I have tools, experience and a heated garage. Besides, I'm retired and a bit bored.