The Big Loop
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 20,424
Likes: 24,218
From: WetCoast
Seems like a messy thing to save a few bucks. When I did my 10 week - 13,000 mile BC/California/Alaska/Ontario/BC ride a few years ago I left with clean oil and did two changes on the route at two Harley shops. ... and one when I got home.
Sounds like Ike a great 6 week adventure. Looks like a great route.
Sounds like Ike a great 6 week adventure. Looks like a great route.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 497
Likes: 187
From: Dallas area
KUDOS on you, @iron mule! That's what it's all about; helping out a brother. I hope life smiles on you, just for making the offer.
You too, @gtmalone; you guys are solid!
You too, @gtmalone; you guys are solid!
Last edited by gtmalone; Apr 9, 2019 at 09:36 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 185
From: Utah
Last summer on my 48 State ride, we all changed our oil in Erie, PA. Had no trouble finding oil and like you, I took a K&N filter with me. Since, like you, we had all left with fresh oil and new filters, we decided to skip the filter change and just changed the oil. Gave me a little heartburn, but saving the mess of the filter change was worth it. We bought a cheap plastic drain pan and funnel -- but probably not quite as cheap as Vernal's foil baking pan. It did have the advantage of a "spout" molded into the edge of the pan. That's easy enough to add to a foil pan, though. I really like that idea.
We did our oil changes at the hotel, which gave us the advantage of a canopy. The hotel management had no problem with us changing our oil right there under the canopy. That might have been influenced by the fact that we were on a charity ride, had just ridden through a torrential downpour, and probably looked as pitiful as any group they'd ever seen.
I find that changing my own oil is actually less of a hassle than taking it to the dealer -- especially if you're in a good sized group. Waiting for the dealer to get to you can sometimes be much more stressful than the work of the oil change, which I personally find a bit therapeutic.
Your ride sounds outstanding. Stay safe, have fun, and post lots of pictures.
We did our oil changes at the hotel, which gave us the advantage of a canopy. The hotel management had no problem with us changing our oil right there under the canopy. That might have been influenced by the fact that we were on a charity ride, had just ridden through a torrential downpour, and probably looked as pitiful as any group they'd ever seen.
I find that changing my own oil is actually less of a hassle than taking it to the dealer -- especially if you're in a good sized group. Waiting for the dealer to get to you can sometimes be much more stressful than the work of the oil change, which I personally find a bit therapeutic.
Your ride sounds outstanding. Stay safe, have fun, and post lots of pictures.
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,805
Likes: 47
From: Lake Tahoe California
Ahh, the memories!! That was a great time! We'll be doing the "Sisters" road outside of Austin, staying in Austin for a day (I'm presenting to an Academy class for Texas DPS/Rangers), then riding towards New Orleans. I'd love to get together while in the region. I'll take your suggestion and post over at HSOA and also send you a PM to get updated contact information between us.
Ride Safe!!
Ride Safe!!
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,805
Likes: 47
From: Lake Tahoe California
Thank you! Great tips. I'll have two GoPro-type cameras mounted to the bike. I will have a lot of video editing to do after the ride, but it should be epic!
Ride Safe!
Ride Safe!
Last summer on my 48 State ride, we all changed our oil in Erie, PA. Had no trouble finding oil and like you, I took a K&N filter with me. Since, like you, we had all left with fresh oil and new filters, we decided to skip the filter change and just changed the oil. Gave me a little heartburn, but saving the mess of the filter change was worth it. We bought a cheap plastic drain pan and funnel -- but probably not quite as cheap as Vernal's foil baking pan. It did have the advantage of a "spout" molded into the edge of the pan. That's easy enough to add to a foil pan, though. I really like that idea.
We did our oil changes at the hotel, which gave us the advantage of a canopy. The hotel management had no problem with us changing our oil right there under the canopy. That might have been influenced by the fact that we were on a charity ride, had just ridden through a torrential downpour, and probably looked as pitiful as any group they'd ever seen.
I find that changing my own oil is actually less of a hassle than taking it to the dealer -- especially if you're in a good sized group. Waiting for the dealer to get to you can sometimes be much more stressful than the work of the oil change, which I personally find a bit therapeutic.
Your ride sounds outstanding. Stay safe, have fun, and post lots of pictures.
We did our oil changes at the hotel, which gave us the advantage of a canopy. The hotel management had no problem with us changing our oil right there under the canopy. That might have been influenced by the fact that we were on a charity ride, had just ridden through a torrential downpour, and probably looked as pitiful as any group they'd ever seen.
I find that changing my own oil is actually less of a hassle than taking it to the dealer -- especially if you're in a good sized group. Waiting for the dealer to get to you can sometimes be much more stressful than the work of the oil change, which I personally find a bit therapeutic.
Your ride sounds outstanding. Stay safe, have fun, and post lots of pictures.
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,805
Likes: 47
From: Lake Tahoe California
Kudos for recognizing these guys.
One of, of not the best thing about motorcycling are some of the great guys riding them. I have made some of my best friends, my brothers, while riding and through riding. There are some who don't share and don't care. That's why it's so important to honor those who embody the brotherhood. These two, and I'm sure you too, are what riding is all about.
Ride Safe!
One of, of not the best thing about motorcycling are some of the great guys riding them. I have made some of my best friends, my brothers, while riding and through riding. There are some who don't share and don't care. That's why it's so important to honor those who embody the brotherhood. These two, and I'm sure you too, are what riding is all about.
Ride Safe!
KUDOS on you, @iron mule! That's what it's all about; helping out a brother. I hope life smiles on you, just for making the offer.
You too, @gtmalone; you guys are solid!
You too, @gtmalone; you guys are solid!
Novice
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 19
Likes: 7
From: doncaster
That would be my once in a lifetime trip , what a trip look forward to seeing the pics , a long ride for us in the uk is 200 miles 
but hey even 20 miles on a Harley is a nice ride whatever the weather
ride safe everyone
but hey even 20 miles on a Harley is a nice ride whatever the weather
ride safe everyone
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 497
Likes: 187
From: Dallas area
You'll love the TX Hill Country. The wife and I took the Corvette down there the past few days - top down most of the time! Four days in a row with NO RAIN! Here are some pics. The wildflowers will be gone by the time you get there but you still get a sense of the area. Sorry there aren't more road pics. Not many places to pull over especially in a car.
https://s471.photobucket.com/user/gt...sburg%25202019
https://s471.photobucket.com/user/gt...sburg%25202019
Last edited by gtmalone; Apr 30, 2019 at 05:29 PM.
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