Hello,
I've run my 2014 FATBOY for just 1500 miles since the last engine oil/filter change in October, 2021 with HD synthetic oil. This summer, I'm going to put some more mileage, say 3000 miles. is it better to give another oil change now, or the oil is still good for 5000 miles in total? The bike is driven only in a summer time and with no hard riding. any input appreciated.
Thanks!

 

I do 5000-7500 miles or yearly with full synthetic. Depends how much I ride. The first 3 years I put 60000 miles on my 07, I was changing the oil pretty regularly.
Small cost for peace of mind.

 

This question has been asked since man has been clubbing dinner. Here is some casual reading for you.

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+...-wiz-serp#ip=1

The factory recommended interval is every 5000 miles OR 1 year. According to that, your engine oil is overdue for a change. Does that mean you should change it? No. Some people change it every 3000 miles because "it is cheap insurance". Others have changed it once at 1000 miles and never again and their bike has 100000+ miles on it and still going strong. Your bike... your choice.

With this thread open, you will get every Tom, Dick and Harry posting how often they change it and, possibly, what oil they use. There will be as many different answers to your question as there are members.

To specifically address your situation, should you change it before your trip this summer? You could and have clean oil for the trip. Should you change it after your trip this summer? You could. Your engine won't stop running because you wait another 3000 miles..

 

I don't know if I even completely believe it (particularly with synthetic,) but if moisture enters the oil simply from sitting for months, and never getting hot enough to evaporate, the moisture actually can break down the oil, making it less efficient for the rest of the mileage.
So I go 5000 miles OR 1 year (on all my vehicles (and equipment.)

Just found this:
It is not just the base oil that can be affected by moisture contamination. Certain additives such as sulfurous anti-wear (AW) and extreme-pressure (EP) additives as well as phenolic antioxidants are readily hydrolyzed by water, causing both additive mortality and the formation of acidic by-products. These acidic by-products can produce corrosive wear, particularly in components containing soft metals like Babbitt, which is used with journal bearings, as well as bronze and brass components. Other additives, including demulsifying agents, dispersants, detergents and rust inhibitors, can be washed away by excessive moisture. This results in sludge and sediment buildup, filter plugging and poor oil/water demulsibility. (Machinery Lubrication)

 

So I'm going to beat the drum again on this. Cut open your oil filter and look in the media. This is a great way to see what's being collected in there and a good indicator on how often you should change the oil. Also, when you do change the oil look at the magnetic drain plug and see if there's much metal collected on it. Then take your oil pan out into the sun and look in there for the "sparkle" of suspended metal. If you really want to know send a sample off to Blackstone Labs or whoever. I change my oil every 3000 miles or yearly if one of my bikes doesn't get the mileage.

 

Thank much for your tips, guys! I got oil from a local HD dealer and did an oil change today. I got peace of mind and am ready to hit the road to Florida.

 

If the bike sits quite a bit, not a bad idea to keep those intervals close. In your situation now it may not be a bad idea to change it before summer gets busy. If the bike sees frequent use, these 2000-3000 mile oil changes are a waste of money and not "cheap insurance" as some claim it is. I routinely go 6000-7000 miles between motor oil changes with synthetic oil. My bike has higher mileage and has ran perfectly since day one.

 

normally i would say something witty or smart ***. but this time iam just shaking my head. esp with dapistonhead.

 

lol

 

As the saying goes, throttle it out! But in this case, any doubts, just change it. You did. Going forward, if you’re doubting anything, change it, fix it, **** it. Can’t go wrong. And changing oil just cause, as in “cheap insurance”, laughable as has anyone seen the prices? Cheap maybe 15 years ago. Ha ha ha