Winter storage
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Stage II
Joined: Jan 2024
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From: VA
Winter storage
Question: after my bike (2005 fatboy) has sat through winter I still have about 1300 miles before my next oil change. Someone told me to just replace the oil filter and ride until its time to change the oil. Does this sound right or should I wait or go ahead and change it the oil?
Thanks for the input !
Thanks for the input !
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,688
Likes: 3,790
From: backwoods
Some manufactors of various machines will say to skip filter changes. Not sure why you why you would only change the filter. I would either change it all cause it makes you feel good, many people do this. Myself I go until it needs an oil change but I make a point to ride it until it gets hot. If you do short trips in spring, maybe change sooner.
Myself, I would do nothing, but ride it.
Myself, I would do nothing, but ride it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,129
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From: Ottawa, CANADA
I would changer the oil. It's been sitting contaminated, and possibly gathering moisture.
What I do for winter storage is change the oils/filter right before I put her away. That way she spends her winter with fresh oils, with no contaminants, and when I take her out of storage, I run the regular mileage until the next change.
Cheers!
What I do for winter storage is change the oils/filter right before I put her away. That way she spends her winter with fresh oils, with no contaminants, and when I take her out of storage, I run the regular mileage until the next change.
Cheers!
Last edited by Clammy; Jan 13, 2024 at 08:58 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 1,514
Likes: 1,823
From: Omaha
If you are using synthetic run it until it needs to be changed, this is what I do, I once had the bike at a harley dealer for storage and was just going to have them change the oil before going into storage, I mentioned I only had about 1500 miles on the previous oil change. He said he would leave it alone. Also, don't start you bike while in storage unless you are going to drive it for awhile.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 5,276
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From: central Fl
starting a stored bike? no start until ready to ride. rule to live by, at least i do. starting a bike= 20 miles or let it run for 20 minutes, add fan if needed. just my rule, not written in stone. ask 20 people and get 20 different answers. 
if you want to change oil do it AFTER the storage not before
if you want to change oil do it AFTER the storage not before
Last edited by IBE; Jan 14, 2024 at 09:37 AM.
The idea of changing the oil after the bike has sat for an extended period of time is to get rid of any moisture that has accumulated while sitting. Now the I'm thinking about could fuel somehow seep down into the oil? Grasping here. If you are not going to change it at the beginning of the season, and even if you do, try to take a nice long ride to burn of any moisture that has accumulated in the oil.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
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From: backwoods
I don't worry about either. But if I was going to I would do it before parked. Any moisture that could collect, would collect no matter the oil in there, and try to make a point to take it out for ride long enough to cook it off. Granted that is hard in spring.
If anything, change it in the spring, after your first couple shorter rides.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,129
Likes: 1,981
From: Ottawa, CANADA
The idea of changing the oil after the bike has sat for an extended period of time is to get rid of any moisture that has accumulated while sitting. Now the I'm thinking about could fuel somehow seep down into the oil? Grasping here. If you are not going to change it at the beginning of the season, and even if you do, try to take a nice long ride to burn of any moisture that has accumulated in the oil.
Cheers!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,925
Likes: 11,446
From: NE Ohio
Question: after my bike (2005 fatboy) has sat through winter I still have about 1300 miles before my next oil change. Someone told me to just replace the oil filter and ride until its time to change the oil. Does this sound right or should I wait or go ahead and change it the oil?
Thanks for the input !
Thanks for the input !
what's your owners manual recommendation?
If you don't have one, you can read it online via Harley's web site
I believe it recommends changing oil before storing for months.
(BTW, fill the gas tank full too)
donno how often you change oil.
So no clue if "1300 miles left" means 3000, 4000 or more miles on current oil.
if over 3000 miles, I'd change it before storage as the manual recommends "just because" the manual says so...
.... and I wouldn't have to dik with it soon after riding weather has me back out regular
..L.T.A.
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