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Getting ready to take my horse out cause Spring at the door here in Québec (Canada). Was wandering if there is something specific That I should do before releasing the beast from is jack. I’m new to Harley, bought Heritage 2018 last year in september. Any suggestion or advices.
Yup everything done before storage. Was wandering if for the first start after storage there Was something I must be aware, like let it run longer (idle), just go for long slow ride?
Yup everything done before storage. Was wandering if for the first start after storage there Was something I must be aware, like let it run longer (idle), just go for long slow ride?
Idling is worse than not starting.... Don't bother to start it until you are ready to ride it.... I always let my bikes get to operating temps before "playing" with the throttle, but then... go have fun..
Make sure the first ride will be long enough to burn out any moisture accumulated over winter storage... Generally speaking 20-30 minutes at operating temperature should evaporate any moisture in the oil...
Last edited by hattitude; Mar 6, 2025 at 12:55 PM.
Yup everything done before storage. Was wandering if for the first start after storage there Was something I must be aware, like let it run longer (idle), just go for long slow ride?
Everything still has a oil film on it. Pressure is up within seconds. Pressure is only required to get oil thru to the longest area it needs to travel.
Harleys need little pressure. Big engines in cars need a lot more.
Now I am a firm believer in letting in warm up a little driving along before you hammer on it. That just to get everything warm as designed for proper clearances.
Now if it was a old TCb Softail like mine with a oil tank under seat, it takes a good 10 minutes running around at around 2000 or so to get all the sump oil back into the tank if it sets 6 months.
Now if it was a old TCb Softail like mine with a oil tank under seat, it takes a good 10 minutes running around at around 2000 or so to get all the sump oil back into the tank if it sets 6 months.
You may want to inspect your oil pump for wear/damage.
FWIW...
I ride my '01 & '03 Softails often enough that they don't drain oil into the sump.... but my '03 once sat long enough that the oil drained into the sump.... In about 2 minutes of idling, my oil tank was full again...
You may want to inspect your oil pump for wear/damage.
FWIW...
I ride my '01 & '03 Softails often enough that they don't drain oil into the sump.... but my '03 once sat long enough that the oil drained into the sump.... In about 2 minutes of idling, my oil tank was full again...
It's just eye candy now. Probably the o-ring. Does have 50k on it.
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Spring maintenances
