I know I will get many replies and how this is unnecessary, foolish, a waste of time and money, how "it's been done like that for 100 years", blah, blah, blah. This is just for those who does not know or agree with how much dirty, old filthy oil that is left behind when doing an oil change. I have used the scavenger for 2 years now but I never paid close attention to just exactly how much old oil I left behind. I just did my pre-winter fluid changes and I measured it this time. I got 30 OZ of old black filthy oil out of it. Since that oil change I had put down about 100 miles and when I checked the level when I parked it it was still crystal clear. Oil is changed because it gets dirty, not because it wears out. Why anyone would not want to purge that filth out is beyond me but I also don't judge. I did it the "old fashion" my whole life too but I am never against modern technology, upgrading or improving when and where possible. It costs me another quart of oil and about 5 more minutes of my time than before. For the benefits I have no problem with that at all.

Also, putting the bike up for the winter. A lot of people park their bikes with old oil in it and do the fresh oil change in the spring in preparation for a new riding season. I never tell anyone what to do but that is not a good thing. A hot engine draws moisture and it's not good to leave that in your motor all winter. It creates sludge and it can actually damage your engine sitting there all winter. It is also not a good thing to start it in the dead of winter to circulate the oil through it or to "just warm it up". If you going to start it wait until there is a day where you can actually ride it for 15 or 20 miles then when parking it put cotton cloths in your exhaust tips so that when it pulls air when it cools the rags capture the moisture. When the bike has totally cooled down remove the cotton cloth so that the exhausts can sit there and air dry. For those who thinks one I am only concerned about the cosmetics and the appearance of my bike, I am even more concerned what goes on inside of it and I am just as picky if not more so.

It looks nice and sunny out, maybe in the high 50's so I am outta here for what might be the last of riding around here. I'm an old fart and my bones can't take that bitter cold riding anymore, call me a puzzy if you must but it is what it is.

 

..hi-jack...
..speaking of winter storage... is there a recommended "state" for a shotgun that's likely to sit for several months?
Seems like dumping the air would be a good idea.
The bike will most likely be up on a jack again like last winter.

 

That might be best answered by JD himself. I don't know what kind of "winter experience or exposure" he himself has though. I do not have a climate controlled garage so my bike sits in a heated like tent type deal that I made myself and I keep my bike around 55 degrees all winter. I would think moisture build up in it would not be a good thing if it's allowed to drop below freezing. I will contact JD and ask him if there is something "prefered" to be done with it to keep it operating and working properly. I will post it up once I hear back form him.

 

First...if your oil is black...you are not changing it often enough.
Second there is not 30 oz of dirty oil left in your engine. Put 2 drops of blue food coloring in a glass of water, and the whole glass turns blue...that is all you are seeing. Softails do have a bad design, the drain is on the right,and the kickstand is on the left...so if you drain your oil on the kickstand, you are leaving a lot of oil in the tank...change it on a jack, or lean the bike over to get the oil out. As far as the cotton cloths in the exhaust....really???

 

I've stuffed plastic bags in mine during extended storage, but to discourage any critters from setting up housekeeping...

 

delete. double.

 

Yeah done that too, but read somewhere steel wool is better.

 

I agree that if the oil is black it has been in the engine a bit to long.

However, I respectfully disagree with your 2 drops of blue analogy. There are actually 24 to 30 oz of old oil left in the sump and other engine plumbing, and this is true when you drain on a floor lift.

 

Yes I use the scavenger on my softail, almost a full quart of old oil coming out and when I get my oil cooler on a whole lot more will need to be pumped out. A little extra work but worth it.

 

I have done hundreds of oil changes on my HD's over the years. Never worried about that I was not changing all of it...in fact, still not worried about it.

After years of reading about using a scavenging system to change ALL the oil, I finally decided to give it a try.

Did my first full oil change ever a few weeks ago. Got just shy of a full quart of old oil out.

Can't hurt, can only help, and it is nice to know that it is all new oil in there.

I think it is running a bit smoother....but that is probably placebo.