riding in the cold
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 2
From: s.e. Kansas
riding in the cold
I was wondering, since its getting colder now if I should use a thinner grade of oil in the bike or if it makes a difference once the bike is warmed up to operating temps. I use amsoil 20w 50 full synthetic. My bike is an 86' 883 xl.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 7
From: Clermont, GA, CSA
RE: riding in the cold
I'm using Amsoil 20-50w too. I had the feared 'rocker box leak' a few years ago. I learned to warm it up slow.
In warm weather, for the first start of the day, I let it idle for 2 minutes.
In cold weather, it's 5 minutes, or at least till the rocker boxes are warm to the touch.
In warm weather, for the first start of the day, I let it idle for 2 minutes.
In cold weather, it's 5 minutes, or at least till the rocker boxes are warm to the touch.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 3
From: Southeast Wisconsin
RE: riding in the cold
ORIGINAL: SportyReb
I'm using Amsoil 20-50w too. I had the feared 'rocker box leak' a few years ago. I learned to warm it up slow.
In warm weather, for the first start of the day, I let it idle for 2 minutes.
In cold weather, it's 5 minutes, or at least till the rocker boxes are warm to the touch.
I'm using Amsoil 20-50w too. I had the feared 'rocker box leak' a few years ago. I learned to warm it up slow.
In warm weather, for the first start of the day, I let it idle for 2 minutes.
In cold weather, it's 5 minutes, or at least till the rocker boxes are warm to the touch.
The lead salesman at my dealer, who has been riding Harley's for over 40 years, always tells his customers during their orientation that they should do exactly what you recommended here. Good advice!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,334
Likes: 2
RE: riding in the cold
I was wondering, since its getting colder now if I should use a thinner grade of oil in the bike or if it makes a difference once the bike is warmed up to operating temps.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 2
From: Glens Falls, NY
RE: riding in the cold
If you are covered by a warrenty, use ONLY what they recomend - If not, use only what you are comfortable with.
Print these out at work then read them in the crapper at home
https://www.hdforums.com/m_143328/tm.htm
https://www.hdforums.com/m_143330/tm.htm
INTERESTING tidbit: I was told by the dealer this past Sat. that synthetics tend to "blow by" the breather more than standard oils, this was a coment to a question I had called them about, when I found a drop of oil on the floor and a streak that had run down the right side of the crank case ( I had thought it came from the air filter). When I mentioned I was not running synthetics, I was told "they all do it to a point, we see it more with syntetics"
Just repeating what I was told, as it turned out I had other problems and think I would be happy at this point to be worrying about breather blow by or which oil to use when it gets cold - good luck
Print these out at work then read them in the crapper at home
https://www.hdforums.com/m_143328/tm.htm
https://www.hdforums.com/m_143330/tm.htm
INTERESTING tidbit: I was told by the dealer this past Sat. that synthetics tend to "blow by" the breather more than standard oils, this was a coment to a question I had called them about, when I found a drop of oil on the floor and a streak that had run down the right side of the crank case ( I had thought it came from the air filter). When I mentioned I was not running synthetics, I was told "they all do it to a point, we see it more with syntetics"
Just repeating what I was told, as it turned out I had other problems and think I would be happy at this point to be worrying about breather blow by or which oil to use when it gets cold - good luck
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 737
Likes: 1
From:
RE: riding in the cold
Running what the dealer recommends until the warranty is gone. Would hate to have to fight them on a warranty claim and pray that I do NOt need the warranty.
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