Oil Change Question
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 938
From: Ohio
We have 4 bikes (actually 3 bikes and 1 trike), three of which use SYN3, and the EVO is filled with "dino" oil.
The EVO sits "a lot" and the fluids haven't been changed in three years (or so) but it has not been ridden very much (perhaps 50 or so miles.
From my experience with our bikes (that sit) I have more problems with fuel than I do with lubricants, mainly in the the carbed EVO and not much at all with the EFI bikes.
If I start the EVO (at least once per season) it seems to be fine but on two seperate occasions I allowed it to sit too long and I had to remove the carb and completely disassemble and thoroughly clean if in order to make the engine run correctly.
I've also had issues with my generator due to putting Stabil in the fuel tank so no more of that for me but I will start the generator more often and replace the fuel annually
JMHO, it's better to start an engine (occasionally) and let it run long enough to get up to operating temperature and put a few (easy) miles than it is to let them sit indefinitely.
My wife's '08 Heritage has SYN3 in it and the oil is as clean as it ws when I changed it a little over two years ago.
I can't see changing the fluids (and filter) even annually just to let the bike sit (which I used to do),
The EVO sits "a lot" and the fluids haven't been changed in three years (or so) but it has not been ridden very much (perhaps 50 or so miles.
From my experience with our bikes (that sit) I have more problems with fuel than I do with lubricants, mainly in the the carbed EVO and not much at all with the EFI bikes.
If I start the EVO (at least once per season) it seems to be fine but on two seperate occasions I allowed it to sit too long and I had to remove the carb and completely disassemble and thoroughly clean if in order to make the engine run correctly.
I've also had issues with my generator due to putting Stabil in the fuel tank so no more of that for me but I will start the generator more often and replace the fuel annually
JMHO, it's better to start an engine (occasionally) and let it run long enough to get up to operating temperature and put a few (easy) miles than it is to let them sit indefinitely.
My wife's '08 Heritage has SYN3 in it and the oil is as clean as it ws when I changed it a little over two years ago.
I can't see changing the fluids (and filter) even annually just to let the bike sit (which I used to do),
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 403
Likes: 44
From: Montana
Hi all,
I've heard the don't start and warm it up in the winter before and have always followed that advise on my 99 RK and now on my 15 RGS. I also vent my throttle body to the ground. I live in western Montana where it not only can get cold but we also have some thawing come Feb, March and April. I use to put cotton sheets over my bike to keep the dust off but would notice condensation on the chrome during those warm periods. This last spring before my first ride of the year I backed her out of my garage and started her up to warm her up before my ride A puddle of moisture pooled under the bike about a foot in diameter on the concrete. I thought I had some sort of leak till I realized it was water coming out of breather vent to ground. Since then I've wondered which would be worst for bike, occasional start and clear or wait till spring. Thoughts?.....goldie
I've heard the don't start and warm it up in the winter before and have always followed that advise on my 99 RK and now on my 15 RGS. I also vent my throttle body to the ground. I live in western Montana where it not only can get cold but we also have some thawing come Feb, March and April. I use to put cotton sheets over my bike to keep the dust off but would notice condensation on the chrome during those warm periods. This last spring before my first ride of the year I backed her out of my garage and started her up to warm her up before my ride A puddle of moisture pooled under the bike about a foot in diameter on the concrete. I thought I had some sort of leak till I realized it was water coming out of breather vent to ground. Since then I've wondered which would be worst for bike, occasional start and clear or wait till spring. Thoughts?.....goldie
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 667
From: Texas
If it isn't to late, get a sample container from ;
https://www.blackstone-labs.com/
then siphon out from the oil fill, send it in.
Would be interesting to see what the report says.
https://www.blackstone-labs.com/
then siphon out from the oil fill, send it in.
Would be interesting to see what the report says.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
Sounds rather like moisture comes up through your concrete slab. You can tell readily enough, by a damp spot being under things left sitting on it for a few days. In which case a sheet of plastic between the bike and the slab can help, a lot.
But that same sheet of plastic can pool water if its coming from airborne moisture via condensation.
A dehumidifier can be a wonderful tool in a damp environment.
Classic fogging oil sprayed into an engine via the spark plug holes can also go a very long way to protecting cylinder walls and piston rings from rust.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Raxus
Tri Glide, RG3 & Freewheeler Models
4
Oct 17, 2014 09:00 PM
