Oil change after storage
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 112
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Oil change after storage
Hey all...Like some opinions on this subject. I live in SE Michigan, and store my bike in an unheated garage in the winter. I change the oil shortly before storing it, and again in the spring. The last few magazines I've picked up have had articles about removing your bike from storage. They allsay, "Change the oil and filter before starting your bike."When I take my bike out in the spring, I prepare for the oil change, then take her for a good ride to get the oil hot,thenreturn home and dump it. I do the sameduring the season. Livingina cold winter climate,I can'tsee pullingthe drain plugwith cold oil sitting in the pan.Aren't I better off taking her for a ride to getit hot beforehand?One of my friends does thesame withhis bikes...some may say moisture may haveformed in the oil... butI've read thatany moisture thatmay accumulate in the oilboils off on the first ride.Thoughts and opinions?BTW, I use Amsoil 20W-50....
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
RE: Oil change after storage
If I had just changed the oil before storage, I would not change it when I took it out. Any condensation will get burned off the first long ride you go on. This type of service has worked well for all of my seasonal vehicles for years, including a 23 year old Chevy powered boat that is stored outside.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 10
From: Mass
RE: Oil change after storage
....why the heck would ya change the oil a SECOND time after the bike has gone 0 miles during storage[sm=dontgetit.gif]...I agree with XXX....dump it at the end of your ridin season, and your good for the next 5000 miles of riding..(yes 5000 if using Synthetic)...any contaminates from combustion,(acids, etc), will be flushed out when you dump in the fall, and then just fire it up in the spring....
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
RE: Oil change after storage
ORIGINAL: xxxflhrci
If I had just changed the oil before storage, I would not change it when I took it out. Any condensation will get burned off the first long ride you go on. This type of service has worked well for all of my seasonal vehicles for years, including a 23 year old Chevy powered boat that is stored outside.
If I had just changed the oil before storage, I would not change it when I took it out. Any condensation will get burned off the first long ride you go on. This type of service has worked well for all of my seasonal vehicles for years, including a 23 year old Chevy powered boat that is stored outside.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 5
RE: Oil change after storage
ORIGINAL: jmacdonald5
....why the heck would ya change the oil a SECOND time after the bike has gone 0 miles during storage[sm=dontgetit.gif]...I agree with XXX....dump it at the end of your ridin season, and your good for the next 5000 miles of riding..(yes 5000 if using Synthetic)...any contaminates from combustion,(acids, etc), will be flushed out when you dump in the fall, and then just fire it up in the spring....
....why the heck would ya change the oil a SECOND time after the bike has gone 0 miles during storage[sm=dontgetit.gif]...I agree with XXX....dump it at the end of your ridin season, and your good for the next 5000 miles of riding..(yes 5000 if using Synthetic)...any contaminates from combustion,(acids, etc), will be flushed out when you dump in the fall, and then just fire it up in the spring....
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,655
Likes: 9
From: Northwest Arkansas
RE: Oil change after storage
If you change your fluids before storing, do you start it at all during the storage months?I try to start mine at least once a month. I change mine at the beginning of the season. Should I change it at the end and not start it until I'm ready to ride?
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 452
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Oil change after storage
Fresh oil in the fall, ride it in the spring. Why add oil at all for winter storage if you are just going to throw it out in the spring? Any condensation will evaporate quickly. Also most of the evaporation will be in the form of that white sludge that does not drain.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 548
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh, PA
RE: Oil change after storage
I change my oil every 5K. (Amsoil synthetic also) Doesn't matter if I ride it or store it. I put on around 5K....change the oil.... Other than that, it's a waste of time and money.
Larry
Larry
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 466
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From: Ontario, Canada
RE: Oil change after storage
ORIGINAL: krazy3
If you change your fluids before storing, do you start it at all during the storage months?I try to start mine at least once a month. I change mine at the beginning of the season. Should I change it at the end and not start it until I'm ready to ride?
If you change your fluids before storing, do you start it at all during the storage months?I try to start mine at least once a month. I change mine at the beginning of the season. Should I change it at the end and not start it until I'm ready to ride?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
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From: Bellevue, NE
RE: Oil change after storage
ORIGINAL: SGLarry
I change my oil every 5K. (Amsoil synthetic also) Doesn't matter if I ride it or store it. I put on around 5K....change the oil.... Other than that, it's a waste of time and money.
Larry
I change my oil every 5K. (Amsoil synthetic also) Doesn't matter if I ride it or store it. I put on around 5K....change the oil.... Other than that, it's a waste of time and money.
Larry