Okay, what the hell happened? (Fluid change)
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 7
From: Hoffman Estates, IL
Okay, what the hell happened? (Fluid change)
So, I'm trying to score a few extra "man points" (and save loads of cash) by working more on the bike. Long story short, I'm due for a 10k - Just had a clutch adjustment a few k ago, so I can scratch that off the list. Wanted to change my own fluids (for the first time - I'm not mechanically inclined... But I'm working on it) and I'm going to bring it to the dealer for the other details and to "check my work" on the brakes and such (oh yeah - Changed my pads - 3.5 man-points).
Missing a few "short cuts" and learned a few things (like making sure the drip pan is under the filter when you remove it). Made a giant mess, but all seems well.
Here's the issue: (and it's actually a good thing)
Let it run for a few while I was putting tools away and took it for a spin. Now I'm not a mechanic by any means, but I'm pretty "in tune" with the bike. Less vibration, slightly lower idle (very nice), better feel under acceleration (smoother - easier - no 'chugging' and what not).
All I did was change the crankcase and the transmission fluid. They were both full before I started, certainly not too old, Syn3 (which is what I used to fill it with - Unless the dealer put something else in last time and just charged me for Syn3...). But there's just no doubt that the thing runs differently (in a very positive manner). And I'm not just "thinking" it - Especially the vibration at idle (which was somewhat dramatically reduced - visibly in the shield bag, audibly in my "gremlin bell" etc.).
I'm certainly not under the impression that perhaps the bike ran just like this after my 5k - Maybe it did, maybe it didn't, maybe the way it was running just several hours ago (not "out of spec" but not "wonderful" like it is now) came on slowly and now it's "wonderful" again.
But seriously - Oil and tranny...? What happened? Granted - I've only had this bike for 10k - But I don't even recall (even on my older bikes) such an appreciable difference in performance from something as mundane as a two-hole fluid change...
Missing a few "short cuts" and learned a few things (like making sure the drip pan is under the filter when you remove it). Made a giant mess, but all seems well.
Here's the issue: (and it's actually a good thing)
Let it run for a few while I was putting tools away and took it for a spin. Now I'm not a mechanic by any means, but I'm pretty "in tune" with the bike. Less vibration, slightly lower idle (very nice), better feel under acceleration (smoother - easier - no 'chugging' and what not).
All I did was change the crankcase and the transmission fluid. They were both full before I started, certainly not too old, Syn3 (which is what I used to fill it with - Unless the dealer put something else in last time and just charged me for Syn3...). But there's just no doubt that the thing runs differently (in a very positive manner). And I'm not just "thinking" it - Especially the vibration at idle (which was somewhat dramatically reduced - visibly in the shield bag, audibly in my "gremlin bell" etc.).
I'm certainly not under the impression that perhaps the bike ran just like this after my 5k - Maybe it did, maybe it didn't, maybe the way it was running just several hours ago (not "out of spec" but not "wonderful" like it is now) came on slowly and now it's "wonderful" again.
But seriously - Oil and tranny...? What happened? Granted - I've only had this bike for 10k - But I don't even recall (even on my older bikes) such an appreciable difference in performance from something as mundane as a two-hole fluid change...
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
From: Desert Aire, Washington
I just washed and waxed it yesterday and damn if it didn't run better today---------go figure------- it's just like a horse or a dog they feel better after you pay attention to them. Or dare I sayit your wife too.
Tim
Tim
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 25
From: St George, UT
Fresh oil does that. Oil is at its best lubricity when first installed, and begins to wear from there. My riding partner does his own oil changes at 2500 miles. He uses dino oil, cheapest he can find. He always comments on how much quieter and how smooth the transmissions shifts just after he's changed the oil.
My shop services my bike exclusively, and I've run Syn3 since the 1000 mile service. It goes in for service every 5000 miles. They wash it too before giving it back to me. The bike must really feel good because it is at its best right after being serviced.
By the way, and for what its worth, don't add the full 4 quarts to the crankcase. The other day, coming back from Las Vegas in 105 degree heat, the bike sumped oil into the airfilter, and streaked the right side of the bike with oil. Left a puddle on the garage floor too. The first thing the service advisor asked me was had I added oil? Nope, they were the ones who must have done that, seeing as how it had only been a week since they serviced it.
It was way overfull. 3-3/4 quarts added will prevent that from happening.
My shop services my bike exclusively, and I've run Syn3 since the 1000 mile service. It goes in for service every 5000 miles. They wash it too before giving it back to me. The bike must really feel good because it is at its best right after being serviced.
By the way, and for what its worth, don't add the full 4 quarts to the crankcase. The other day, coming back from Las Vegas in 105 degree heat, the bike sumped oil into the airfilter, and streaked the right side of the bike with oil. Left a puddle on the garage floor too. The first thing the service advisor asked me was had I added oil? Nope, they were the ones who must have done that, seeing as how it had only been a week since they serviced it.
It was way overfull. 3-3/4 quarts added will prevent that from happening.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
From: Berwick, Pa.
Syn 3 pretty much like all fresh oil will preform better when first installed. If you decide and change to a good full synthetic I believe you'll find that increase in preformance will last much longer between changes.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 6
From: Oregon City, OR
don't add the full 4 quarts to the crankcase
When doing services on the 07 and newer Baggers I usually start with 3.5 and it usually ends up just right or I have to add a few drops. The 06 and earlier will take close to the whole 4 quarts.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 640
Likes: 23
From: Greensboro, NC
i recently did mine for the first time as well. had the bike on the jiffy stand and let the oil drain out of the plug until it stopped coming out. finished with the filter change, reinstalled the plug and began adding oil. only got to add about 2 1/2 before it was were it needed to be. did i miss something, or some technique, on getting all of the old oil out?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,661
Likes: 2
From: Monroe, Louisiana
i recently did mine for the first time as well. had the bike on the jiffy stand and let the oil drain out of the plug until it stopped coming out. finished with the filter change, reinstalled the plug and began adding oil. only got to add about 2 1/2 before it was were it needed to be. did i miss something, or some technique, on getting all of the old oil out?
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