Lazy oil change
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
LMAO... and I thought that experience was unique to my oil changing methods.....
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 4
From: Central IL
Oil doesn't loose its lubricating ability, it gets contaminated thru the combustion process. These contaminants include dirt and dust which can be fitered out but also include harmful chemicals that can not. Frequent service, including oil changes, increases the life of your vehicle, results in more trouble free ownership, and catches small problems before they become large, more costly, ones.
And before anyone makes the assumption, I am not an employee of an oil company, I do not own any oil producing wells or mineral rights, nor do I own any stock in any oil or gas comapnies. I am just a slave to them like the rest of you.
However, I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night!
Last edited by dirtracin23; Jun 4, 2010 at 11:00 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Glendale, CA
Well it is interest, Porsche recommends a 15,000 change interval for the 911. Of course that is not an air cooled motor. On many aircraft engines the oil change interval is anywhere between 25 and 50 hours. But the aircraft are still using leaded fuel which creates another set of challenges for the oil. Aircraft they always recommend changing while the engine is at normal operating temp's as does Porsche.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 4
From: Central IL
Well it is interest, Porsche recommends a 15,000 change interval for the 911. Of course that is not an air cooled motor. On many aircraft engines the oil change interval is anywhere between 25 and 50 hours. But the aircraft are still using leaded fuel which creates another set of challenges for the oil. Aircraft they always recommend changing while the engine is at normal operating temp's as does Porsche.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 8
From: south
This is copied out of the HD service manual:
1. Ride motorcycle until engine is warmed up to normal
operating temperature. Turn engine off.
2. Locate oil filler plug/dipstick on right side of vehicle at top
of transmission case.Turn filler plug/dipstick counterclockwise
to remove.
3. See Figure 1-4. Locate oil drain plug at front left side of
the oil pan. Remove the oil drain plug. Do not remove Allen
plug. Allow oil to drain completely.
1. Ride motorcycle until engine is warmed up to normal
operating temperature. Turn engine off.
2. Locate oil filler plug/dipstick on right side of vehicle at top
of transmission case.Turn filler plug/dipstick counterclockwise
to remove.
3. See Figure 1-4. Locate oil drain plug at front left side of
the oil pan. Remove the oil drain plug. Do not remove Allen
plug. Allow oil to drain completely.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,140
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From: Wisconsin
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 4
From: Central IL
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
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From: Edmond Oklahoma
On many aircraft engines the oil change interval is anywhere between 25 and 50 hours. But the aircraft are still using leaded fuel which creates another set of challenges for the oil. Aircraft they always recommend changing while the engine is at normal operating temp's as does Porsche.
While I do get the oil to normal temps in all my vehicles when I change the oil, Im not sure it helps that much in a dry sump engine like our Harleys because we still leave a lot of dirty oil. That is why I am looking into the scavenging system. I know some of you guys have been changing oil in your bikes since Harley won the contract in WWII and your engines run fine, most air cooled enginse can handle a little dirty oil. Actually they can handle very dirty oil pretty well. But for me, it would be nice to know that I got all the dirty oil out.
Beary
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,948
Likes: 54
From: The Burgh
Many years ago when I was in school, we calculated that 40 hours on an airplane is equivalent to 1500 to 3000 miles on a car. Many dry sump aircraft engines (WWII radials) dont change the oil all that often because they burn about a gallon and hour. So just adding oil keeps it pretty fresh.
While I do get the oil to normal temps in all my vehicles when I change the oil, Im not sure it helps that much in a dry sump engine like our Harleys because we still leave a lot of dirty oil. That is why I am looking into the scavenging system. I know some of you guys have been changing oil in your bikes since Harley won the contract in WWII and your engines run fine, most air cooled enginse can handle a little dirty oil. Actually they can handle very dirty oil pretty well. But for me, it would be nice to know that I got all the dirty oil out.
Beary
While I do get the oil to normal temps in all my vehicles when I change the oil, Im not sure it helps that much in a dry sump engine like our Harleys because we still leave a lot of dirty oil. That is why I am looking into the scavenging system. I know some of you guys have been changing oil in your bikes since Harley won the contract in WWII and your engines run fine, most air cooled enginse can handle a little dirty oil. Actually they can handle very dirty oil pretty well. But for me, it would be nice to know that I got all the dirty oil out.
Beary