break in
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
What your missing is the rings and cylinger are broken in with in the first 50 miles. Oh there may be a little break in left, but for the most part, they are broken in and that why Motorman's break in proceedure is popular. But the other parts of the engine(valves, lifters, crank and so on) are still braking in and continue to brake in for as long as 5000 miles for motorcycles and 25000 miles for car engines. We know this by riders who sent in oil samples for analysis.
I'm not sure what oil you are looking for, but its pretty much agreed that synthetic oil doesn't create as much friction for break in as non synthetic oil. Now I know some motorcycle and cars are sold new with a synthetic oil, but I also know that many owners those bikes and cars have oil burning problems later down the road. That's not to say syn oil can't be used for proper break in, but I think it does require a more agressive break in like the Motorman method.
I always wonder though, if non synthetic oil is fine for an engine, why risk it. Just hold off on synthetic until 3000 miles. Or 1000 if you can't wait. But whats the harm?
One other thing, letting off the throttle in gear creates enoguh back pressure on the rings to break them in properly. So I think riding your first 10 miles riding from stop light to stop light will break in an engine almost as well as doing the Motorman method.
Zinc and phosphorus are not friction modifiers.
Beary
I'm not sure what oil you are looking for, but its pretty much agreed that synthetic oil doesn't create as much friction for break in as non synthetic oil. Now I know some motorcycle and cars are sold new with a synthetic oil, but I also know that many owners those bikes and cars have oil burning problems later down the road. That's not to say syn oil can't be used for proper break in, but I think it does require a more agressive break in like the Motorman method.
I always wonder though, if non synthetic oil is fine for an engine, why risk it. Just hold off on synthetic until 3000 miles. Or 1000 if you can't wait. But whats the harm?
One other thing, letting off the throttle in gear creates enoguh back pressure on the rings to break them in properly. So I think riding your first 10 miles riding from stop light to stop light will break in an engine almost as well as doing the Motorman method.
Zinc and phosphorus are not friction modifiers.
Beary
Last edited by beary; Dec 1, 2011 at 01:07 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 554
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From: San Diego, Ca.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,946
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From: Nevada
Follow the book. The people who designed the bikes know what's best. And besides, if something happens due to improper during break-in, the guy on the forum who says ride it hard sure ain't gonna honor your warranty.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
The break-in procedures I've seen over the past 50 years specified by manufacturers for any car or MC, even exoticars like Ferrari and Porsche, is for a progressive process. The specific wording varies but the general idea is always the same. I've never seen even one that recommends to "ride it like you would later-on" or "ride it like you stole it."
The important thing is to avoid sustained speeds, and don't use the cruise control (except to test it briefly, if you must). I mostly follow the book and use a progressive procedure all the way up to about 2k miles when I do my first synthetic oil change. That includes some mild acceleration followed by deceleration, which helps seat the rings, and that should be accomplished in the first 50 miles.
The important thing is to avoid sustained speeds, and don't use the cruise control (except to test it briefly, if you must). I mostly follow the book and use a progressive procedure all the way up to about 2k miles when I do my first synthetic oil change. That includes some mild acceleration followed by deceleration, which helps seat the rings, and that should be accomplished in the first 50 miles.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 87,493
From: Western South Dakota
I used the moto-man way as well or 10 times @running the bike from 30-60 mph in
3rd gear and letting the motor brake on it's own and this was when the motor had maybe 2 miles on it if that.
I dropped the oil 3 times before 1 K too @100, 500, and 1 K and then 2 K and then switched to synthetic Amsoil 20/50 and now have switched again for good this time to Mobil 1 V Twin 20/50 Synthetic.
3rd gear and letting the motor brake on it's own and this was when the motor had maybe 2 miles on it if that.
I dropped the oil 3 times before 1 K too @100, 500, and 1 K and then 2 K and then switched to synthetic Amsoil 20/50 and now have switched again for good this time to Mobil 1 V Twin 20/50 Synthetic.
Last edited by lionsm13; Dec 1, 2011 at 01:59 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
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From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
When I got my '03 RK, the only new H-D I've ever had, I rode it up the foothills west of Boulder to an elevation of 9000 ft. without exceeding 3500 RPM which put about 50 miles on it and after that just rode like I normally would. Got home with 125 miles on it & changed the oil & filter. It never used a measureable amount of oil between 3000 mile changes after that.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
If ride liking you stole is mechanically good enough at 5000 miles, whats wrong with it a 5 miles. I read a conversation on this and the basic reason came down to is if there is a manufacturing defect, the rider or driver could get hurt while being agressive. I understand that because that is why Harley suggest not riding over 50 mph the first 50 miles.
Most race cars and motorcycles with new engines don't usually break in their engines for a race. So I'm not sure there is any mechanical reason for not riding it normally, even if riding it normal is riding it like you stole it.
Beary
Most race cars and motorcycles with new engines don't usually break in their engines for a race. So I'm not sure there is any mechanical reason for not riding it normally, even if riding it normal is riding it like you stole it.
Beary
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,788
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From: Here
I'm pretty sure I've never seen a race driver check their headlights, tail lights, and turn signals either. Apples do not equal oranges, but do it however you like.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 4
From: Arizona
A lot of guys break it in like the book says. That's ok. It will last. Some, like me break it in the motoman way.
I really think the later will give you more power throughout the life of the engine.
As for the comment "The manufacture knows best" That is false. The manufacture doesn't want the guy that cannot control himself breaking it in hard.
I really think the later will give you more power throughout the life of the engine.
As for the comment "The manufacture knows best" That is false. The manufacture doesn't want the guy that cannot control himself breaking it in hard.
Last edited by Indianspringsaz; Dec 1, 2011 at 06:29 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 824
Likes: 2
From: O'fallon IL
If you buy a new Harley then it's already gonna have enough time on it to seat the rings properly. No, you don't want to drag race your new bike for the first few hundred miles but other than that just ride it like you would normally. For a new build, now days your builder will usually put on a dyno and do the initial breakin. When you get it...it's ready to ride.