Realistic oil drain interval?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 17
From: Wisconsin
Is it still "changing" the oil if I'm just moving it from the bike to the lawnmower? In the 70's I rode a shovelhead, drove an old mercury and had a Briggs and Stratton lawnmower. I ran straight 50w in the shovel for 3,000 miles, dumped it into the car for 3,000, then the mower until the next time I had more oil. Never had a problem with any of them ............ people spend too much time sweating the small stuff.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Is it still "changing" the oil if I'm just moving it from the bike to the lawnmower? In the 70's I rode a shovelhead, drove an old mercury and had a Briggs and Stratton lawnmower. I ran straight 50w in the shovel for 3,000 miles, dumped it into the car for 3,000, then the mower until the next time I had more oil. Never had a problem with any of them ............ people spend too much time sweating the small stuff.
Beary
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
Full Syn is expensive so why not get your moneys worth and just do it at the specified interval. Me personally; I like to change mine a little early (like around 4K) but thats just me. Im a bit of a stickler so I typically do things ahead of schedule.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
4000-5000 or end of season. If only 2k by end of season it still gets replaced for winter storage as do the primary and trans.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,808
Likes: 285
From: Green Country Oklahoma
5,000 motor Mobil1, 10,000 primary HD pimary fluid, and 20,000 Redline shock proof for transmission and on longer rides some time even 6to7K miles between changes bike has 80K miles no issue related to the oil otherwise plenty things went sour.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 747
Likes: 7
From: NY
LOL...You don't have to. You can always add a quart every couple days and if there is more than enough the automatic leveler will blow any excess out the air cleaner. 
Me... I use the scavenger and change somewhere between 3 and 5k (Amsoil)
SC
Me... I use the scavenger and change somewhere between 3 and 5k (Amsoil)
SC
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 127
Likes: 3
From: London ON. Canada
As far as change frequency compared to a Dino oil, the synthetic is the same. If the book says 5000 for Dino, same goes for synthetic. Synthetic doesn't last longer, it lasts better. Impurities from combustion still poison it the same as Dino, so change frequency stays the same. That's my plan anyway.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 6
From: Spokane, WA.
Scavenger
I use the Scavenger, and wonder why all those with concerns about their oil and when to change it, do not consider what the Scavenger can do to prolong the life of the bike's engine.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
Same reason some folks wax their bikes and some don't. Some store their bikes outside, some in the garage. some folks do their own maintenance, some folks pay mechanics. Some folks spend a lot of money customizing their bikes. Why, because it helps us feel better about our bikes. Simple really, we pay a lot of money for this hobby and how we dote over our bike is half the fun.
Beary
Beary
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
That's how the motor pool does it in the military....main reason I cant get my son to change his F____kin oil regularly....can't argue with a proven method like your describing above?