Thanks for that. I have been doing it too long with too much success to worry about other opinions.

A long time ago when I overhauled my first Shovelhead an old and very wise wrench told me to do it that way and why. Now granted the new engines don't shed quite as much metal during break-in as the old iron barrel bikes, but his logic is still just as sound today as it was then.

There is a bit more to it than just changing oil, such as properly managing heat cycles when the engine is young, but the process has always provided flawless running engines. I am not about to change my ways now.

 

40 years that was good advice, however the World and the MoCo have moved on since then! To start with H-Ds use far superior oil filters on recent bikes, compared with those used in shovels.

True.

Not true! Recent Harleys are made to very different and higher standards than shovels ever were.

Its quite unnecessary, but its your bike and if you're going to, don't forget to change the filter as well......

 

Use HD branded oils in your 500 mile change - and save the receipts!
Cheap insurance to protect your warranty.
You can always use the existing oils down the road, they wont go "bad".

 

Not knocking it just asking.I've ridden, raced, and repaired a lot of bikes and have never felt the need to change oil at 500 miles unless it was something I was racing.Never had an engine failure.In the end its your cash,your scooter,and it can't hurt !

 

[quote=mllgator;11873521]Use HD branded oils in your 500 mile change - and save the receipts!
Cheap insurance to protect your warranty.
quote]


functionally incorrect. MOCO cannot make you use their oil.....

 

No real need to change at 500, but if you do, the oils above wil in no way harm your new bike.

 

well, you are going to have to use the castrol in the engine because it takes 3qts. 14oz's to change the engine oil. use the other oil for the primary and buy some redline shockproof heavy for the trans and not have to worry about it for quite some time. you only have to buy 1 qt. for the trans anyway.

 

Use any brand of oil you want..It won't affect your warranty.

 

Then why bother to ask?

 

Indeed! I'm not sure a 500 mile oil change has any element of risk or danger of any kind associated with it! Impossible to measure 'success'. If it gives peace of mind it's still a waste of good oil and a filter. Ah well.....