I change more often if I feel bike has been run hard. Examples long run in mountains, 2 million bikers to DC, Rolling Thunder etc. When I run bike really hot or hard on trans I just plan on changing when I get home. But it may just be for my peace of mind.
In hot weather engine oil in a Harley boils. If you don't believe me pull your dip stick on a really hot day. I change my engine oil every 1500-2000 and I run royal purple synthetic oil. to me its cheap insurance.
I'd bet money that what you're talking about is the bubbles that show on the dip stick. They are not from the oil being boiled, it's simply air in the oil. The oil foams a bit in the bike and that's what you're seeing on the dipstick.
On another note he is an interesting read about an oil test. I'm in way saying this applies to Harleys, but nonetheless it's interesting.
I change all 3 every 3k miles. I dont think its over kill. Its not about the oil break down and synthetics and all that but its more about getting all the contaminates out asap. Metal chips. fibers and so on. In a race bike the oils are changed out after every moto, run or race. i figure it costs 400 bucks for a dealer to do it and i do it myself for about 65 bucks so why not. Maybe its just me but after a 3 holes are changed she just seems to run better. Im not rich but im not lookin to save money on maintenance either. i save by doin my own routine maintenance. anybody else do this.
You would think Harley may have learned a thing or two over the hundred+ years they've been building motorcycles, regarding oil breakdown. Their recommended fluid changes are likely spot on.
What they don't tell you is that since 2003 you should change all the bearings throughout the bike every 10k-20k miles. You know...we went cheap on cranks and bearings so now those are regular maintenance items.
In hot weather engine oil in a Harley boils. If you don't believe me pull your dip stick on a really hot day. I change my engine oil every 1500-2000 and I run royal purple synthetic oil. to me its cheap insurance.
I change all 3 every 3k miles. I dont think its over kill. Its not about the oil break down and synthetics and all that but its more about getting all the contaminates out asap. Metal chips. fibers and so on. In a race bike the oils are changed out after every moto, run or race. i figure it costs 400 bucks for a dealer to do it and i do it myself for about 65 bucks so why not. Maybe its just me but after a 3 holes are changed she just seems to run better. Im not rich but im not lookin to save money on maintenance either. i save by doin my own routine maintenance. anybody else do this.
Heck no. Comparing a high strung racing 4 stroke dirt bike with a unitized engine/gearbox and a Harley is apples and oranges. A stock Harley clutch will go 100k miles with a sane owner. That's with normal recommended fluid changes at 10k. As for the transmission I've never had found any chips during oil changes only slight paste on the plug. Normal. As for the engine, any quality non-synthetic will go 5k under normal conditions. The synthetics more than that. If you're concerned about keeping the oil super clean change the filter at 3k and the oil/filter at 5k. It'll be overkill but cheaper than dumping $40 worth of good oil every 3k miles.
I change all 3 every 3k miles. I dont think its over kill. Its not about the oil break down and synthetics and all that but its more about getting all the contaminates out asap. Metal chips. fibers and so on. In a race bike the oils are changed out after every moto, run or race. i figure it costs 400 bucks for a dealer to do it and i do it myself for about 65 bucks so why not. Maybe its just me but after a 3 holes are changed she just seems to run better. Im not rich but im not lookin to save money on maintenance either. i save by doin my own routine maintenance. anybody else do this.
I don't think it is overkill at all as long as you only ride 1500 miles per year, every two years sounds about right.
I do all three holes every 2,500 miles with Syn3.... no issues 43k on this bike and 86k plus on past 05 Deuce. Leaving to go from NC to CA in a few days 8k in 23 to 25 days probably will not change any fluids????? hope all is OK. I am betting all will be fine.