Engine Break-in

Just to solve my own curiosity and possibly start a debate, I was wondering what engine break-in procedures (if any) people have followed?

I have followed a very strict break-in with a rebuilt 350

My saturn I did nothing special just drove it normal

My nomad I chose to follow this more or less and ran it fairly hard at times after it was warm:

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

All with the same result: Engines that run just fine if not "perfect"

I've also read another article that stated engine breakin happens within the 1st 20 miles and oil should be changed after the 1st 20 miles.

Which leads me to the question "does it really even matter?"

Lets hear what everyone has to say on this matter of oppinion

[blowndodge]

already been posted before man with pretty wife!

already been posted before man with pretty wife!

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x4/sjmarsing/smileys/smilie_help.gif http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x4/sjmarsing/smileys/shruggy.gif

Beatcha.

ya your post gave me the idea to start a thread on it unless I'm missing something

Oh.... then it was BD's off the hook comment that ruined everything!!! No... you didn't miss anything at all!! Carry on!! Take that hill!!!

[mrfuni]

Wolfman, since you asked...

Got my Nomad 3 weeks ago, Also read http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

After warm up ran it at all speeds, used the engine to break, and kept it under 70 for the first 50 miles.
Changed the oil and cleaned the screen. Plan on a second oil change at 1000 miles switching to Amsoil synthetic.
I'll let you know a year from now if that works.
Joe

[Top Cat]

I don't know what BD is talking about except I think he said you have a pretty wife. I couldn't find the thread by Nico.
Anyway, I bought my 07 in June and have 7000 miles on it.
I rode it during break-in just the way I figured I would ride it after break-in. Most of my riding is 2-up. Cindy loves to ride http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif Didn't beat it but didn't baby it either. Changed oil at 600 miles. Changed to synthetic at 2600 miles using the drain plug. Changed oil again at 6000 miles by using the bolt with the screen in it. Didn't find any metal or shavings at all in screen.
Took BD's suggestion on silencer removal at 6800 miles and love the sound!
Bike runs great.
Now waiting for spring and snow to melt. Man I hate central New York State! Can you say" LAKE EFFECT SNOW " boys and girls?

[Todd]

Topcat. Most modern engines don't need an extensive break in. todays engines last much longer because the tolerances are so much tighter. Most new engines rings break in at the factory during the initial startup. When the manufactures start the engine the first time they are run very hard for a few minutes with burst of wide open throttle. This seats the rings quickly.

In fact when I was drag racing motorcycles, we would breakin a newly rebuilt engine on the dyno and load the engine maxed.

After the first oil change on my Nomad I went to synthetics and would suggest that is plenty long for "breakin" purposes but I probably could have dumped the oil the day I brought her home and put synthetic in. Remember except for the rings, all the internal parts "float" on a cushion of oil so bearings dont "rub together to break in" neither are the gears nor cams have any metal parts touching to "break in", The rings are the most concern.

[quote:oj31evmp]Topcat. Most modern engines don't need an extensive break in. todays engines last much longer because the tolerances are so much tighter. Most new engines rings break in at the factory during the initial startup. When the manufactures start the engine the first time they are run very hard for a few minutes with burst of wide open throttle. This seats the rings quickly.

In fact when I was drag racing motorcycles, we would breakin a newly rebuilt engine on the dyno and load the engine maxed.

After the first oil change on my Nomad I went to synthetics and would suggest that is plenty long for "breakin" purposes but I probably could have dumped the oil the day I brought her home and put synthetic in. Remember except for the rings, all the internal parts "float" on a cushion of oil so bearings dont "rub together to break in" neither are the gears nor cams have any metal parts touching to "break in", The rings are the most concern. [/quote:oj31evmp]


Seems so long ago.... LOL

[Todd]

Man, does it ever!!!!!!!

[Top Cat]

:-[ :-[
Once again I will state how computer illiterate I am.

<marquee>http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u272/DrNickDC/1185422890453.gif</marquee>

[Todd]

No problem...that search function is a little picky...

here's the original thread if anyone's interested.

http://kawanow.proboards77.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1187997379&page=1

Screw the Search function..... that's why I quit going on the other boards.... everything I asked..... "USE SEARCH!" ..... so ask away... this is KawaNOW "The Friendly Board" :)

[Todd]

YUP..I agree...that's why I found it for him....had to figure out if I was remembering something that wasn't real again ;) ;)

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u272/DrNickDC/thlsd.gif

[Top Cat]

I just went back and read the whole thread. There is some real good information in there :)
I forgot I even asked that question ???
Old Timers is setting in http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif If you guys don't hear from me for a while call 911 and send out a search party, I may be wandering the woods behind the house wondering where the he11 I am.

I just went back and read the whole thread. There is some real good information in there :)
I forgot I even asked that question ???
Old Timers is setting in http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif If you guys don't hear from me for a while call 911 and send out a search party, I may be wandering the woods behind the house wondering where the he11 I am.


If you find me there.... call the # on my bracelet for me.

[Todd]

Me too!!!!

[blowndodge]

Thanks Todd. Nico didn't believe me like always. Then dragging our beloved, cherish, so fond of wolfman into his "rose colored world". OBTW Nico USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION!!LOL

Thanks Todd. Nico didn't believe me like always. Then dragging our beloved, cherish, so fond of wolfman into his "rose colored world". OBTW Nico USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION!!LOL Nico is my idol!!!


http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u272/DrNickDC/Delirious.jpg

[Yellow Jacket]

Dang! I didn't even know there was a "search" function! It's amazing what you can find out reading these threads. Since this is the first time I've been on one of these forums I guess my ignorance is showing. Oh well, who cares? This is not only fun but it's edducashshuynal too!

[ringadingh]

I was on a tour at the HD plant this summer and the first 20 seconds of a Harleys life are held steady at 75mph. I just ride normal and change the oil, never had a problem.