Are you adding oil

papat · 08-01-2008, 10:36 PM

We have almost 6000 miles on the nomad now and have done 2 oil changes. Have not had to add oil till last week when we took a 1400 mile trip to Colorado added most of a full quart along the way. Most of the ride was up hill, down hill or interstate speed. Have not put on many miles back at home yet, bike runs fine no change in fuel mileage. Any one adding more oil on there longer trips where interstate speed or longer hill pulls may be a factor?

Valvoline 20/50 MC oil

audiogooroo · 08-01-2008, 10:49 PM

Yep. About 3/4 quart going to Mesquite and back, which was mostly interstate riding.

rlfaubion · 08-01-2008, 11:00 PM

Not to sound braggart, but just for the info - in 24K miles I've never added oil. Now my Harley was a different deal.

**Idaho** · 08-01-2008, 11:23 PM

I just put 5000 miles on my '07 during a cross country trip, all interstate. Checked the oil at home and it is fine. Thought that I would have to add some but was real surprised. Bike has 17,000+ miles on it.

**jmorrow** · 08-02-2008, 01:58 AM

At 44300 mile have never had to add any oil. Have done several
1600 - 3600 mile trips with interstate travel..

**Top Cat** · 08-02-2008, 08:01 AM

Hey Jim, 2 Nomads in your sig pic. Is the back one your wifes?

blowndodge · 08-02-2008, 09:35 AM

My bike used a little oil until 6K. The 1200 mile Mesquite trip I had 3500 on that oil change and didn't use any. Still at the top of the site glass.

I have "heard" that over filling and/or pinched breather tubes can cause the oil to pump up to the fuel injection system.

**coacha** · 08-02-2008, 09:50 AM

I have done 3 oil changes since I got my '99 in November and have never had to add oil between changes.

msharrelson · 08-02-2008, 10:35 AM

On my '04 1600 Classic I have had to add 1 quart 1 time on 1100+ mile trip in 95+ degree weather. When I took it back into the shop for service, the Mechanic told me that it was alright and common for these models to use up to 1 quart of oil between changes. My mouth about hit the floor. Since then I have had to top off a little bit one time. I use the Synthetic type. They bulk of my riding is to and from work about 30 miles total a day. That does not seem to use the oil as much as those long rides in high temp weather.

Just my experience
Michael

waterman · 08-02-2008, 01:08 PM

The three vulcan's that I have owned have never used any oil. I run Amsoil 10-40 in all of them. If this continues to happen, you may want to try a synthetic. They have a higher flash point and most reports that I have read also talk about lowering oil consumption.

dogdoc · 08-02-2008, 04:00 PM

Mine '05 has never needed to add any oil so far, sounds a bit much for the trip.

**scion0** · 08-02-2008, 05:41 PM

Man, I've never even checked it other than at oil change time.

ells · 08-02-2008, 06:08 PM

Checked mine after a 1400 mi trip and looked like it was down a bit so added some, didn't change level so added a little more then then a little more and then a little more and even then it seemed low. Looked at it after the next ride as was way high. Drained some out just to get to where seemed right and I drained about as much as I added in the first place. Lesson learned, normally these biks use none, if it looks low add a very little, may 1/4 cup and ride it and check again. I was seriously concerned about blowing seals because of over filling.

E

08-02-2008, 06:13 PM

When I ride to work and back all the time, I never have to add oil.

When I go balls-out on the freeway for long stretches, I always do.

I think that raising the high point of the crankcase breather hose may help with that issue. I haven't tried it yet.

davidjones1 · 08-02-2008, 07:02 PM

never had to add between changes, always check when I am on a rode trip but have not had to add. 03 running synthetic.
ride safe.

08-01-2008, 10:36 PM	#1
papat Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tucumcari NM Posts: 358	Are you adding oil We have almost 6000 miles on the nomad now and have done 2 oil changes. Have not had to add oil till last week when we took a 1400 mile trip to Colorado added most of a full quart along the way. Most of the ride was up hill, down hill or interstate speed. Have not put on many miles back at home yet, bike runs fine no change in fuel mileage. Any one adding more oil on there longer trips where interstate speed or longer hill pulls may be a factor? Valvoline 20/50 MC oil __________________ SHEEPLE: Sheep like people, many of whom deny the existence of wolves, and vote to pull the teeth of the sheepdogs who protect the flock! Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

08-01-2008, 10:49 PM	#2
audiogooroo Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado/Las Vegas, NV Posts: 3,390	Are you adding oil Yep. About 3/4 quart going to Mesquite and back, which was mostly interstate riding. __________________ Audiogooroo - Daryl Porter Colorado Springs, CO VBA #248 VROC #17261 1999 Grn/Grn Nomad
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08-01-2008, 11:00 PM	#3
rlfaubion Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,582	Are you adding oil Not to sound braggart, but just for the info - in 24K miles I've never added oil. Now my Harley was a different deal.
	0

08-01-2008, 11:23 PM	#4
Idaho Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 5,241	Are you adding oil I just put 5000 miles on my '07 during a cross country trip, all interstate. Checked the oil at home and it is fine. Thought that I would have to add some but was real surprised. Bike has 17,000+ miles on it. __________________ Idaho (aka Curmudgeon) Blue Knights Idaho III VBA #110 VROC #24864 IBA #49753 2007 Nomad 86,000 miles Bud Smalley Pocatello, Idaho Idaho Jack Adapter
	0

08-02-2008, 01:58 AM	#5
jmorrow Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Beech Grove, Arkansas Posts: 1,884	Are you adding oil At 44300 mile have never had to add any oil. Have done several 1600 - 3600 mile trips with interstate travel.. __________________ Jim (Dooley) Morrow Stanford, Arkansas 2004 Kawasaki Nomad 1500 VBA #146 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-02-2008, 08:01 AM	#6
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Are you adding oil Hey Jim, 2 Nomads in your sig pic. Is the back one your wifes? __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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08-02-2008, 09:35 AM	#7
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Are you adding oil My bike used a little oil until 6K. The 1200 mile Mesquite trip I had 3500 on that oil change and didn't use any. Still at the top of the site glass. I have "heard" that over filling and/or pinched breather tubes can cause the oil to pump up to the fuel injection system. __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
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08-02-2008, 09:50 AM	#8
coacha Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 6,259	Are you adding oil I have done 3 oil changes since I got my '99 in November and have never had to add oil between changes. __________________ Ron "Coach" Allan, Haysville, KS 1999 Nomad Wine and Red "KawaTanker" 2009 BMW R1200RT 2003 BMW K1200LT "Magic Carpet" DOA 11/7/2015 VBA #00291 IBA # 41995 DS #320 '08 Elkins, WV; '09 Helen, GA; '09 Custer, SD; '10 Stanton, VA; '11 Maggie Valley; '12 Townsend, TN; '13 Estes Park; '13 Blairsville, GA; '15 Eureka Springs; '16 Helen; '18 Custer, SD
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08-02-2008, 10:35 AM	#9
msharrelson Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 8	Are you adding oil On my '04 1600 Classic I have had to add 1 quart 1 time on 1100+ mile trip in 95+ degree weather. When I took it back into the shop for service, the Mechanic told me that it was alright and common for these models to use up to 1 quart of oil between changes. My mouth about hit the floor. Since then I have had to top off a little bit one time. I use the Synthetic type. They bulk of my riding is to and from work about 30 miles total a day. That does not seem to use the oil as much as those long rides in high temp weather. Just my experience Michael
	0

08-02-2008, 01:08 PM	#10
waterman Top Contributor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,530	Are you adding oil The three vulcan's that I have owned have never used any oil. I run Amsoil 10-40 in all of them. If this continues to happen, you may want to try a synthetic. They have a higher flash point and most reports that I have read also talk about lowering oil consumption. __________________ Joel "Waterman" 2017 HD Road Glide Ultra 2006 Nomad - Sold VBA 213 VROC 16913 Custer 09: Cortez 10: Crescent City 11: Kanab 12: Estes Park 13: Tahoe 14: Red Lodge 16
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08-02-2008, 04:00 PM	#11
dogdoc Top Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5,263	Are you adding oil Mine '05 has never needed to add any oil so far, sounds a bit much for the trip.
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08-02-2008, 05:41 PM	#12
scion0 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Peoria, Illinois Posts: 1,507	Are you adding oil Man, I've never even checked it other than at oil change time. __________________ ___________________ Mike "Scion0" VBA#: 0097 Former VBA North Central Asst Regional Leader St Jude Rides Peoria to Memphis Rider Retired MSgt, USAF (1979 -99) "Don't sweat the small stuff, and it's all small stuff!" Current ride: 2012 H-D Ultra FLHTCU (Black) Past ride: 2007 Black Nomad
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08-02-2008, 06:08 PM	#13
ells Sr. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Boulder County, Colorado Posts: 2,014	Are you adding oil Checked mine after a 1400 mi trip and looked like it was down a bit so added some, didn't change level so added a little more then then a little more and then a little more and even then it seemed low. Looked at it after the next ride as was way high. Drained some out just to get to where seemed right and I drained about as much as I added in the first place. Lesson learned, normally these biks use none, if it looks low add a very little, may 1/4 cup and ride it and check again. I was seriously concerned about blowing seals because of over filling. E
	0

08-02-2008, 06:13 PM	#14
Guest Posts: n/a	Are you adding oil When I ride to work and back all the time, I never have to add oil. When I go balls-out on the freeway for long stretches, I always do. I think that raising the high point of the crankcase breather hose may help with that issue. I haven't tried it yet.
	0

08-02-2008, 07:02 PM	#15
davidjones1 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: TENN Posts: 864	Are you adding oil never had to add between changes, always check when I am on a rode trip but have not had to add. 03 running synthetic. ride safe.
	0

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