Oil Change Interval??????????????

[Top Cat]

I plan on changing the oil and filter every 3000 miles. As far as I can tell from the owners manual the recommended interval is either 7500 miles or 12000 miles. Am I reading this chart wrong or am I just to thick to comprehend what they are trying to tell me?

[blowndodge]

3000 is ok. Lots of us change our oil earlier, even with synthetics.

[trip]

Actually topcat,
You ARE reading the manual correctly. I took a double-take when I first read that. However, I wouldn't heed it. I change my oil somewhere between 3,000 and 3,500 miles. I've even stretched it to 3,800 with no problem. I base that off of the fact that I live in a really hot region in the summer and not as cold in the winter (Texas).

I've even gotten advice from a chemical engineer who was with Shell Oil. He recommended going a little longer than 3,000 but not more than 4,000. He rode motorcycles too. So, that's also where I base my oil change interval.

After you get about 6500 miles on your bike, then Kawasaki says that you can go to synthetic. They want you to get at least two oil changes under your belt with dino oil.

Trip

[Top Cat]

OOPPS, I already went to Rotella and the Wally World filter the guys on here were talking about.
So what would be the negative effects of switching to synthetic oil at 2700 miles?

[trip]

None, I wouldn't think. That's what my Kawa dealer told me.

Just monitor your bike closely for a while. If you notice any clutch slippage, change back to dino oil.

Your ok topcat. I have always heard and done just keep regular oil in up to 2k miles, that lets every thing in your motor seat really well then you can use fully synthetic forever after that point... When I had my 600 mile service done I switch the pumpkin oil (Final drive) out to synthetic already. So I know thats good to go untill i reach 15k and I will swap that back out again.. I swap my oil out every 3 to 4k but I run Red Line fully synthetic and it works great. Good luck.

[blowndodge]

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.

[trip]

Spoken like the true professional you are Brad.

[blowndodge]

Until I get Photoshop in my hands Trip! Then the other side comes out!!

[Top Cat]

Thanks guys, appreciate the advice.
Can't wait to see what happens when BD gets Photoshop. I am thinking war between Nico and BD

[blowndodge]

You haven't seen my abuse yet? It started last week. Nico asked and I obliged like the gentleman I am!!!

[toxictavrn]

yes you are reading the manual correctly, 7500 miles interval per oil change, which is perfectly normal, changing your oil any less mileage is just a waste of money, the 3k oil change is nothing more that then a feel good thing to do,

[Top Cat]

[color=red:6ie3d846]

yes you are reading the manual correctly, 7500 miles interval per oil change, which is perfectly normal, changing your oil any less mileage is just a waste of money, the 3k oil change is nothing more that then a feel good thing to do,

[/color:6ie3d846]

I don't know about that. My dealer changed my oil at 600 miles and I just changed it again at 2700. Thats 2100 miles on the oil and it looked black. When I say black, I mean black as coal, black as midnight on a moonless night, black as Johnny Cash's wardrobe, black as tar snakes in the road, black as, wellllll I think you get the idea.
I think I will still change it every 3000 miles. Besides, I like feeling good

[blowndodge]

There's no problem in that. BTW did you know that a Gallon of oil can contain over a pound of dirt and still lubricate fine?

[Top Cat]

I'll take your word on that BD.
Not going to pour a pound of dirt in my motor to find out.
Geeze that just don't sound right. A pound of dirt in my oil and it still lubricates fine? Nope, shaking head back and forth, that just don't sound right at all :)
How do you know all this stuff?