Info on changing your oil.

[wompus]

How many miles do you put on your bike before you change oil.... that's been asked a hundred times. Some think I'm nuts for changing my Amsoil once a year.
Well, here is some info everyone needs to read about the new oils on the market today...

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Like-t...pf-family-home

We can all learn something new, every once in a while! ::)


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[Loafer]

I change my every spring.
When I was young my dad changed the oil in his car every 3K, he also traded every three years. I don't think he ever put more than 40k on any vehicle.

[cajun2wheels]

Old habits are hard to break but I'm trying.I change oil in my truck at 4-5 thousand.My Victory had a six quart oil capacity with an oil cooler so I changed it at around 4-5 thousand also.The Nomad will get a change at 3-3.5 thousand.I think most motorcycle engines with the trans being lubed with the engine oil it may be more important not to extend the change time too much.Opinions vary so much it is hard to get a real clear idea of the proper change interval.Some folks are harder on their equipment than others and driving conditions can vary so I think it's what ever you think is best for you.

[Cajunrider]

I'm about 500 shy of 3,000 miles on my current oil change. I planned on attempting 4,000 miles before the next change on this first run of Rotella T6 full syn. I won't try it this time because with the round trip to Antlers over 1,000 miles + the 400 - 500 miles we will ride up there would put me over 4,000 with the riding I will be doing around here before the trip. Rather not chance it on a trip. It is still shifting very smooth with 2,500 on this change.

[billmac]

I am a big fan of Rotella oil and normally do about 3k on the bike and 5k on my diesel pickup. I am going to switch to the Rotella T6 this time on the bike and plan to run about 5k on it. The synthetic Rotella T6 seems to have good reviews.

[Top Cat]

I run T-6 in all 3 of our bikes. 5,000 miles between changes.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Regardless of what the experts say I change at or before 3,000 in the Nomad. Small price to pay for insuring my engine lasts longer than I do.

In the Impala I try to change it at 3,000 but sometimes I go to 4,000.

A two cylinder engine in my opinion works harder than a V-8 or V-6 so I make sure that I change in sooner. I am sure the synthetic oil would last quite a bit longer. I believe in playing it safe.

[cocheese72]

I put 6k on my last change on my 900 Custom using regular MC oil. Shifted like butter the whole time. Put in Rotella T6 and it still shifts smooth as silk. Owners manaul says 7500 miles. There is still tons of 60's-80's Hondas, Kaws, and Yamahas all over the road. Something tells me they were not babied the whole time and probably spent time sitting out in the weather. These things are meant to be ridden. With what some people spend on oil changes they could just buy a new engine over time.

[macmac]

For bikes that get stored over winter it is best to change the oil at around 200 miles or less for that winter storage. What this means is if you say, change oil at 3,000 miles and have 2,000, then it is a good idea to change the oil before that winter storage.

What I will do then is change the oil and ride no more than 200 miles, not even that really, more like 100, and then put the bike away.

What this does is get rid of acids suspended in the oil and flushes any left into oil suspention.

Older oil will suspend acids in the oil which will eat the lesser noble metals with in the system where ever and what ever they may be.

In a Nomad the lesser metal is the engine case made of alloy.

I have seen this action on a good many other alloy case engines in the past, and eatten away engine case webbings isn't pretty.

Engines that don't have bearings and bushings at the cam shafts can be eatten away on bearing surfaces, other engine types of cast iron may suffere replacable cam bearings made of babbit compounds.

There is a big difference between using an engine versus storing one. In use the oils don't get to hold or leave acids in a place over months of no use, so there will be little if any damage by galvanic action in that case.

So that artical is true to a point, but would not be true in terms if winter storage in a place where winter stops the use of that engine.

[Loafer]

Good advise. :)

[cajun2wheels]

I like to mix a little bacon grease in my oil.Smells good when the engine gets heated up.

[Cajunrider]

Originally Posted by cajun2wheels

I like to mix a little bacon grease in my oil.Smells good when the engine gets heated up.

Yeah, we don't ever throw away bacon lard here. We'll use it for something. Great for frying eggs. Our tickers don't only pump blood, they're like diaphragm pumps. They handle grease and all kinds of trash.

[bobzinger]

Once a year regardless of miles. Mobil 1 10W40. Bosch 3300 filter. Average miles 7000 year.

[blowndodge]

Originally Posted by bobzinger

Once a year regardless of miles

This sounds like Todd's and SWB's showering schedule!

[05nomader]

Good information WOMPUS thanks for posting it, and a thanks to Mac for elaborating on it.