Synthetic oil/winter storage question : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

John Klad · 08-20-2009, 03:43 PM

Knowing that the oil change interval with synthetic oil is a lot longer than conventional oils, here's my question. If you only have 1,000 or so miles on your last synthetic oil change, and its late fall and you're ready to put your bike away for the winter, should you still change your oil again before winter storage (at $10/qt)?

LVNDRM2 · 08-20-2009, 03:56 PM

John:
I live in northern Illinois, and change the engine oil and filter, and the transmission oil before I store my Sportster for the winter.
I also change it when I am ready to take it out of storage.
Since my garage is not heated, there are some large temperature swings that bring about noticeable condensation.
IMO, it is cheap insurance, and you won't question yourself 3 months into winter.
Steve

garyad · 08-20-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Klad

Knowing that the oil change interval with synthetic oil is a lot longer than conventional oils, here's my question. If you only have 1,000 or so miles on your last synthetic oil change, and its late fall and you're ready to put your bike away for the winter, should you still change your oil again before winter storage (at $10/qt)?

Put some more miles on then you won't feel so bad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LVNDRM2

John:
I live in northern Illinois, and change the engine oil and filter, and the transmission oil before I store my Sportster for the winter.
I also change it when I am ready to take it out of storage.
Since my garage is not heated, there are some large temperature swings that bring about noticeable condensation.
IMO, it is cheap insurance, and you won't question yourself 3 months into winter.
Steve

Changing it before you lay it up, yea but throwing that oil out in the spring? Seems a little OCD to me.

hdmarsh77 · 08-20-2009, 05:34 PM

Personally, I don't worry if I don't have too many miles on the oil before I put it up. I think it's important, however, to make sure the last ride is a long one to get the oil hot and get all the moisture out of it.

If you just change it and don't go for at least one last ride, all the oil in the engine is still the old oil and defeats any purpose of changing it anyway.

MaloloJoe · 08-20-2009, 05:52 PM

IMO, if you only have 1000 miles on it I wouldn't worry about changing it. For the most part the reason you change before storing is due to fuel dilution and other byproducts of the combustion process remaining in the oil. Oil these days have plenty of additives that encapsulate contaminates as well as corrosion inhibitors.

If you're changing before and after storage you're only lining the pockets of the oil cartels, oil companies and contaminating the environment.

Just Saying…..

skeefer · 08-20-2009, 06:24 PM

The ONLY good reasons to live in So Cal is not having too do this and being able to ride all year. Other than that this place sucks. But "happy wife, happy life".

Serg06 · 08-20-2009, 06:30 PM

I'm not sure I understand this oil changing for winter stuff. I mean it's oil. I bet if you just left it alone and cam back when your winter was over, you wouldn't even no the dif...And winterizing? What does that consist of. Not being a smart a$$ I just don't understand.

strokerjlk · 08-20-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

And winterizing? What does that consist of.

getting out the elec. gear! LOL
Sorry couldn't resist.

Serg06 · 08-20-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strokerjlk

getting out the elec. gear! LOL
Sorry couldn't resist.

I should have known.

MaloloJoe · 08-20-2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serg06

I'm not sure I understand this oil changing for winter stuff. I mean it's oil. I bet if you just left it alone and cam back when your winter was over, you wouldn't even no the dif...And winterizing? What does that consist of. Not being a smart a$$ I just don't understand.

MOCO conspiracy to increase sales as the riding season comes to an end. 1,000,000 oil filters x $10.00 = boo koo bucks…

doc ock · 08-20-2009, 11:27 PM

Here is a thought. Drain the synthetic oil into a clean container and store it in the house. Refill with any oil on sale and store it for the winter. When riding season comes back switch out the oil. You can find many oils for 2 bucks a quart on sale. Or just ride more and move to some place warm all year.

MaloloJoe · 08-21-2009, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doc ock

Here is a thought. Drain the synthetic oil into a clean container and store it in the house. Refill with any oil on sale and store it for the winter. When riding season comes back switch out the oil. You can find many oils for 2 bucks a quart on sale. Or just ride more and move to some place warm all year.

Now what are the people that say when you switch to synthetic you need to run it a short time and replace it again to flush out the mineral oil ?

doc ock · 08-21-2009, 10:00 AM

I know oil is a religion but IMO it won't hurt.

huckinfog · 08-21-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serg06

I'm not sure I understand this oil changing for winter stuff. I mean it's oil. I bet if you just left it alone and cam back when your winter was over, you wouldn't even no the dif...And winterizing? What does that consist of. Not being a smart a$$ I just don't understand.

ya know, check the anti freeze n stuff.

Seriously, some like to put them up on blocks to get the tires off the ground, and all sorts of hibernation rituals. That's ok, to each their own. No way I'd change out syn oil @ 1000 miles.

Serg06 · 08-21-2009, 11:49 AM

[QUOTE=huckinfog;1660274]ya know, check the anti freeze n stuff.

[QUOTE]

Thats right! how could I have been so stupid and forget the coolent. Good to know I have fellow brothas to remind me.