Oil Change Intervals

[devonbiker]

I'm not going to ask "which oil", it's just easier and quicker for me to buy the Harley 20w50 oil. I had an interim service done by a none Buell garage almost 2 years ago. I've done 2000 miles since then. I had engine and transmission oil changed along with brake fluid change all round plus other serving checks I guess - nothing specific on the invoice. Thinking I would have to spend a few hundred pounds on servicing this year I've decided instead to at least change the oil myself. But my questions are...

In the real world how often should oils be changed - Brake fluid, engine oil, transmission oil? I know the recommended periods but for those who service themselves what do you do and how often if you don't do many miles each year?

 

[Shawns]

I change mine at the start of the new season regardless of the mileage. It's cheaper than the damage of insufficient lubrication.

 

[akela]

I change mine at the start of the new season regardless of the mileage. It's cheaper than the damage of insufficient lubrication.

+1

 

[ReconLdr]

I'm not going to ask "which oil", it's just easier and quicker for me to buy the Harley 20w50 oil. I had an interim service done by a none Buell garage almost 2 years ago. I've done 2000 miles since then. I had engine and transmission oil changed along with brake fluid change all round plus other serving checks I guess - nothing specific on the invoice. Thinking I would have to spend a few hundred pounds on servicing this year I've decided instead to at least change the oil myself. But my questions are...

In the real world how often should oils be changed - Brake fluid, engine oil, transmission oil? I know the recommended periods but for those who service themselves what do you do and how often if you don't do many miles each year?

I change my oil at:

1) the beginning of the riding season (April) regardless of the # miles on the current oil. I want to start the season on good oil and not have to loose riding time to perform the service.

2) every 2500-3000 miles (at 2500 miles I buy the oil and filter and do the service in the next weekend or so)

3) the end of the riding season (November) regardless of the # miles on the current oil. I do this so I park my bike with good oil in it and it will always be available for a ride when we have an unseasonably nice day. I rode well into December this year. Global Warming hit in January and my shed was covered in a foot or more of snow until just about 3 weeks ago.

I change the oil in my primary every other oil change.

 

[snrusnak]

I try to do ~3000 miles. Problem is I never write down when I do it, so I sort of guess... I do the trans when I do the engine just because I'm right there.

 

[08herobolt]

I change it at the beginning and the end of the riding seasons. The real issue is additives. The oil itself won't really break down, the additives however, will start to deteriorate. Without them the true "quality" will suffer, especially over an extended period of time.

 

[mmcn49]

Pretty much what everyone else said about oil changes. Brake fluid should be changed every couple of years or so, it’s hydroscopic.

However I seem to go through brake pads at an alarming rate. Whenever I change pads I always drain most of the fluid and replace it.

 

[go cytocis]

I change my oil at...the end of the riding season (November) regardless of the # miles on the current oil.  I do this so I park my bike with good oil in it

I agree. Given one or the other, I prefer an end of season oil change to a start of season change just so I know that the bike's not sitting idle with dirty oil which is corrosive.

 

[Stillonit]

Whatever makes you feel good. but never go more time or miles than mfg recommended changes.

 

[rah7777777]

Get an oil analysis done.

I had 18 months and almost 3 thousand miles with Mobil 1 and the report showed the oil had hardly any wear. They suggested going 2 years next time.

Black stone labs is who I used.
Synthetic oils are very very very durable oils. Big key is to not do short trips all the time. If you do mostly highway miles or longer then 15-20 minutes each way your good.

My truck had 18 months and 2 thousand miles but it's mostly short trips and the report was bad. They said change at 1 year mark next time.

Wife's car was 6k in 6 months and they said go 12/12 next time.

(Mobil 1 in everything with WIX filters)