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[txbear55]

Just read Joe Minton article in Am. Rider.  He advocates 10 runs at full throttle in 3rd gear and the rings are seated. Break-in over!  What do ya'll think?

[MAVERICK]

I say ride it like you stold it !!!  On my harley street bike engine I very the rpms in all the gears keeping the engine below 3000 rpms for the first 100 miles. I also dont lug the engine and try not to get it too hot only riding it for 20 minutes and then letting it cool.From 100 to 250 I run the engine through all the gears keeping the rpms below 4000. Once again I try and not get the engine too hot. I try and avoid the freeways and ride the back streets. From 250 to 500 I start running the bike through the gears throwing in some full throttle operation but not getting the bike hot. 500 to 1000 I mix freeway and city street riding varying the rpms in all the gears. I run the bikes up to about 110 mph. If I can I prefer to break a new engine in during the winter or spring when the temperature is cooler. You can go one more step and change the engine oils at 250 and 500 mile intervals.

[RedFXR2]

I just read the same article.

[Twolanerider]

I just read the same article.

[RedFXR2]

Some years ago dino oil for break in actually made a difference.

[Twolanerider]

That's what I was thinking, too.

[RedFXR2]

The only reason I'd still do it when given a choice doesn't have anything to do with the properties of either oil.

[displacing air]

Is this a current magazine...could someone scan and post...really would like see this.

[Twolanerider]

Agree again, but I was interested to see in the owner's manual of my wife's new BMW sedan (synthetic oil from the factory) that the first oil and filter change is called for at 11,000 miles.

[RedFXR2]

I've read of several extended service intervals even on the first oil too.

[RedFXR2]

Is this a current magazine...could someone scan and post...really would like see this.

It's the October 2005 issue of American Rider.  They've got a web site but it doesn't match the text issue.  I don't have access to a scanner but if you check a newsstand, its in the article by Joe Minton that starts on page 56 called "Minton's 95."  The exact  page of the break-in talk is 64.

[Tonys]

New Harleys come with dino oil...except CVO's have Syn3...I would go 500 miles with what is in the engine, change oil and filter, then use synthetic and new filter at 1000 mi.
I use a similiar break in procedure to what Maverick said. The key points are do not lug it and do not get it too hot...especially the first 50 miles.

[grc]

#1 - There is no scientifically valid reason for not using synthetic oil during break-in.  This is an old wives tale that has been perpetuated over the years by people who have a vested interest in non-syn lubricants.  I'm sure everyone remembers the BS put out by Harley and their dealers about how synthetic was too slippery, would cause roller and ball bearings to skid rather than roll, etc., etc.  I still remember the original ads for Mobil 1 where a person couldn't keep a screwdriver soaked in Mobil 1 from slipping through their fingers, which supposedly proved it was "slipperier" than plain old oil.  Whoop-de-doo!  I can use that method to prove that cooking oil is slippery also, but I don't think I'm going to put in in my engine.

#2 -  I have always used a break-in method similar to Maverick's.  The first 50 miles, warm the engine up thoroughly before riding and then ride gently - you don't want sudden large changes in temperature.  The next 450 miles, ride more normally but still avoid WOT at maximum rpms.  Without lugging, accelerate fairly hard for a short distance to load the rings against the cylinder, then coast down to stabilize the temp, then repeat.  This will rapidly seat the rings.

[displacing air]

Thanks Red,

I dont usaully admit stupid stuff I do...but the Magazine was setting on the desk next to me...I just haven't read that article yet.

Thanks,

Barry

[BLM777]

Thanks Red,

I dont usaully admit stupid stuff I do...but the Magazine was setting on the desk next to me...I just haven't read that article yet.

Thanks,

Barry

Barry....don't feel bad, I had been waiting for someone to scan in the article myself.  Took a "pause" a little while ago and mine's sitting in the library, translated bathroom.