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[charles05663]

Hello everyone,

After looking at the $350 price tag for a complete three hole oil change at the local stealer, I decided to purchase a Handy 1500 BOB lift (that sucker is heavy and suspect more that I need) and am looking to start doing my own work.  I am about to do my first oil change of all three holes in prep for winter storage and am not sure if it is best to change the oil when it is hot or cold.  I did find a lot of helpful hints on removing the oil filter and such; just not sure about what temp the oil should be.  I suspect that hot would be better.

Does it matter?

Charles

[VRODDAVE]

I have always gone out for a short ride before changing the oil, if for no other reason than to let flow out quicker.  My thoughts are if there is any Debris in the oil/motor, i want them to flow out with the old oil.

After the oil change, i go out for another ride to get the new oil all worked into the motor.  Al least one or two pitstops at several of the local pubs is a must to allow the oil to breakin properly.  

[grc]

It is best to drain fluids when they are at normal operating temps, immediately after riding.  There are a couple reasons for this, the first and most important being that the oil holds contaminants in suspension during operation but will allow junk to settle out as it sits.  You want to drain out the maximum amount of the contaminants.  Another reason is that warm or hot fluids will drain quicker and more completely.

Be careful to protect your hands/skin, as hot oil can cause scald injuries.  I personally ride the bike for about ten miles to get everything up to operating temperature, then pull into the garage and let the bike idle on the jiffy stand for a couple minutes (to let the oil pump move as much oil as possible to the tank), shut the bike down and immediately remove the drain plugs and let the fluids drain.  I wait awhile to remove the oil filter, since removing it when hot usually results in a gusher that makes quite a mess no matter what device or method I use to catch the oil. 


Jerry

[harleyteam]

if your sure your done riding for the season, I wouldn't change the oil till your ready to ride in the spring. don't know about you, but I can't afford to just dump some fresh oil in the spring cause of condensation buildup. just my view.
we have 5 Harleys, 4 that use synthetics.  gets quite expensive in the spring.

[1sharprdkg]

Oil= HOT!   Beer= COLD   

[Chains]

Oil= HOT!   Beer= COLD   

X2

[yellowhog]

One of the worst things that you can do to your motor is to let "used" oil sit in it all winter while the bike is down.  There are acids that form in the oil and they can actually etch the metal inside the motor.  You should always store the bike with fresh oil in it.  It's cheap insurance...

[sadunbar]

One of the worst things that you can do to your motor is to let "used" oil sit in it all winter while the bike is down.  There are acids that form in the oil and they can actually etch the metal inside the motor.  You should always store the bike with fresh oil in it.  It's cheap insurance...

Yep....

For us Northerners, it's good advice to change oil every fall when the bike gets put away for the winter - and every spring before the first ride...  Winter condensation is not your friend either...     

[North Star]

Really? I agree with the part about putting in fresh oil prior to storage, but I don't think you need to drain that unused oil in the spring- Years back, my highly regarded Kawasaki mechanic gave me crap for wanting him to drain out perfectly good oil, when I brought my ZX 9 to him in the spring for an oil change.

[sadunbar]

Really? I agree with the part about putting in fresh oil prior to storage, but I don't think you need to drain that unused oil in the spring- Years back, my highly regarded Kawasaki mechanic gave me crap for wanting him to drain out perfectly good oil, when I brought my ZX 9 to him in the spring for an oil change.

Unless it's stored where it never sees condensation....it's a good idea.   

[LC110]

Drain fluids after taking engine up to operating temperature.
Install fresh fluids before fall storage.
Any condensation will evaporate out of the oil once the engine up to full operating temperature.
Fresh fluids in everything in the fall/fire it up in the spring and ride!

[North Star]

Unless it's stored where it never sees condensation....it's a good idea.   

Sitting in an attached garage at home should be fine- I would think condensation is created by starting it up once in awhile for short periods without letting it fully warm up.

[Racerdj]

I prefer hot.

[indcoltz]

This is one thing that has always puzzled me, everyone says change the oil when it's hot because it flows faster??? But correct me if I'm wrong, doesn't the oil thicken as the temp goes up??? 20W cold 50W at running temp??? I understand the contaminants in the oil and getting them flowing but the part about it flowing more free when at temp???

[LC110]

winter grades of 5W, 10W and 20W are determined by the oils' viscosity at 0° Fahrenheit (-18°C), while grades 20,30, 40 and 50 are determined by its viscosity at 212° Fahrenheit (100°C).