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[jimcb1]

does anyboy ever suck 1-2 quarts of oil out in between service and put new oil in say at 2500 miles and then full service at 5000 miles would this hurt anything or would help?

[9 1/2 Beers]

I would not do this

 I don't mix new and old oil, I my top off a little but not a Qtr or two.  I would also change the filter

 Just my opinion

 Marty

[bigdave110]

Why!!!!!

Dave

[Midnight Rider]

Why!!!!!

Dave

That would be my question as well...today's oils, especially synthetics, can actually go for much longer than 5K between changes, but I follow the manual on the Harley.  There is really no reason at all to change the oil sooner than 5K intervals under normal driving conditions...it's a waste of resources.

[dartman]

does anyboy ever suck 1-2 quarts of oil out in between service and put new oil in say at 2500 miles and then full service at 5000 miles would this hurt anything or would help?

Oil needs to be changed once in a while and checked once in a while, from some of the posts I see on here some riders let oil consume the better part of their day.

[muddypaws]

I have been using Amsoil and now plan to use their filter and change oil every 10,000 miles. The mechanic in my shop has been doing this for a long time with no problems. Any thoughts?

[Dr.D]

I have not done this but thought about it. My reasoning( ) would be that the oil would be in better condition but with less cost and work and the attitude that every little bit helps.

[Keats]

It certainly would not hurt anything, but not sure there would be any measurable benefit.

The oil would be a little cleaner (it would delude the dirt)

but the time effort and expense seems proportionate to any gain.

[mrmagloo]

Here's my .02 fwiw.  I go about 10,000 miles per year. At the 2,500 mil mark, I'll drain the oil and keep the filter. Then at 5,000 I'll do the oil and filter.

[Dr.D]

It certainly would not hurt anything, but not sure there would be any measurable benefit.

The oil would be a little cleaner (it would delude the dirt)

but the time effort and expense seems proportionate to any gain.

Yeh "measurable benefit" could never be measured for sure. Dilute the dirt yep. None of us would be anal about these bikes would we??

[jimcb1]

why cant you add new oil to oil with 2500 miles what will happen will it not blend together, iam not doing this to save money , it is just getting the bike to dealer a pain and on some weekends i mite put 2000 miles on it, long hot hours on that oil, just stopping for gas , i just thought it would help to freshin the oil

[grc]

I'd suggest a scientific approach, as opposed to one of the various unscientific approaches put forth by hordes of armchair "experts" or those wonderful folks who make a living selling excessive oil changes and other services.  When you drain that oil at 2500 miles, send it out for analysis.  Regardless of what the armchair experts will tell you, the reason for changing the oil has nothing to do with it turning dark and being supposedly full of "dirt" (you did install a filter, right?), but is in fact related to stuff like shearing, additive depletion, acid formation, etc..  All of that stuff can be analyzed in a lab, and you can use that data after a few changes to determine when you really should change the oil and filter for your particular circumstances.  Throughout the history of the industry, until recently, oil change schedules have been based on worst case scenarios.  Now the more enlightened manufacturer's are extending those intervals to more accurately reflect modern materials and conditions, and many have actually eliminated the hard and fast schedules in favor of on-board analysis that turns on an idiot light when it's time to change the oil.  That often results in 10k plus intervals, btw.

Use a high quality synthetic oil that meets all the SAE and API requirements for your engine, and I'll guarantee you any failures you have with that engine won't be caused by your oil.  Changing oil every day won't make up for lousy quality parts, and wasting resources and money for no good purpose might be a Harley tradition but it's not a good one that we need to perpetuate.

Oh, for those who just can't stand the thought of "used" oil running around in their engine, there is an alternative from early in the last century.  It's called total loss lubrication, and you never had to change the oil and you didn't need a filter. Fill the oil tank, remember to open the valve when you fire the engine up, gravity causes oil to flow from top to bottom, and then it drains out.  If having brand new oil all the time was such an important thing, I wonder why they abandoned that method?


Jerry

[Midnight Rider]

I have been using Amsoil and now plan to use their filter and change oil every 10,000 miles. The mechanic in my shop has been doing this for a long time with no problems. Any thoughts?

If you're not concerned about your factory warranty, or don't have an extended warranty, it would be fine.  Otherwise, if you can't prove (by receipts, records, etc.) that you have followed the manufacturers recommended service intervals, you're screwed if your motor takes a crap.  You don't have to let the dealer do the work, but you do have to provide proof that you did it yourself, or some other independent shop did it.

[Midnight Rider]

A lot of things surrounding oil change intervals are based on what used to be done, or what needed to be done back in the days of non-detergent, lower quality oils.  3K intervals were the "norm" when I first started driving a car, and it may have even been necessary back then.  That thought process, has, unfortunately carried over even 'till today.  Unless you drive/ride under very unusual circumstances...like always on dirt roads, 90% in heavy traffic, etc., etc....it is, at the expense of hurting someone's feelings on the subject....absurd to dump perfectly good oil just because it has changed colors.  Of course, if you don't mind boosting the profits of your local parts store, or local dealership, by needlessly spending money on some service that you think needs to be done, then have at it.  But, it is absolutely wasting a valuable resource that isn't going to get any cheaper by using it up more rapidly.

Like Jerry said, and I agree 100%, I guarantee that if your motor fails, it's not because you didn't change your oil every 2500-3000 miles.  There have been countless studies on this subject that prove the fact that frequently changing oil does not prolong engine life, or appreciably reduce wear.  Just follow recommended intervals in your manual so no warranty issues arise...if that 40-50 bucks it costs to change oil and filter is burning a hole in your pocket, I'll provide my address and you can just send it to me...I'm on a fixed income. 

[Dr.D]

After reading posts by GRC and TC I feel enlightened and liberated. I'll get you boys a check in the mail right away.

Now serious the points you both made were great and I do appreciate it. I have a habit of connecting the oil color with effective condition.