Oil Changes and Winter Storage

[SVRACER01]

too late. we will kill you in the spring. the ground is easier to dig

[LXnastynotch93]

too late. we will kill you in the spring. the ground is easier to dig

If that's the case, let me change my oil now so my bike is ready for the next owner in the spring lol.

[nhbubba]

You should, it boosts resale value.

[PhilB]

I'm inclined to change it at or soon before winter storage, so that it is clean as it sits, and take the bike out and use it with that same oil in the spring.
I change the oil every 5-6K, with synthetic for motorcycles; not particular about brand.
I did just under 17K this season, and given this week's weather, am probably done for the season at this point.

I put it in as late as I can, and take it out as early as I can, so winter storage is typically less than 4 months.
During the winter I do not start it up, unless there is a clear dry day that allows me to take a real ride of an hour or more.
I do roll it around, and turn over the engine with the starter, about once a week, to keep tires from flatspotting and parts from taking a set.

PhilB

[Rosco61]

So my Dad and I just tucked our bikes away in the garage for the winter. We didn't change the oil in any of them before hand. However, I've been reading some articles that state the oil should be changed before storage, due to the fact that the oil can become acidic from combustion gasses and actually do corrosive damage. Is this a huge deal, i.e. should I change the oil on all 3 bikes before it gets super cold? I've stored vehicles before (Mustangs) and I've always done the oil change in the spring, and never before storage, and they've all been fine.

Any thoughts, ideas or suggestions on this?

The poll is absolutely fine. Just read the paragraph and you get it. It's winter here at the pick every thread apart forum.
It's not rocket science.

[LXnastynotch93]

One more question, there seems to be a little oil weeping from the crush washer on my oil plug on my Husky. It's over an hour to my nearest Husky dealer, and it would cost me almost $15 to ship one to my house. Can I just find any old aluminum crush washer that fits and be fine? I feel like a KTM (or some other 4T 450 motorcycle) washer might be similar.

[breakdirt916]

oh dude...btw, I'm doing this in an FZR600 too

I don't know if they're all built alike, but I have like 50,000 + miles on my '95 and I didn't follow an anal oil change winter schedule...so yeah, you might be okay on yours

[LXnastynotch93]

oh dude...btw, I'm doing this in an FZR600 too

I don't know if they're all built alike, but I have like 50,000 + miles on my '95 and I didn't follow an anal oil change winter schedule...so yeah, you might be okay on yours

I'm not too worried about the FZR that's going to be fine lol. I'm more worried about my Husky since its a little bit more particular about maintenance.

[stoinkythepig]

One more question, there seems to be a little oil weeping from the crush washer on my oil plug on my Husky. It's over an hour to my nearest Husky dealer, and it would cost me almost $15 to ship one to my house. Can I just find any old aluminum crush washer that fits and be fine? I feel like a KTM (or some other 4T 450 motorcycle) washer might be similar.

A crush washer is a crush washer. Put one in that fits. If you have an old copper one, you can anneal (heat it until it glows, let it cool, sand it smooth) it with a propane torch and use it again.

[TheIglu]

The poll is absolutely fine. Just read the paragraph and you get it. It's winter here at the pick every thread apart forum.
It's not rocket science.

Not true.

I've checked the poll 6 times now and I still don't see either of the required "bemused" and "beet is naked" choices.

[Garrett]

How bout fuel? Fill tank up to prevent rust?

[Sheppo]

How bout fuel? Fill tank up to prevent rust?

I Always top it off and add stabil. Even if its only going to be a few weeks.

[TheIglu]

I Always top it off and add stabil. Even if its only going to be a few weeks.

I've emptied the last 6 years on all my bikes. All steel tanks.

Still no visible rust anywhere inside.



I've said it before. It's all about consistency of temp. Store your bikes in your basement, your gas won't go bad and your tanks won't magically rust. And your round tires won't become square suddenly.

[nhbubba]

Many (most?) of us cannot store indoors or in our basements. Not all of us have a walkout or daylight basement.

I top my tank off and add stabilizer. So far so good. The only tank I have that has rust is my 30+ year old CB that my father stored in his barn for years with a 1/4 full tank.

[AVI8_636]

I've said it before. It's all about consistency of temp.

This is the most important thing that, until now, was missing from this thread. In past years I had to store my bikes at my parents house because they have a detached garage with space. I always filled the gas tank at end of season because there was the potential for HUGE temp swings. Anywhere from negative temps, up to +50 or 60. Now I have them stored in my own garage/basement. It never gets below 55 down there, so my tanks are near empty.

As far as oil, I'm running Motul semi syn and full syn in both my bikes, and I'll be damned if I dump good, expensive oil just because they're in "storage". I'll check it before I ride next season, but the stuff is still bright red, and have faith that it won't suddenly break down in the next couple months.

[carsick]

Motul semi syn and full syn in both - but the stuff is still bright red.

Red? I know the 300V is green...

[Sheppo]

Mine is in an unheated garage.. there is no consistency.

[BMMCBR]

Change it every 6000 miles or so, regardless of the date. Motor oil does not expire over time and used oil does not dissolve engines. You leave used oil in it throughout the riding season don't you?

Somehow it always ends up being at the beginning of the season and towards the end, but never right before I put the bike away (if I ever do).

[AVI8_636]

Red? I know the 300V is green...

[TheIglu]

I run O-.

[Jim]

if the motor isnt going to be running, who cares if the oil has been sitting for 4-5 months? just change it before you start riding in the spring.
more importantly, if the whole "breaking down the engine" BS was true, do any of you really ride long enough to actually make this a concern?

well over 30k on my street bike, and 30 races a year on my other bike....never had any issues leaving old oil in there over the winter.

[Billy]

When I first got into riding, some people said they changed it before they store it and then they changed it again before riding it in the spring. I'll be honest I did this the first two winters and on the third one, I was like "why am I doing this." It makes total sense to change the oil before you store it but I did not see much justification in changing the oil again in the spring. In my opinion it's a waste of good oil and money. If memory servies me right, the reason people change it the second time in the spring is because the oil absorbs moistore?

1) When you change the oil and put the cap back on, the engine is for the most part sealed right? If so, it can only absorb it from the air that's in the engine compartment which can't be all that much (especially if you do it in the winter with lower humidity levels).

2) If the oil does absorb moisture, what's wrong with running the engine in the spring with that oil and just burn it off?



I've been changing the oil in the winter before I store it and that's it. When spring rolls around, I just ride it.

[gamorg02]

Change it every 6000 miles or so, regardless of the date. Motor oil does not expire over time and used oil does not dissolve engines. You leave used oil in it throughout the riding season don't you?

+5 or whatever we're on for this as well. I don't go that many miles but thats regardless.

[Garrett]

I've heard of people topping the oil up (like til it comes out of the fill port) to soak the clutch plates. I bought a bike that was stored since '07 and this was the case. I couldn't believe how much oil was in there.

[Billy]

I've heard of people topping the oil up (like til it comes out of the fill port) to soak the clutch plates. I bought a bike that was stored since '07 and this was the case. I couldn't believe how much oil was in there.

When people do that, that is for long term storage (years). I read that in order to properly drain the oil you have to pull all spark plugs and crank the engine a couple times.