Great advice Doc!!!!! Back when I bought my 2010 Ultra Limited the 1st service was done at the dealer at 500 miles and the service has been done every 5K miles with Syn 3 oil ever since (unless while on a LD trip and went over/under a few hundred miles) and the bike runs perfect with over 100K miles!!!! God Bless and Thank You!!!
I have a performance naked bike - a Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS - and of course all you say is just right. The first service is the most important one. Also, the break-in oil is usually different from the oils you run later on.
I’m firm believer in proper oil changes! Dealer or yourself makes no diff to me! With all the micron debris and if a 5 micron filter is catching a lot of it? How quick till filter has to bypass? All things we can’t really prove during operation. I literally can hear & feel my RK run quieter/smoother after oil change. I aim for 5k intervals but don’t cry if sooner. 337K and counting Doc!
While my driving times have fallen off and my mileage has shrunk considerably, I change all my oils on my 2014 Ultra once a year as I do with my Ford 3500 super duty diesel truck. 5hanks Doc, truly appreciate your videos
Whist people may begrudge paying for an oil change so early on I think that they realise the importance. Most bangs for your buck I would say would be stage one then 2. Fit a toque cam to give you the low down grunt off the line and power to overtake. It’s a game changer. Cheers Doc. 👍🤜
Totally agree. I do all three holes at 500 miles. And I also try to get the most out of my battery, so a trickle charger is a must. I have one connected on each of my bikes at all times.
Totally agree. I was a Manufacturing Engineer for 3 engine manufacturers here in Wisconsin including Harley. I changed the oils on my 2020 Trike at 1,000 miles. Gear lube in the transmission, Primary oil in the primary and HD360 in the engine. Now i change the engine oil every 2,000 miles and the transmission and primary once a year. Probably over kill but it's cheap insurance,
I couldn’t agree more Doc ! I would add a magnetic Filter Mag …. I have run them on all my bikes , right there on the filter . They pick up any metal particles coming through with the oil
I agree with you. I disagree with those who buy a new Harley then want to make significant engine changes. Buy what you want then enjoy it as it is. Yes you can get more performance out of it. But the engine is built and tuned for reliability and longevity.
Great video doc,engine oil is gold,always told by my late grandfather, change your oil ,regulatory, and buy the best ,best wishes doc,Mike in beautiful Derbyshire England 🇬🇧
I've been riding motorcycles for 60 years. Not always Harleys but there has always been at least one Harley in my garage. I have always been very proactive about lubrication and was one of the early adopters of synthetic lubricants. I currently run AMSOIL oil and filters in my motorcycles and have been doing so for the past 20-odd years. I also always install an oil cooler in a new Harley first thing which really makes a difference. My daily driver is an FXSTC that's going on 13 years of age and still runs like it was new. I haven't been to a dealership for service in eons mostly because of their insane pricing. And if you go to a dealership for a fluid change they are not going to assign their best guy to the task. I trust myself and AMSOIL more than I trust some rookie oil change jockey and Syn3. I do a lot of my own work and I have a trusted independent shop for repairs that I am not set up to perform myself. My advice to dealership wanting to increase revenue is to be a LOT less greedy when quoting work. I get way better results for a LOT less $$$ going to my independent shop. Dealerships need to become a lot more competitive.
now thats a good video on my m8 128 i run lucas 20w50 break in oil after 300 miles it comes out i run the same oil again for 300 miles then driven racing oil.excellent ring seal
First you look great brother. Great to cya i change my oil around 1k to 2k. You r so right doc oil change is the most important service of all. I understand everyone is different but you tube is hurting the industry. Oh well nice seeing and learning frm you. Thanks for all you do for all of us. You are a mechanics mechanic. C ya doc
Sounds good to me, Doc! I didn't know that the PDI can rack up around 10 miles, I'd assumed it was a quick start up and shuffle in and around the shop. Makes you wonder about the horror stories that the "professionals" at some dealerships could fess up to after handing over your new ride... 😨
I couldn't agree more! Whether it's a brand new M8 or a rebuild small block Chevy, get that initial oil out between 100-500 miles. Your motor will thank you!
That's great that you keep them change every 5000, but what if you only do a lot of short rides, like bar hopping with only 10 or 15 miles betwin stops? Need a minimum of 30 to get the oil hot. So now the oil needs to be changed move often. There is a lot move reason to service your bike more often, then again all that depends on how and where you ride. 5000 is just a guide line.
I half the service manual recommendations. Eng oil @ 2500, Primary @ 5000 and Trans @ 10000. And when I'm able to ride I try to cover a minimum of 30 miles, preferably when it's above 60f. My first service was 560mi in 2018. Thanks Doc...great stuff!
Good segment. I find it entertaining all the different opinions. Sounds like some change their oil more than they ride. I myself don’t pretend to be some fluid engineer. Synthetic oil technology is good. I just follow the owners manual. Never have had an oil related failure in bike or car. Love my Harley but it’s not collector bike and before an oil related failure even showed up thousands of miles later most have traded it for something new. Regular on time recommended maintenance is a good balance between enjoying the bike and taking care of it $$.
Thank you for that. I agree that oil changes are so important. On my old Heritage I could purge the oil as it flowed back to the tank as the new clean oil chased it through. Is there any way of doing this on my 2004 Road King and a 114 M8 fat boy at all please? Thank you for your ongoing help and advice. 👍🤜
The break-in "ride it like you stole it" success is just a testament on how strong these motors are. If your 1st service is a conservative break in, like recommended, they would have the same if not better results.
I was taught to run race engines up to temperature then dump the oil after any assembly or rebuild. Keep the revs above idle especially if you have new cam or cams. I also prefer a dry clutch so it's not running in its own crud. I went to my local HD Dealer recently and was shocked to hear that they actually charge for the first service. I always thought of this as the manufacturer's last chance to check any manufacturing faults before they become a warranty claim.
I agree with one exception, I think you're better off at 500 mi. My trucks recommend that, and I've done it since the early '70s. Had fantastic engine life in all the vehicles, so I don't argue with success. Great video, thanks.
I agree with you all the oils being replaced at 1,000 miles from new is the best initial investment you can make on motor performance. I have one disagreement and that is to get away from the 5 micro paper filter and go with a PC Racing Flo Stainless Steel Reusable Oil filter that is rated at 35 microns. Yes people will say a 5 micron filter will filter more debris, but if you think about it what happens when the paper filter has a differential pressure across it the bypass opens and oil is no longer being filtered so how good is the filter. Cleanable flow filter is made of stainless steel mesh and is not prone to collapse. The filter element is removable and cleanable at every oil change. The filter also has a magnet that is viewable when removed so you can detect any metal going on as engine wears. Just my thoughts. Love videos keep ‘‘em coming.
I couldn't agree more. I would only add that the "reccomendation" initial and periodic oil change should be considered just that. You won't hurt your bike or it's components changing oil and filter earlier or more often - yes it's going to cost money - but you are ensuring the longevity of the mechanical heart of your bike. I believe that bikes that are ridden hard or hardly ridden both should change out oil more frequently than the manufacturer suggests.
Doc What I enjoy about you is your common sense approach. On my 2017 Road Glide Ultra my Dealership changed the oil at 500 miles then at 1,000. I’m glad they did after your talk. 41,000 on it now. No issues. Question Doc say you have only 3500 miles since last oil change. Should I change oil before winter storage or first thing in the spring like I do now😊
Being in the parts business of the automotive world (Toyota dealers) for 35 years I can't agree more. I tell all my clients the most important thing for the longevity of their vehicle is the oil change intervals. You stick to that 5K conventional or 10K synthetic and the vehicle will last. I personally run synthetic in my bikes and change every 5K. primary and trans at 10K. 03 lowrider with 94K on it 81K of those are mine since 11/2014 and a 2014 street glide with 31K of which 24K are mine since 11/2020
I for one welcome you back. I missed your video's. I live in NY and went for a ride with my H.O.G. chapter today. Before riding my 21 CVO trike, I checked and put the book tire pressure in all 3 tires. The whole ride it felt like the tires were made of concrete. How much can I safely lower the pressure to get a better ride? Thanks again.
The colder the air the harder the rubber feels. lowering the air pressure would create heat and extra wear. Have you played with rear suspension adjustments?.....Doc
Bought a1st gen Honda 6 cylinder GL 1500 GoldWing (April 1988 ) it was always been noticeable how much better/smoother/faster it runs after an oil change (it's almost to 300,000 miles) my Harley seems to be the same. In the scope of things it seems that oil is very cheap insurance 😉😉😉 just saying !!
This would be great advice no matter what it cost as the cost of the service is a whole lot less than the likely consequences of NOT doing the service. But, when you look at it in terms of return on investment (cost of the service vs. cost of not doing the service) there just is nothing that even comes close! The next item on that list of ROI would be purchasing a shop manual, especially if one is going to be doing their own maintenance!
Road Glide 17. Trace your Road glide wiring diagrams on a computer, only 5 or 6 different pages, back and forth, just give me the old paper, just like road maps. GPS is great but what happen when the stop working?
Great video Doc,,,, what are your thoughts on Synthetic vs Standard oil? I’ve got a 21 FLHX, with 10k on it,, I’ve used Harley Synthetic since first 1k mile change, but was never a 100% sure that was the right move?
My Street 750 's drive belt has started getting Fuzzy edge cord and it has only done 5,600 miles. Is it nomal or is there any need to replace the drive belt ? My belt adjustment is always done at the dealership.
Here is a question for you. I wanted to do a stage 2 to my 2020freewheeler. My local Harley shop said they can fit but can't dyno a trike. Once they did the upgrade I would have to take it to a car dyno shop. Does this sound right?
Dealer policy will vary, but in my shop, the break in service is the first time the bike gets intimate with a Master service tech. The setups are done but the junior level mechanics. Break in service is where a lot of warrantable issues are caught and resolved.
I got questions. How old is the oil in a brand new motorcycle, before it gets bought? How many times has it been fired up before his/her new owner got it? Idling time? Road tested? Thank you Sir.
If you are interested in a Harley. Ask the Dealer what the Manufacture Date is....Every Harley is available to test ride. The odometer will tell you how many miles. Idle time is short...Doc
Can someone tell me what "break-in" oil is please, I can't seem to find it on a shelf. PS...I know what most will say but I changed the oil from a Honda with 3 miles on it and it was green, is this what we are referring to?
Doc I have a UK 2018 Ultra limited and want to have running lights on the indicators now here in UK the bulb fitment is 1156 but to have running lights I need 1157 can you tell me what I would need to achieve this and would it be plug and play
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson well, I try brother sorry. Guess I got on your nerves with my remark. Sorry man I enjoy your videos, but I have opinions. I’m allowed this is still America. Let’s go Brandon.
Hey Doc, 2016 103 HO, changed the cam out to a Woods TW 222, Screaming Eagle push rods, Harley stock lifters. I can't get the push rods right, I've tried 2.5 turns and 2.75 turns and it sounds really bad. Any ideas?
What do you mean,”sounds bad “ a BW cam is going to sound louder than stock. BW slams as much performance into a short period of time. Reread how to adjust SE pushrod instructions. If you have to, take a part what you did in the cam area to be sure it is right….Doc
@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Sounds like it's going to throw a push rod right out of the top. The usual Harley "tick, tick, tick" is about 4 times louder than it should be. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-i4bNqRN4As4.html
I am pretty anal about my oil, I changed mine at 450 miles when my 2019 RGS was new, I also change it more often If I am making a lot of short runs or in a lot of traffic on the bike around 3k miles instead of 5k. I change Primary at every oil change and Tranny fluid every other oil change, using Amsoil since the first fluid change I'm at 54,800 miles so far so good.
When I drag raced cars I would run the motor for 30 minutes, long enough to break cam in and dump oil after a rebuild. The oil always had a metallic sheen to it.
LOL when you talk about Break in it reminds me when i was the shop dispatcher and warranty manager Rodney just finshed building a bike for the sales manager of the time, and Phil Got his hands on it and took it for a ride came back with his curly grey hair all pinned back and a huge smile on his face and he looked at Rodney and said it's broke in LOL !!
Local dealer had oil change special sale, bike only had 250+ miles on it. Then I did it at 500+. Took her in for 1000 miler. Changed all lubes. At 45K+. motor uses very little oil Just some blow buy into air cleaner. Money well spent in early oil changes. 2009 FXSTC
so let's start with some facts... have had many Harley's over the last half a century, amazed at how these bikes grind themselves up internally, while running, your engine will allow a certain amount of fuel vapor and exhaust to bypass the piston rings into the engine block / crank case which ends up in the oil, gasoline is extremely caustic and exhaust contains carbon which is one of the hardest substances on the planet, oil does two things.... The main purpose of oil is to lubricate and cool the components in your engine. Between combustion and friction, engines generate a lot of heat, and oil helps to keep things moving and prevent overheating. oil lubricates until its viscosity breaks down (i.e wears out), engine heat breaks down oil viscosity...and these engines certainly do run hot, the second thing your oil does is act as a medium to carry oil contaminated with fuel and carbon to the oil filter, the oil filter is no where near 100% efficient so a significant amount of fuel and carbon remain in the oil flowing throughout your engine, one of the ways we know this is that when you change your oil it no longer has that nice clear clean look, you'll also notice that when you change your primary and transmission oil they both show a pretty cloud of silver sparkly stuff in whatever container your draining into...that is metal flake derived from wear on machinery parts....much like the carbon in your oil, it does a fine job wearing down your bikes internal parts. my rule of thumb is to change all three fluids at the first 500 miles. this gives the bike time to properly break in,
oil is the lifeblood of any eng. the secret is good quality oil and filter, with frequent changes. one question i always had, does the bike leave the factory with break-in oil or the standard.
I installed a rev-tec 110 in my build and they said to change oil at 50 miles and 500 miles. which I did and that motor is perfect with over 60k on it dont burn a drop. Lets hear some rev tec hate comments boys lol
Oil, filter, primary and gear oil change at 50 miles. Engine again at 500. Another at 1000. Do it yourself. Get knowledge of your bike and how it works.
