Triumphrat

hootieST · 11-01-2006

Even though I live on Vancouver Island, and could basically ride year-round, I've decided to park the Sprint for the winter. I've lots of experience storing a bike for the winter, but have been wondering lately...

Why do I need to replenish the oil when I drain out the old oil? I'm not riding it any where, and have no plans to fire her up. It has always had synthetic oil so the parts should be well protected since I believe synth oil stays on the metal parts much longer than dino oil.

Any thoughts about this??

Must say, I had an enjoyable time this year and look forward to '07!

Cheers.

Normandy · 11-01-2006

I see no reason at all not to do it that way.

Speed3 · 11-02-2006

The reason that I wouldn't leave my engine without oil is that there are major temp fluctuations in our Northern climate, causing condensation to develop everywhere. I change my oil and filter at the end of the season when I'm sure I'm not going to ride for a few months. You don't have to change the oil in spring. Just fire up the bike and ride, and whatever condensation that has accumulated will burn off. Bottom line, you don't want your aliminium bits in the engine to oxidize.

hootieST · 11-03-2006

Thanks for the replies Normandy & Speed3.

Since my garage is not heated, the temp shouldn't fluctuate enough for condensation to be a problem. I think the engine block would change temp rather slowly in relation to the air temp varying.

Besides, next spring I can just fill it with cheap oil, run it to operating temp, drain the oil and any condensation that might have occured, and put the good stuff in.

Sounds reasonable in theory. :wink:

Speed3 · 11-03-2006

Why take the risk?

Sport · 11-05-2006

To prevent sludge build-up.

Although I'm guilty of not 'storing' it since I've recently moved East and I ride EVERY chance I get, Oil will separate as it gets cold leaving sludge to build up at the bottom of the case. This sludge becomes difficult to remove and could, albiet over a period of years, create problems.

Just my $.02 worth.

zippythehog · 12-01-2006

Hi all,
Actually hootie, if you think about it, say you have two pots on the stove, one full of water, and one empty. If you turn on the two heating elements, which pot heats up first? When you turn off the elements, which pot cools first?

IMHO, you are better off to change the oil, get all of the undesirables out of the oil pan, and fill it with new oil to help make temp. changes gradual and maybe keep the machine in ridable condition. At least with new oil in, you could fire it every week or so for a good warm up and keep the fuel fresh and save yourself storage set up and spring set up(maybe even ride on a nice day).

If I drained the oil for storage, I would probably forget there was no oil in the engine. The first day out for me would be very unpleasant.

Good luck,
Zip

GleaminTwin · 12-01-2006

I have a similar question, my bike has synthetic oil in it, a few months old, with about 1 thousand miles since its been changed (which was at the 500 mile service). So, well below the 5 thousand miles the oil supposedly is good for. But I've heard it's good to change the oil before storage; and I even have a friend with a Ducati who, ridiculously in my opinion, changes his oil every thousand miles, w/ fresh oil before storage, and fresh oil after storage. He's oil change mad. So what's the reasoning here, is it just peace of mind or is there some tangible benefit to putting new oil in the crankcase and to coat the internal parts versus 1000 mile old but still reasonably fresh oil. I would definately understand changing it if we're talking about oil with a full seasons use or 3+ K miles on it, but here we're talking about only 1 K miles. Also I have Stabil that i've been using, putting it in my ancient Lambretta, its 4+ years old but I still have some left. Does Stabil also last forever or does it go stale like gasoline does?

Silverado57 · 12-01-2006

Twin, I'm pretty anal about oil, so it would be a tough call.

It'll probably be ok until spring but would change it before it really comes out of hibernation in the spring.

I changed mine at 500, then around 1,200, then 5,000 and will do so around 8,500 in anticipation of the 12,000 mile service.

GleaminTwin · 12-01-2006

OK, thanks Kevin, for the info. So I see that you did your first oil change after the 500 mile one at 1200 miles. Is this because the engine was still breaking in and therefore its good to do that oil change extra early? Well, that makes sense, I think I'll arrange to do this oil change the next time I'm out in Connecticutt, for that reason plus the storage reason, now it definately makes sense for me to do it.