Triumphrat

BlueJ · 10-10-2007, 08:25 PM

OK, so I drained the oil and discarded the old filter. Then I filled the new (temporary) filter with Amsoil and put it back on. Then filled her back up with Amsoil... this is the first usage of Amsoil, 2nd oil change (first one was at about 800 miles, now I'm at about 4500 miles). I've read that when you first shift over to Amsoil, you should only run about 1-200 miles on the new filter, then switch it, because the Amsoil grabs all the old oil, etc. etc.

Here's the question: How much of my fresh new oil will I lose when I pull the filter to replace it with the one that will be on there for 5000 miles?

Maybe 9 bottles of Amsoil isn't going to be enough to switch two Bonnies worth???

NewOldSkool · 10-10-2007, 08:58 PM

Not to be a smart a$$, but do you mean how much will spill out while you are changing the oil filter on the bottom? What I would do if you want to reuse the oil is to drain it through the plug first, then you should only loss around a .5 - .75 pint that is left in the filter. I have heard the same about Amsoil, but when I switch... not sure if I will do it or not. Let me know if you do see alot of crud in there and I will do the same then.
Mondo

mecscc · 10-10-2007, 09:11 PM

How does this voodoo happen? Does Amsoil have these little microscopic hands with little dippers attached that takes all the bad old oil and leaves the good yummy oil?

Sorry.

But seriously, where do these oil mavens get this stuff? Does anyone seriously think that if there were some magic oil that can tell between good and bad oil that is mixed and then DIRECT that oil to the filter and then INSTRUCT that oil to stay there while the good stuff keeps on going that there would be any need to ever change oil in the future? Why not just top up with good old magic oil instead each time you change the filter?

Monte

rodburner · 10-10-2007, 09:24 PM

Yeah,what Monte said. Put it in,and leave it there til the next change in the spring.

wonderdog · 10-10-2007, 09:29 PM

Hi Monte,

Are you still using dino mixed with something else? I'm thinking Mobil VTwin next time because its available. Will it work if its put in a parallel twin? I can't find any "parallel twin" oil anywhere.

I'm sorry guys. I know you want the best for your bikes but there are an awful lot of stories out there on oil and a lot of them are probably close to being urban legends. How about this, clean oil is good oil, change it often. I'm thinkin any old 10w40 changed every 1500 miles. Heck, I change the oil in my scooters every 500 miles. Its that simple to do.

BlueJ · 10-10-2007, 11:22 PM

I didn't mean "good oil" vs. "bad oil", per se. The thing I read talked about how Amsoil (and possibly some engine flush) was going to pull a bunch of varnish, etc. into suspension that the non-synthetic didn't, and that after a short amount of time a bunch of crud would have been trapped by the filter and by swapping the filter with a clean one you're good to go.

It was with this in mind that I got the cheapo Emgo filters that say right on the box CHANGE ME AFTER 1500 MILES....

So it was while I was pouring in the new oil and watching the sight glass that I thought... "Hey, wait a minute! That dang filter is ON THE BOTTOM! How the heck do I 'swap it out' without losing all the oil!??!?!"

So if the consensus is that the whole 'first batch of Amsoil acts like an engine flush' thing is malarkey... then I'm stuck having to do an oil change after 1500 miles because of my poor taste in filters. By that time (almost certainly next spring) I might as well just replace all the brand new oil that's been sitting there all winter. *Sigh*

How tight does the filter need to be? Seriously hand tight good enough? To get the old one off I used a wide channellock and gipeed it hard enough to dent the filter, then I could get it off fine. Didn't want to reverse that process putting the new one on.

mecscc · 10-10-2007, 11:44 PM

BJ: Let's see if we can take your problem apart one thing at a time.

First, next time buy a filter that will last 6000 miles. The Emgo probably will, but why chance it?

Second, you can clean around the oil drain hole and the filter hole and catch the oil in a clean pan and reuse it. Repair shops do it all the time. I've done it off and on for over 50 years. Just keep it clean as you do it.

Third, there is no need to change brand new oil in the spring that you put in in the fall. If you aren't going to ride, fog the cylinders, crank her over twice and forget it. It will be largely air tight. There are other things to do for winter storage also, but not regarding the oil.

Fourth, put some oil on the O ring and hand tighten it until it sets snugly. Get a good hand grip on it and give it a hard tug, but don't overdo even that. It won't come off.

Fifth, RELAX. You haven't hurt anything and won't if you just take your time and follow the above.

Monte

Hey, WD: GOOD to hear from you!!! Hope all is well. Yeah, I still blend my own concoction: half and half of Mobil 1 V-Twin full syn 20W50 cycle oil and Pennzoil dino cycle oil 10W40. Meets all Triumph spec requirements, is cheap, and locally available almost anywhere. Been doing it for years on all the bikes and running them 6000 between changes. Costs about $12 to change the Bonnie that way. Buy both at the auto parts store down the street. Bonnie has about 16000 on her now, still bone stock, still runs perfectly, etc.

ToeCutter66 · 10-11-2007, 08:14 AM

My clutch slips with the amsoil.

DrewDesign007 · 10-11-2007, 09:55 AM

@1042 miles, when should I change my oil again?

Boriqua · 10-11-2007, 10:01 AM

I would leave it alone as well.... having said that .... I just changed my oil at 1200. The dealer did the first service just because I always let them do the first service and that was at about 450. Sorry but I am old school and couldn't believe it was done breaking in at 500 miles hence the change at 1200. The oil I took out was pretty mucked up. Wasn't black or anything but definitely pretty nasty brown and opaque so I was glad I did it. I would have felt like a fool if I drained it and it came out golden but feel great that I can now ride worry free. Now I am sure each successive oil change will yield me used oil that looks remarkably close to the new stuff

SSoooooo

Ya gotta do what feels good. If your going to be riding around worried about your engine and it costs about 5 bucks to remove the aprehension I say go for it! It CERTAINLY wont do any **** harm to put on a new filter and its a cheap enough happy thing.
Alex