A question for multibike guys...

I track dates and mileage (some of my bikes don't have speedo gears anymore from wheel swaps). With so many bikes, I would typically hit a predetermined date before hitting any kind of mileage choice.

I used to change once a year, either Spring or Fall on different bikes to spread it out a bit. Got really tired of draining brand new looking oil tho. So I've started evaluating each situation, like the type of usage, and do not have a "hard out" regarding the change. I've been letting them go a bit longer.

Most of my bikes get to full operating temperature for more than an hour when they are taken out too, with the occasional work commute. Plus, my bikes live in a controlled environment without temperature and humidity swings (of any consequence). I know that even if oil "looks" new, it can still have contaminates and acids, but anytime I'm in my engines, everything looks perfect including cams.

So I'm really not worried and it just starts getting too damn expensive to drain and recycle oil that looks new and seems to be still doing it's job. I know I can send a sample out for testing and see if my revised approach is working. I bet it is.

Some people might have a problem with that. My bikes, my choice. And I don't think any buyer of one of my bikes is going to question my maintenance philosophy.

I do keep a couple batches of brand new looking oil that I have drained to use as flush oil when I get a new-to-me bike. Drain the oil and filter, fill with the "used" oil and run er before draining and fitting a new filter and oil.

 

There's zero info about oil going bad in such a short time. I change it on the normal mile intervals. I also don't start the bike unless I'm going to ride it.

If you're really curious and have $ to spare, send it off to be tested. You'll find that it is fine, excellent probably, and contains nothing bad including H2O.

Like firearms, these are not delicate items. They can take severe abuse, far beyond what we'll ever put them through.

Just ride it!

 

That is something that a lot people don't get.

"I start it every now and then to keep the carbs from gumming up".

Just filling crankcase and exhaust system with moisture to then sit some more.

 

Yeah, like I said, some of my bikes don't have working speedos, and hence odometers. So I have to adopt some kind of time / visual / tactile / smell decision criteria.

 

Stop dicking around Mike. Taste is the only way to go.

 

Hah! So awesome, laughed out loud.

 

WTF? You guys change your oil?