I'm wondering whether or not I should change the oil in my 2013 Triumph Bonneville before I put it away for the season. I'm running Amsoil 20W-50 motorcycle in it and have about 2000 miles on the oil, 5000 on the bike. The valves are supposed to be adjusted at 6000 so I'd like to wait until then, but that definitely won't be until spring. Any harm in letting it stay in over the winter? It will be in an unheated garage.
Change Oil Before Storage or Not?
- Thread starter Wampahoofus
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You should be fine, if you put the bike away after a long run giving it time to burn off excess fuel and moisture which might be in the oil. A nice 30 mile run should do the trick before you put it away.
I don't think leaving the oil in will hurt anything.
I'm going to put my old BMW away for the season this week.
I'll leave the ~2700 miles in service Maxlife in it and change it in the spring when the oil hits 3K in service.
Your oil and mine still have plenty of residual TBN, so concerns about acids eating away at the engine are unfounded.
Just do what I do and give the thing a good run to evaporate all the condensation from the oil before putting the machine into hibernation for the winter. I'll drive my car the twenty five miles home from work Friday and then put her in the garage for the winter.
No need for fresh oil now. Give it fresh oil in the spring, after you've hit 6K and adjusted those valve clearances.
I'm going to put my old BMW away for the season this week.
I'll leave the ~2700 miles in service Maxlife in it and change it in the spring when the oil hits 3K in service.
Your oil and mine still have plenty of residual TBN, so concerns about acids eating away at the engine are unfounded.
Just do what I do and give the thing a good run to evaporate all the condensation from the oil before putting the machine into hibernation for the winter. I'll drive my car the twenty five miles home from work Friday and then put her in the garage for the winter.
No need for fresh oil now. Give it fresh oil in the spring, after you've hit 6K and adjusted those valve clearances.
it wont hurt a darn thing ! take it for a long ride when you get it out in the spring.. take your other propper winterizing steps on the bike and dont loose a minutes sleep.
If i had a nickle for every piece of bad advice, bike maintence rumor, or just simple untruth told to me about motorcycles and the upkeep.. well id have a few bucks.. Im walking talking proof, change your oil in the spring, change your oil in the fall.. it makes zero difference, as long as your changing your oil your fine. Ive had multiple motors tore down and ive done it all.. (changed oil at odd times, when it wasnt needed etc) and the guts always look the same.. The most important oil related shared sump bike advice i could pass along is when it gets feeling notchy on your left toe.. change it, if its not notchy and its getting up there in miliage, change it.. simple sorry for the rant.
If i had a nickle for every piece of bad advice, bike maintence rumor, or just simple untruth told to me about motorcycles and the upkeep.. well id have a few bucks.. Im walking talking proof, change your oil in the spring, change your oil in the fall.. it makes zero difference, as long as your changing your oil your fine. Ive had multiple motors tore down and ive done it all.. (changed oil at odd times, when it wasnt needed etc) and the guts always look the same.. The most important oil related shared sump bike advice i could pass along is when it gets feeling notchy on your left toe.. change it, if its not notchy and its getting up there in miliage, change it.. simple sorry for the rant.
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I'd wait until the spring. I just ran my oil for 14 months in my truck, and no problems were found in my used oil analysis that I got back today. Even Blackstone said it in their comments that oil doesn't go bad with time. So no harm should conme from letting it sit. So just relax until you need to change it.
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