Another Oil Change Question

[FL240]

The owner's manual for my '09 750C2 says to change the oil and filter prior to placing the bike in storage, and to change the oil again if it's been in storage in excess of 4 months. Assuming I change the oil / filter in a couple weeks when I put it away for the winter, what is the purpose of changing the oil again when I get it back out in the spring? Would the filter also need to be changed again?

[93gc40]

The reason for changing after storage is that the oil picks up moiture and deteriorate over winter. They also assume worst case storage conditions. Yes change the filter, cause if there is water in the oil, that is where most of it will be. Now if you can periodically run the motor over winter, you could avoid or delay the spring oil change.

[John Hopkins]

I have never deliberately stored a bike, I like to have them to ride all the time, but if I was going to store one I would not change the oil just to store it, but I would change the oil, coolant and filters after storing it.

John.

[gat803]

This is one of those total bullsh!t things that too many people buy into because they don't know any better.

Any and all, let me repeat that, ANY and ALL moisture that your oil could possibly pick up by setting in your engine thru storage will burn off the first time you ride the thing for an hour when it comes out of storage.

Look at the sight glass on any motorcycle so equiped and you'll be surprised at how often during the riding year the oil has some moisture in it. It will burn off, without hurting you engine. It's not like there is a cup of water in there.

There is no valid reason to put oil and a filter in your bike just to leave it sit and then change it again after it sits for 4 months. I generally change the oil in my bikes once a year, usually in the fall. Why? Because it just works out better that way. When the weather lets me ride in the spring, I want to ride, I don't want to be screwing around.

edit; Oh, and the worst thing you can do to a motorcycle in storage, is to run the engine. You can NOT get everything up to operating temperature by just letting it run sitting there. THIS leads to moisture problems, not letting it sit. Store it, and leave it be until spring.

[justinmahn]

An extended warranty would be a good reason to follow recommended service procedures.

Otherwise, do it your way.

Sent from my MB886 using Motorcycle.com Free App

[gat803]

That's just ridiculous.
Prove I didn't follow the "recommended service procedures". Recommeded is just that. Recommended, not mandatory.

If you don't know any better, then by all means do something that isn't actually necessary.

[justinmahn]

I'm not trying to say you're not taking care of the bike! I only mentioned it, because dealers sometimes void warranties when you deviate from the book on service procedures.

Carry on, friend!

[gdb069]

I had to take a second look at my owners manuals and you are right it does say to change the oil if bike is stored for more than 4 months. I have never done this though. I put fresh oil in at the end of October and then store until April so about 5 months. I have not found any problems with any of the bikes I have including 95 Shadow and 78 Gold Wing although I hate to disregard the owners manual. May be a problem if bikes are stored ouutside or in a damp shed.

G.

[kacealraid]

I'm with Gat on the argument of "prove I didn't follow the procedure." They can't. But I don't let my bike sit anyway Lol.

[gdb069]

I keep thinking about this dual oil change from a technical standpoint. I know this is over thinking but I am an engineer and I do belive in the service and owner manual recommendations. Putting aside any conspiracy theories and and opinion, I wonder why Honda (and other manufacturers) would suggest 2 oil changes if stored more than 4 months? Lets look at it:

I understand that you probably don't want contaminated oil sittting in the bike for a long storage period since that may harm components. From my owner manual "Reduce the effects of deteriorization from non-use of the motorcycle". OK on that. So I have fresh oil in there. My owner manual specifies on removal from storage to "change engine oil if stored more than 4 months". Note Honda does not specify the filter needs to be changed since it is new anyway. They do not indicate why the oil change is required although it is assumed due to condensation contamination. I am not OK with this as pointed out by Gat803 unless there is a lot of condensation it wil simply burn off. I remember in the old days puring water in carbs to clean carbon.

Lets say it is not from water contamination. You have just filled with clean oil and it just sits there for 4 months doing what? It does not circulate, so it does not lubricate or cool or anything. It is sitting at the bottom of the crank so not submerging the entire primary drive? It is not depleting at least not to the point of replacement. So if the first change is to have oil in the crank that you will never use and throw away later, I assume it could be a really inexpensive oil since it is just being used to keep fluid in the crank and then drained before the bike is even started.

I checked car owner manuals and none of them recommend a dual oil change for storage.

G.