[kwalker]

I have an 04 Fatboy with 3500 miles. I run Amsoil 20/50 in the crank and primary, and 75w 90 gear lube in Tranny. All were last changed in April of 05, ran for about 1500 miles and then the bike was "semi-stored" for the winter. What I mean by that, is it was fired up and ran at a fast idle for about 20 minutes twice during the winter. The question is......I plan on changing the crank oil and filter and replacing it with 20w 50 Amsoil. Is it advisable to change the primary and tranny since they only have 1500 miles on the lube but have been in the bike for a year. I know dino oils break down after a while but wasn't sure about the syns. I dont have a problem changing them all, I just wasn't sure if it was neceassry to do that each year with the primary and tranny when I only put about 2000 miles on the bike a year. Thanks for the advise.

[halln]

Well heres my .02 worth and remember I am not a master mech. I also have an '04 Fat Boy, I have about 9700 miles on mine,I switched to all synthetic at its 1000 mile change,I then did ALL the oils at 2500,5000,7500,and will be changing it this week ,I know you can go further on syn.but my bike's tranny even with the syn. oil starts to shift chunkier at about 2000 miles after the oil change,so I just do it all at once to eliminate the possibility that I get out of sequence and go longer than I should on any of the other intervals,probaly over kill but oh well
Take it for what it is worth

[chucktx]

i would change it all out......you did 20 minute runs,,,,,then it sat. you may have picked up some condensation. if you are getting ready for the riding season, change them all........peace of mind is worth 10 times the cost of the service..........have fun
chuck

[kamakazi]

Depends on how long it sat? If it sat for more than a month, then I would change all three...
The preferred method prior to "hibernation" (storage) is to change all three prior to storage and disconnect the battery terminals and install a trickle charger on the battery.

[halln]

Kamakazi ,I have a related question to the trickel charger ,My Fatboy sits inside in a climate controlled room (heated drive in basemant)and the longest it ever goes without being ridden is 2-3 weeks at the most. It is an '04 and I have never had a hint of a low battery to date ,am I taking life from the battery by not having a charger on it when it sits ?

Thanks

[kamakazi]

2-3 weeks isn't bad, unless it's 2-3 weeks every month? If you meant 2-3 weeks a year every 6 months then no, your battery should be fine. If you plan on storing your bike for more than 1 month (continous length), then I would recommend you put a battery tender to it to save the life of your battery. You'd be amazed on how long your "stock" battery can last when it is fully charged and tendered properly... Mine lasted over 6 years... Right now, I'm in Shanghai, China on business, it's 0220 hrs in the a.m. here and I'll be hitting the 1 month thing pretty soon! Don't ask what I'm doing up at this time of hour...

[scooter]

kamikaze,

See very many Harleys over there in Shanhai?

scoot

[kamakazi]

Originally Posted by scooter

kamikaze,

See very many Harleys over there in Shanhai?

scoot

No, not one. One of my disappointments after thinking there was a Harley shop here! Apparently, the Chinese government deemed that motorcyles are under-powered and thus creates a safety hazard here... Well, the bikes that are here, are 2 strokes that sound like a lawn mower gasping for air LoL! plus they can't even drive here! The fatality rate is sooo high it is common to see accidents every other day. The law actually states that "cars" have the right of way instead of pedestrians! I'm here for another two weeks and then back home. man, I can't wait to get back home!

[Tim Vipond]

Originally Posted by kwalker

I have an 04 Fatboy with 3500 miles. I run Amsoil 20/50 in the crank and primary, and 75w 90 gear lube in Tranny. All were last changed in April of 05, ran for about 1500 miles and then the bike was "semi-stored" for the winter. What I mean by that, is it was fired up and ran at a fast idle for about 20 minutes twice during the winter. The question is......I plan on changing the crank oil and filter and replacing it with 20w 50 Amsoil. Is it advisable to change the primary and tranny since they only have 1500 miles on the lube but have been in the bike for a year. I know dino oils break down after a while but wasn't sure about the syns. I dont have a problem changing them all, I just wasn't sure if it was neceassry to do that each year with the primary and tranny when I only put about 2000 miles on the bike a year. Thanks for the advise.

If the AMSOIL you used was the old AMV 20W50 synthetic motorcycle oil with no picture on the front, you should change it every 6 months or double Harleys oil change mileage interval, whichever comes first, to maintain your AMSOIL parts and labor warranty.

If the AMSOIL you used was the new and improved MCV 20w50 synthetic motorcycle oil with a picture of a Harley engine on the front, you are warrantied by AMSOIL for 1 year or double Harleys oil change mileage interval, whichever comes first.

When storing your motorcycle you might consider topping off your gas tank, adding a gasoline stabilizer like https://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/ast.aspx, and run it for 10 miles or so. This will keep the gasoline from going stale, your gas tank from rusting, and remove condensation.

Also for storage, consider using an engine fogging oil like https://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/fog.aspx. This will keep your engine inside nice and lubed and rust free.