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Oil analysis

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by jturuk, Mar 11, 2010.

  1. jturuk

    jturuk New Member

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    Last edited: Mar 12, 2010
  2. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    I have never done it on my Bike but used to On My Big truck's
  3. Art_NJr

    Art_NJr New Member

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    I've never sent oil from a H-D engine in for analysis, as you don't have to concern yourself with such things as anti-freeze in the oil & you can see what you need to see from the drained oil, spark plugs, etc. No sense trying to "re-invent the wheel" either - the H-D design has been around so long that what works, what doesn't & why has been firmly established - including with synthetic oils.

    The only thing different I tried that worked in a street / road bike was while running Red Line synthetic, change the filter @ the normal interval (around 3000 miles), add enough new oil to replace what came out with the filter change, then next time change both oil & filter. You might get away with changing filter only twice then both oil & filter the 3rd time, but I haven't gone that far.

    Oil doesn't "wear out", but the "additive package" in it sure does - i.e.,, when the detergents have done all they can do, you have to change, even though the oil is still lubricating & cooling. How far can you go before the oil is contaminated enough to replace? (Due to moisture, "blow-by", etc. in it) That depends on how, when & where you ride, what condition the engine is in, etc. - there is no "one size fits all" answer to that question.
  4. skull2007

    skull2007 Active Member

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    better off spending that money on fresh oil. sounds like overkill. you may be needing some sort of therapy:eek:
  5. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Blackstone makes a kit where you can get an analysis,
    lots of folks do it but it's probably overkill, unless you just like doing that stuff..

    Blackstone Labs

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