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Posted by CDNRatMan
- October 31, 2013, 09:38:04 AMWell got the fresh stuff in and some sea foam into the tank and let it run for about 10 mins to get things all oiled and sea foamed up and we will now move to the living room on Sat morning.....rain and flurries for the next 5 days is in the forecast....
Posted by DC
- October 31, 2013, 07:31:34 AMOver the winter, I start mine about once a month, and let it run a while, each time.
Posted by Troll
- October 24, 2013, 08:52:52 AM200 miles isn't anything I do, I just don't want to leave oil in the engine that has been used for 2,000 miles. You need to consider that the additives in the oil, by they time it gets near change time, are pretty well depleted. I don't want to leave combustion acids in the crankcase to start etching parts. I would love to be able to run the engine over the winter, but most of the time, it's too cold (sub zero Fahrenheit) to do that. I've had one exception to that in 50 years...winter of 2011 where I actually never really stopped riding, starting out again on Jan. 6th with 50 deg. temps. With the W, as far as I can plan ahead, I'm going to run it for about 50 miles, to make sure it's fully heated so I won't have to worry about condensation in the engine after cool down, and the dose of seafoam in the gas is well mixed in both the tank and the carbs.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- October 24, 2013, 07:51:25 AM Well looks like I lost on this one, woke up to snow on the ground and it is wet and heavy, bets are it is here to stay. So if the weekend is clear and dry I'll be outside on the ground doing an oil / filter change and then let it idle for a bit to run the fresh stuff through it. Lots of ideas and thoughts.
D1 for the forum I'll be doing the videos clothed but for you it will be a special edition in my Stanta red thong, and GB will be getting a copy of that one too.....
Posted by Drift1
- October 24, 2013, 05:18:22 AMJla the ratman is the king of his castle that's how he gets away with parking his lovely sunbeam in the front room. With riding season coming to a halt here very shortly , keep your eyes open for all the fun he has decorating his scoot for the holidays and all . I'm waiting on the pics of him riding ( fully clothed ) to Trolls videos he has made with his go cam , and nice job I might add 
Now as for us telling your miss's on you , dude she knows she's just letting you think your pulling a fast one ....lol
Posted by JLA
- October 24, 2013, 02:20:12 AMI quite agree with Reo; I do the same, because I start the bikes once per month during winter and I even ride a couple of hours some sunny day.
Ratman, very important to start the engine with the new oil several minutes (perhaps to ride some meters) in order to rinse the bearings and sleeves with the new oil, before to put the drifter in the living-room. I envy you :-) I go several times to my garage (it's not in the same building that my flat) only to watch my bikes, and I'm there only staring them (please, don't tell it to my wife).
nice day to all of you guys
JLA
Posted by 49Reo
- October 23, 2013, 20:00:53 PMI like to change mine before parking them for the winter; then fire them up and run new oil the bearings, then shut them down for the winter.
Posted by Drift1
- October 23, 2013, 20:00:01 PMSo with that being said the trick to your mastered 200 + mileage is simply change the oil before putting her to bed ? 
LOL Now like we say in the military , " TO EASY "
Posted by Troll
- October 23, 2013, 18:08:20 PMHUH? what do you want? With the Harleys, there was never any problem about leaving the oil in, the engines were always having to come out for something...Now, when it comes to my new best friends, the Kawasaki brothers, I change the oil before I put them to bed for the winter. I changed the oil in the Drifter before I went to mad town, yesterday, and since I only need 200 more miles on it this year, I'll wait on the W until I've got the Drifter blocked up off the ground for winter storage. I only need 50 more miles on the W for an even 10,000 this year, so it's oil change can wait for the weather liar to predict snow. As far as what I'm using.. well that's more of an interesting story. I tried several brands of full synthetic motorcycle specific oil, and try as hard as I could, I just couldn't bring myself to extend the oil change interval by enough to make them cost effective. I noticed NO difference in performance, or engine noise no matter what I put in. Wal-Mart had a close out on Valvoline 10-40 Motorcycle oil last week, so I bought them all at $3.99 a quart. I now have enough for all next season for both bikes...as they both use 3 1/3 quarts each for a change with filter....Having the bike in the house would be something I would love, but I don't think my Wife would appreciate it. My old house had my work shop with heat, surround sound, internet, phone, and cable TV...here I have a 2 car garage that gets to be as cold inside as it is outside....
Posted by Drift1
- October 23, 2013, 16:56:35 PMNow that's funny 49 
but do remember were talking about ratman so I'd be careful asking him to video tape 
I personaly would like to hear Trolls input on this subject . No disrespect intended to the other members who already posted on this matter so please don't take any offense . It's just Troll has had numerous rides with very high mileage and seems to have mastered something on this subject . Whatcha say Troll ?
Posted by 49Reo
- October 23, 2013, 13:59:27 PMThe good quality rigid aluminum, collapsible dryer vent works great for the exhaust pipe extension; might be a good way to run it in the living room. If you do any burnouts in the living room, please be sure to set up the video camera first.... 
Posted by CDNRatMan
- October 23, 2013, 13:04:04 PMEven I draw the line of starting it once in a while in the living room, unless I can make a vent hose out the side door...something to ponder......
Seeing as it snowed last night and today for a bit it might be time to hasten to get it done.
Posted by ahernandez74
- October 23, 2013, 11:00:31 AMI dont think you need to go as far as draining the oil and leaving it empty. I would give it a fresh oil change with synthetic and let it sit in storage until its time to fire her up again. Shouldn't be any problem with that. Even if you start your bike once or twice during winter time, you'll still keep it running freshly.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- October 23, 2013, 10:57:06 AMWelcome back JLA, so you are suggesting that I drain the oil and leave the crackcase empty for the winter, because I park in the living room for the winter and have no ambition to ride in sub zero weather.
Posted by JLA
- October 23, 2013, 08:46:56 AMHi Ratman, pleased to meet you again, I was out for more than 2 months
Hi DC
My own experience, not only with vehicles but also in industrial maintenance, is that if the machine will be stopped for several months, the engine should be stored empty, because the engine oils have some corrosive components which damage the metallic parts (mainly the gears and other friction parts) in the long term.
If this is not a option for you because you use the bike, even occasionally, in winter, then my recommendation is to put the new oil just before the storage. Never storage with old worn oil.
Other personal recommendation: get synthetic oils specific for bikes (the clutch is lubricated with the same oil that the engine) from very well known oil brands; never from the constructors of the vehicles (kawasaki, wolswagen...), who ask for it to the same brands and then increase the price for their own distribution. The most important parameter for the choice of an oil for a vehicle is the viscosity in cold conditions; mainly for vehicles living in cold climate. The first seconds/minutes after the starting of the engine are the worst for the friction and damages. The best oil is that which protect the engine in those moments. Here in the centre of Spain (continental climate) with low temperatures in the mornings (less than 5ºC) I use 5W40 synthetic oils in my bikes and cars; even better 0W30. Perhaps 10W40 if the engine is old (under 50.000 km.) and it spends some oil.
Regards
JLA