Change oil before or after ride?

**Flyingpony** · 31st May 2005, 19:05

Couldn't find an existing thread so here goes.

My bike will be getting an oil change within the month but because it hasn't travelled more than 10km per ride in the past 12 months, it's therefore not had a workout nor reached ideal operating temperature.

My current thought is to give it a short workout on the port hills behind Chch in a couple weeks time to properly heat things up and dislodge any sludge. Then it'll get a change of oil & filter (plus some other tid bits).

Is this the right idea?
Thanks

Edit: Would've attended the 'hill top' run but had commitments and still need new sprockets & chain to be fitted. University is nearly finished for this term. One more week to go - yaa! Then for new chain & sprockets.

**zadok** · 31st May 2005, 20:32

I'm no expert, but your idea sounds ok to me. My only concern is how many clicks you have done on the oil in it now.
Is that a two stroke bike, by the way?

**inlinefour** · 31st May 2005, 20:44

I've been changing my own engine oil since I was eight (I'm 33 now) on both 2-stoke and 4-stroke, 50cc-750cc. What I was taught as a young fella was to warm the bike up first on lidle , shut it off and then proceed to remove to remove the oil and filter (if it has one). The warmer oil allows it to flow better. I go off for a coffee and a read of the paper (the bike is inside in the workshop) to allow all the drips out. On with the new filter, sump nut and in with the oil. Just remember that the filter will fill up with oil, so a top up is needed. However once I buy the CBR600RR, I doubt if I'll bother doing it to that. More likely to leave that to the service mechanics

**TonyB** · 31st May 2005, 21:01

Doesn't really apply to your situation, but a mechanic once said to me (about changing the oil in the car), "why take it for a drive to warm it up? It was hot when you put it away, right? And all the oil drains to the sump, right....?"

**Sensei** · 31st May 2005, 21:03

I do mine cold so there is no oil left sitting up the top end which can dirt the new stuff straight away when you start it back up plus you don't burn yourself with the hot oil either .

**FROSTY:Me** · 31st May 2005, 21:05

depends on how rich ya feel dude. 12 months no oil change--scarey
if ya can afford it I'd warm the engine up a little-dump the oil .Then throw in some cheap oil and do the port hills run.Then do ya oil and filter change.
I wouldn't normally suggest it but being as its been awhile since the last change ya might have a bit more crap in there than normal

**Yarg** · 31st May 2005, 21:20

would certainly warm the oil first. it flows better when hot. Change oil at more frequent intervals.

**JohnBoy** · 31st May 2005, 21:27

Originally Posted by Yarg

would certainly warm the oil first. it flows better when hot. Change oil at more frequent intervals.

agree, much easier. only issue is if your bike is like mine, you will probably end up burning your arm!

**250learna** · 31st May 2005, 22:31

Originally Posted by TonyB

Doesn't really apply to your situation, but a mechanic once said to me (about changing the oil in the car), "why take it for a drive to warm it up? It was hot when you put it away, right? And all the oil drains to the sump, right....?"

it doesnt matter if its cold, it just takes longer to drain it proparly.
The up side is that you dont have to worry bout the "hot" bits

**inlinefour** · 1st June 2005, 01:32

I've never burnt myself doing an oil change. If the oil is THAT hot then your an idiot

Sensei, I once asked about that myself, about mixing the old with the new. I was told by a qualified mechanic that if the oil is cold it tends to stick to the inside of the engine much more and getting it warm will ensure it gets flowing and along with gravity, out of the bike. At the end of the day I can't offer any factual evidence on what is best, just know what I've been told by people who should know. Either way: regular maintiance equals no worries

**250learna** · 1st June 2005, 02:10

I saw a honda service guy from england say that when filter is hard to reach they do it on a cold engine, jst takes them longer. I always take the bike for a bit of a spin to warm it up... any excuse to ride

ive always changed on a warm engine, same with my car... and never go burnet

**Lou Girardin** · 1st June 2005, 08:23

Drain it cold so that all the oil has settled in the sump. If your usage is a few, short rides use a good quality mineral oil and change it every 2000 to 3000 km.

**Motu** · 1st June 2005, 09:09

We have to keep a balance here so I say change it hot,water is the biggest contaminant in oil,get it to max temp and drop it...oh dear you burnt your hand,that's tough,wrap it in your apron till it gets better.You won't get all the oil out,and you better hope you don't....you need some oil around for start up with drained filter.

**g34l** · 1st June 2005, 10:41

thanks for the idea!! i thought i can just let the oil out as it is!

**Ixion** · 1st June 2005, 10:42

Originally Posted by Motu

We have to keep a balance here so I say change it hot,water is the biggest contaminant in oil,get it to max temp and drop it...oh dear you burnt your hand,that's tough,wrap it in your apron till it gets better.You won't get all the oil out,and you better hope you don't....you need some oil around for start up with drained filter.

I wonder if anyone still uses flushing oil. Or if it is even obtainable