Topic: "not an oil thread - thread"

[mycb750k6]

Hey I just read a "not an oil thread" masquerading as an oil thread so I have an oil thread question. When I bought my most recent bike the oil was deadly dirty. It has a fresh change in it now but my neighbor who is a muscle car fanatic said I should change the oil three of four times over the next hundred miles till it comes clean. Any truth to that? I must admit what's in there now is not clear but I thought I could wait a few hundred before throwing away another a brand new filter.

[Gordon]

I'd just drop the oil pan and clean it and the pump screen, put in fresh oil and a filter, and proceed with my normal oil change schedule. 

[Bob Wessner]

There could be a good bit of semi-solid oil residue sitting in the bottom of the oil tank as well. You might consider removing it and cleaning the interior of the tank and remounting it. I found some in mine.

[Duke McDukiedook]

Just throw a crappy Fram in there for the quick change to get some of the dirty oil out.
They are good for that.

[Gordon]

There could be a good bit of semi-solid oil residue sitting in the bottom of the oil tank as well. You might consider removing it and cleaning the interior of the tank and remounting it. I found some in mine.

Good point.  Forgot about the tank.

[Ved]

I agree with Dukiedook. However, on mine I tossed about a half a can of Sea Foam in the oil, let it idle for about 30 seconds. Then let it sit overnight. The nexy day, drained the oil, put a cheap filter & oil in, and ran it for about 80 miles, then did a second change with a good quality filter and oil. Couldn't believe how much crap was still in there. After 500+ miles on it so far the dipstick still shows some nice looking oil. A little preventative maintenance goes a long way.

[TwoTired]

How did you know it was dirty?

Many oils change color with a heat cycle, going to black.  They are still clean and have a translucent quality.
It's when it becomes opaque or muddy looking that they are truly dirty.

[mycb750k6]

I forgot about the oil tank too. And as a matter of fact when I filled it with oil, the oil in the tank showed black swirls in it. I'm going to get it hot and drain it tomorrow.

[mycb750k6]

That's the first time I've heard of oil going black that then clear again but what do I know. I mentioned I have this case of Harley 20-50 I'm trying to go through. Now sooner than later it seems. I'm kicking myself for not cleaning out the oil tank.

[TwoTired]

That's the first time I've heard of oil going black that then clear again but what do I know.

I never said it would go back to clear.  It can be black and still be translucent.   Just like clear can be made red and still be translucent.
Translucent means you can see through it.  You can not see through opaque.

It is the additives in the oil that can change color with heat, depending on the choice of additives used in the oil blend.
Even Harley oil is not pure oil.  It has an additive package added to it which makes it behave as a multi-vis oil.

[brewsky]

May want to stick a magnet on a stick in the bottom of the tank and pull all the metal fuzz out also.

[mycb750k6]

Thanks guys. Now I'm definitely spooked. Oil is coming out tomorrow.

[BobbyR]

The main problem we wrestle with on these bikes is we do not know what the PO did or did not do. In some cases several POs. I see TTs point and it is valid. On the other hand we do not know if the last owner ever changed the oil and filter. Maybe they just topped off when they needed oil. On these well used bikes I would err on the side caution. If you do a total rebuild of the Motor you start off a 0 and go from there.