Oil Change Intervals.

[Red Diamond]

Thought I'd run a few extra miles in between oil changes this time, rode 4,973 miles before changing. Probably won't do that again, didn't like the extra darkness of the oil. Usually run 3500 between changes and the extra 1400 or so miles does seem to make a difference in the darkness and thinning of the oil. I use 15-50 in a 99 I/S.

[Rio Wil]

Regular as clockwork, 5000 miles, put in 4 quarts and drain out 3.5 quarts.....rotella 15-40.  Used to be M1 15-50 til developed clutch slipping. 

[rodeo1]

4 in 3 1/2 out - do we have a little oil burning problem there ?

[Tropic traveler]

4K using either Rotella 5W40 syn. or Mobil1 10W40 4T full syn.
It is dirty but not horrible. Oil is cheap & I don't trust such a small oil filter for much longer than that. I'm sure the oil would test good but I just feel better doing it this way.

[PhredValk]

5K or less. I ride to Ontario each year (OK, this is the second year, but it's the plan for the future) and it's about 5K round trip. I change oil before and after, and in the fall before bedding her down for the winter. Synth oil and filter every change. Rear lube and maint each spring.
Fred.

[X Ring]

Every 5K miles.  M1 15W50 and a Purolator Pure One PL14610 oil filter.  I wouldn't doubt if tested the oil would still be good and we could change the filter, top up and go another 5K but with the oil also getting chopped up by the gears in our trannys, I wouldn't try it.

Marty

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

5000 miles is what I run mine M1 15W50. I've been doing this ever since I got my first valk. I put 34k on the first one sold it to a freind at work. My I/S has 133k on it, I've put 74k of that on it in 5yrs.

[Toledo Mark]

I once had a craftmans push mower that was 25 years old and I never changed the oil.  Just added a little when needed.  It ran great and started on the 2nd pull until I hit a stake in the yard.  But I do change the Valk every 3 to 4k. Regualer Honda GN4 oil.

[98valk]

4K using either Rotella 5W40 syn. or Mobil1 10W40 4T full syn.
It is dirty but not horrible. Oil is cheap & I don't trust such a small oil filter for much longer than that. I'm sure the oil would test good but I just feel better doing it this way.

the filter is not there to keep the oil clean, it doesn't filter down to a small enough micro rating. 5 micro and lower is required to keep the oil clean, this can only be done with a filter by-pass system. filters are in the 15-20 micro range, Pure1 is around 12mircons. most filters in general are good for 15k miles as this an OEM requirement for most vehicles. Honda wants 8k oil and filter change.
it has been documented by other riders using the oil u are using that thyer are chaning every 10k miles and some have over 200k on their bikes.
 it is there mainly for catastrophic failure/dirt etc that could destroy the bearings.
at 4k miles and with those oils u are just pouring money down the drain and increasing enviromental waste and not to mention wasting oil and your time.
www.bobistheoilguy.com   there are used oil analysis forums there.
all of this has been addressed on this board many times, search is your friend.  

[98 T]

I used to change every 2500-3000 with dino oil.... now I'm running  Golden Spectro SEMI-synth....I think 5000 is reasonable- probably can push it to 6500 miles.  It costs so much more now to change than years ago (about $40 per change)  and semi-synth is a step up... I think I'm ok.

[Farther]

5k or annual which ever comes first.  Right now the bike is on it's first try with Shell Rotella T6.  I would use the M1 turbodiesel stuff but it doesn't seem to be available in my area.  M1 for bikes and Amzoil are way too expensive for my pocketbook.

[Steve K (IA)]

I'm like Farther, once a year which is right at 5000 or less.  Rotella T6

[Red Diamond]

Oil is like those petcocks, DS tires, hydro-locks, I'm just a little skimmy about it. Like good clean oil, cause I think it serves its purpose. Been using the syn's for many years, was introduce to it by a '77 Olds 88 I purchased, it ran forever, got me hooked. Course, M1 was first, you know how it is when your first one is "good".

[Mildew]

I've noticed my valk uses a tad of oil when it reaches around 5k. Instead of adding a smidgion,  I add new t6 rotella with a new supertech 7317. It's probably overkill but id rather do changes too many times than not enough. I know my car motor is known as  the sludge monster and I change the oil every 3 to 5k in it and never had a problem with sludge.  I've never heard of sludge in a valk motor but most riders use synthetic oil and that's supposed to be a very good cure for the sludge problem in car motors.

[Gideon]

I change every 5000 or once a year. I previously used Spectro's 10-40 synthetic blend in my Suzuki for 20 years, with good results. I just changed to Rotella T5 10-40 synthetic blend. This is my first experience with this oil. However I'm pleased so far.
Bob D.

[Ferris Leets]

Don't know about the rest but it takes about 3k before I can see the oil on the dip stick.  The book recommends a 7k change?   

[Tropic traveler]

CA, I recycle the oil, I have the money to waste, & I like working on my Valk.
Plus doing it my way makes me feel better. 

[B]

5k. Just changed from Honda Syn Blend to Fully Synyhetic Amsoil ... I was happy with the Honda Oil but read some performance info at extreme temps on Amsoil that got me curious.
PS- Usually a shot of Lucas Oil Trt in there at oil chg too.

[bill v e]

have over 170,000 on 00 interstate and for the last 100,000+ i've been changing the filter only between 2500 - 3000 miles, adding about 10 - 12 oz,  and then around 8000+ i'll chng oil and filter - use wally world (super tech?) synthetic 20/50 if i can find it - 10/40 otherwise

[98valk]

CA, I recycle the oil, I have the money to waste, & I like working on my Valk.
Plus doing it my way makes me feel better. 

+1   
 can u waste some money on me? 

[3fan4life]

I use Amsoil 10W40 Motorcycle oil.




I change it once a year which is about 10k miles for me.

5k. Just changed from Honda Syn Blend to Fully Synyhetic Amsoil ... I was happy with the Honda Oil but read some performance info at extreme temps on Amsoil that got me curious.
PS- Usually a shot of Lucas Oil Trt in there at oil chg too.

You don't need the oil treatment if you are running Amsoil.

One of the reasons that I like it so well is that their engineers evaluate all additives that are available and if it is something that will improve the product they use it.

[Mildew]

Amsol is probably best. I was reading somewhere where the metal findings were near zero with synthetic but I figured the valk is on its last leg. Not many 20 year old bikes out there on the road and no matter what oil we use, the motor would still outlast the bike. I wish they would make a newer model so I won't have to settle for less.

[Bill S]

I use either AMsoil 10W-40 or Shell Rotella synthetic. Change oil and filter (Super Tech) between 8,000 and 10,000 miles. She has 161,000 miles on it and the inside of the motor is as clean as a pin. Does not use any oil between changes. Been running synthetic since the first oil change when I bought her new.

[B]

Amsol is probably best. I was reading somewhere where the metal findings were near zero with synthetic but I figured the valk is on its last leg. Not many 20 year old bikes out there on the road and no matter what oil we use, the motor would still outlast the bike. I wish they would make a newer model so I won't have to settle for less.

There are several mid-80s goldwing 1200s still making cross-country treks. I'm hopin there's several years left in that Valk. 

[BradValk48237]

I sold my 1985 Wing with 99,978 on it to upgrade to the Valk 3 years ago..... Its still going, but the new owner hasnt got the hang of polish (or a wash bucket)

I used 20w50 Valvoline , changed every 2500-3000 on it... changed the filter every other....

Same with the Valk...Plan on having it for quite a while...... I had the Wing for 15 years so I dont mind looking at the same bike for a while!

B

[Oss]

somewhere between 5-8000 miles change with rotella syn and the pure one filter i get from amazon.com

Its a bit larger so the whole gallon goes in

Oil always looks new when it comes out.  Doesnt burn a drop of oil

If I ever do change the oil in the mower I could use it in there,

Ever check the drain plug for metal shavings? mine is always clean

[Hoser]

Mobil1 15-50 5-6-k, usually 3-4 times a year.  Zero clutch problems.  I use the old oil in my lawn tractor and mower,generator, etc. no problems there either. Just turned 85k on the valk, just changed oil for the second time this year.  The extra capacity super tech filter will take care of the .1 quart overage.  Hoser     

[F6Mark]

I love the Spectro Gold, and change it a couple times a year- always looks like new, and never uses any oil- but I'm embarrassed to say that I have the 2000 Tourer and only a bit over 25K on the clock.  Changing the oil 2 times a year, for 11 years, with 2,300 miles on average between changes...  I like my job but it's interfering with the important stuff.

[The Anvil]

Something to note about oils and color; oil starts turning dark as soon as you run the engine because oil reacts to detergents and additives in gasoline, temperature, etc. I've seen some very dark oil come back from analysis (required in aviation) that passed with flying colors. Personally, I change the oil (and I use nothing but synthetic) once a season or every 7500 miles, whichever comes first. I did have a bike that I changed more frequently but it was a DRZ400SM and had a very limited capacity.

When changing the oil I pay little attention to the color but I do look at it with a light and I do use the finger-feel test. You can tell a lot more about oil by rubbing it betwixt your digits than you can by eyeballing it.

[fudgie]

Usually at 3000 or before we road trip west. Then again when we come home.

[Chrisj CMA]

anyone that changes oil more frequently then me is wasteful and should be reported and anyone that goes longer than I do is a Bike abuser!  

[2qmedic]

I use Rotella T synthetic and change at 5,000 miles. I use the pure 1 filter, but it's a good bit larger than the stock and takes the entire 4 qts.

Something to note about oils and color; oil starts turning dark as soon as you run the engine because oil reacts to detergents and additives in gasoline, temperature, etc. I've seen some very dark oil come back from analysis (required in aviation) that passed with flying colors. Personally, I change the oil (and I use nothing but synthetic) once a season or every 7500 miles, whichever comes first. I did have a bike that I changed more frequently but it was a DRZ400SM and had a very limited capacity.

When changing the oil I pay little attention to the color but I do look at it with a light and I do use the finger-feel test. You can tell a lot more about oil by rubbing it betwixt your digits than you can by eyeballing it.

Just courious, have you ever done the oil analysis on the Valk? I just change the oil at 5k because it's so easy to keep up with.  

[The Anvil]

Just courious, have you ever done the oil analysis on the Valk? I just change the oil at 5k because it's so easy to keep up with.  

I have not actually, never felt the need to, but I might just for the hell of it this fall.

Personally, I feel that whatever interval gives you peace of mind is the one you should use, assuming you're not the kind of person who's mental tranquility isn't disturbed by the prospect of 50k mile oil changes 

[CB1]

I change my oil and filter twice a year - Mobil 1 V-Twin and PureOne filter. November and May.

[CASABROKER]

A lot off wasted money going on here. 

[98valk]

oil analysis. 

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,19413.0.html

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,17708.0.html

[bigfeet]

5k on my 98 tourer with 10w 40 purple.