Oil Consumption Discussion

[ridgeman06]

Hi Guys,
I am the proud owner of a pristine 98 tourer. I have owned this wonderful bike for three and a half years now. This is my second Valkyrie. I started my Valk life back in 98 with a new standard.
I bought my tourer from a dealer in February 2007 and she had 9500 miles on her at the time. Whoever had it kept it very clean.
I now have 26000 miles on her and have not needed anything but routine maintenence since purchase, which I do myself.
But, she seems to be burning a bit of oil. There are no visible leaks anywhere. I will average 5000-6000 miles per riding season. I never beat on her, ever.
I have been using Shell Rotella T 5-40 synthetic oil, and I change it before storage at the end of the season so she sits in my warm cellar with clean oil in her belly.
What I do not know is how the previous owner treated her. But based on appearance, I would assume that he cared for the bike as I do.
I would estimate that I will have to add one quart of Rotella oil over the course of the riding season. When I check it every couple of weeks or so, it'll need a dash of oil according to the dipstick.
For example, I am about halfway through my extra quart now after about 2500 miles so far this year.
Can someone please tell me what if anything I can do? It isn't a big concern to me to have to add oil once in a while, but it seems kind of unusual based on the quality and reliability of our engines.
Also, my other concern with this issue is resale. I guess I am wondering if this would be an issue with another future owner. I know by posting this message that I am willing to be honest about any problems with my bike to other club members.
When the time comes, I would like to sell her through our club and get a better price than a dealer would give me. I know this bike will give someone a lot of riding pleasure for many miles.
I admit that I have been thinking about selling, but not because of this. I have had my eye on the Triumph Rocket Three Tourer for a while now. I would like to do something within the next two years, I hope.
I would love to hear some opinions from you guys.
Thanks for reading and take care, Eric

[Daniel Meyer]

I've never used a drop of oil in 140,000 miles.

Every 5000 I drain 4 quarts out, add 4 quarts back in, and ride it like I stole it.

You sure it's not leaking?

(or, are you overfilling?, check with bike level and stick not screwed in)

[Gryphon Rider]

I wonder if using 5W40 synthetic has something to do with it.  All synthetics flow more easily at low temperatures than an equivalent weight standard oil, and a 5W__ oil will get past rings and valve seals easier than 10W__ or 15W__ oils.  Unless you are riding regularly at sub-freezing temperatures, there is no reason to use a 5W__ oil.  I suggest switching to a minimum 10W40 oil at your next change and see if that makes a difference.  You could also do a compression test.

From the shop manual (page 3-9):
SAE 10W30 5°F to 88°F
SAE 10W40 5°F to >100°F
SAE 20W40 32°F to >100°F
SAE 20W50 32°F to >120°F

[Ricky-D]

Wow, this is some kind of record I think!

I agree with Gryphon in that the extremely light weight oil is the culprit here.

I myself use 20w-50.

The Valkyrie motor is not like the new car motors with such tight tolerances and which need light oil to affect good circulation.

Change to a heavier oil and your problem will disappear!

***

[BradValk48237]

Have used 20W 50 on all my hondas for 25+ years..... 900 custom, 85 wing and 00 Valk..... Never a problem and the wing didn't use oil even at 100,000.

B

[R J]

Quit checking it on the side stand.  It will always show low over there.

Hold the Phat lady upright and check the oil.  Should be fine checking it that way.
Put  the cap back on.

Now, keep your grubby little fingers off that damn oil fill knob, or the 710 cap as some blondes call it, till it is ready to be refilled on a change........

You can add all the oil ya want, and the old girl will throw it out past the rings in about 400 to 500 miles.

241,000 + change on mine and it does not use an oz of oil between 5,000 changes.  Yes, I use synthetic.

[Redline +]

I never beat on her, ever.

There's your problem...ride her hard...that's what they like.

Redline 

[F6Dave]

1/2 quart in 2500 miles (or 1 in 5000) is pretty minimal oil consumption.  I wouldn't be concerned at all.  You might try something heavier, like Mobil 1 15-50, and see if consumption decreases.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I run the same oil and have never used a drop in 81,000 miles. I change it every 5000 miles and ride it like I stole it with frequent trips into the upper revs. Is you shifter shaft seal leaking? Is it possible you are overfilling it?

[ridgeman06]

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the replies.
I have zero leakage of oil. I do not overfill it at oil changes, and I do not check it on the sidestand. I am well aware of what the book calls for. Based on many posts and recommandations here, I have been using the Rotella 5-40. I have wondered if this is the culprit. So, when I put her away for the winter, I'll switch back to the heavier weight oil and see if this will take care of it next season.
Again, thanks for the input, Eric

[FLAVALK]

I've used the same oil for many many moons and she does not use a drop. I agree with R.J....make sure you are checking it properly, upright and do not screw the cap in.

[Spirited-6]

WOW, I better check my oil. I must confess that I do not check because she has never used any between changes. I have had a couple of high speed runs lately, 80 plus for 100 miles, so maybe time to check. I use Rotella 5-40 also and have for 10 years. 

[ridgeman06]

Sure is different typing behind a keyboard instead of chatting around the picnic table. I didn't ask for an oil consumption poll, I asked about my specific concerns about my bike. One guy insists that I am checking the oil level on the sidestand, and another backs up what he said.
I KNOW HOW TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL!
I honestly had concerns about selling the bike outright someday. As I said, I don't think it is a big deal for me personally, because I know that she runs like a champ and is as reliable as the sunrise. But I was wondering if this could be an issue when I decide to sell, that's all.
I appreciate the advice about switching to heavier oil, maybe I won't wait till next season, maybe I'll do it sooner. Maybe, that's all it'll take.

By the way, anyone like to comment on the Rocket Three Tourer? I can't help thinking of the Valk when I look at the right side of the Rocket with those three chrome exhaust tubes coming out of the engine.
I guess I am drawn to these big beefy cruisers.
Thanks, and take care, Eric

[Jeff K]

Sure is different typing behind a keyboard instead of chatting around the picnic table. I didn't ask for an oil consumption poll, I asked about my specific concerns about my bike. One guy insists that I am checking the oil level on the sidestand, and another backs up what he said.
I KNOW HOW TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL!
I honestly had concerns about selling the bike outright someday. As I said, I don't think it is a big deal for me personally, because I know that she runs like a champ and is as reliable as the sunrise. But I was wondering if this could be an issue when I decide to sell, that's all.
I appreciate the advice about switching to heavier oil, maybe I won't wait till next season, maybe I'll do it sooner. Maybe, that's all it'll take.

By the way, anyone like to comment on the Rocket Three Tourer? I can't help thinking of the Valk when I look at the right side of the Rocket with those three chrome exhaust tubes coming out of the engine.
I guess I am drawn to these big beefy cruisers.
Thanks, and take care, Eric

Most threads turn into polls. Especially if its about tires or oil 

[JimC]

Mine does not use any oil between changes.
I will agree with the others that you should try 15-30 or 20-30, I had an older toyota that was using a quart of 5-30 every 500 to 600 miles, when I went to 20-30 it dropped to one quart in 1500 miles.
It is worth a try.
Jim

[Hoser]

I don't use 5 weight oil in anything, 10-30 is as low as I will go.  Use it in the wifes Lincoln, 145k miles no oil between changes.  10-40 in my f150, 167 K miles ditto,  Antique Mustang, 10-40 ditto, 15-50 mobile 1 in the valk, 74k miles, double ditto. And yes, if I were buying another valk, if it used oil, it would concern me.  Try the thicker oil.  Hoser

[Spirited-6]

Sure is different typing behind a keyboard instead of chatting around the picnic table. I didn't ask for an oil consumption poll, I asked about my specific concerns about my bike. One guy insists that I am checking the oil level on the sidestand, and another backs up what he said.
I KNOW HOW TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL!
I honestly had concerns about selling the bike outright someday. As I said, I don't think it is a big deal for me personally, because I know that she runs like a champ and is as reliable as the sunrise. But I was wondering if this could be an issue when I decide to sell, that's all.
I appreciate the advice about switching to heavier oil, maybe I won't wait till next season, maybe I'll do it sooner. Maybe, that's all it'll take.


Ridgeman06, did you get a little "testie" about the replys about OIL ?  I hope not, as all were trying the give the best advise they had at the moment.  
BTW, the small amount of oil you are useing will not effect re-sale of your Valk. IMOP
I just checked my oil, 2,200 miles, made about 1/10 of a Qt.  I don`t put in 3.9.  

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Sorry Eric, I should have read your post closer. I didn't see that you had no visible oil leaks. I only mentioned the shifter seal because I had to replace one a couple of years ago.

It could be some incompatibility between your particular valk and the 5w40 synthetic oil I guess. Your post made me curious about the accuracy of my own post. I've got two valks in the barn that just came back from a 5000 mile road trip. Both had fresh 5w40 and new walmart filters just before leaving. Both still have the same oil in them now. Both saw an 85 mile run at 85 -105mph on that trip, if they were gonna use oil they should have then. Neither of them have used a drop as far as I can see and I just came back in from checking it.

I agree that if it was my valk using a little oil I'd try 10-40 or even 20-50 full syn. oil. Mobil makes both for motorcycles and many of the auto parts stores around here sell it. No reason you couldn't mix them with each other if you felt so inclined either. As far as the 5w40 not being good enough for motorcycles in general as some here seem to be saying. Well, it hasn't worked that way for me although I probably wouldn't use it in an air cooled bike.

It might be worth looking at your plugs to see if one is getting slightly oil fouled, but for so little oil use an expensive repair wouldn't be justified in my opinion nor do I think that amount of oil use would have much effect on resale value.

As far as the Rocket, I don't see many other places a Valk rider could go. A Triumph mechanic told me they had quite a few problems with some of the early Rockets but the new ones are better. And for a naked cruiser with more usable horsepower and torque, the 109 or the Rocket are the only alternatives I know of. A Rocket Roadster outfitted for sport touring would be a sweet ride indeed.

Happy trails,
Frye

[Momz]

If you are using one quart every 5K, could it be that you are also running a CT?

A tech at the local dealer claims GoldWings with car tires use oil in a big way. I personally can't see the logic but he has a reputation for honesty.

What are you running?

[ridgeman06]

Good Morning people,
Yes, I did get a little testy. As I said, sitting behind a keyboard doesn't seem to convey ones real feelings or emotion about a certain subject. As usual with me, the more I think about something, the worse I feel and the problem seems to always get biggger.
Momz, I am running regular size Dunlop Elite three tires, not that I can possibly see what that has to do with anything.
I feel confident in the advice too switch to a heavier oil. I am going to put Mobil One 15-50 in her after my vacation, which by the way starts tomorrow. I am taking my wife and daughter to Las Vegas for a week.
Thanks for all the repiles, Eric

[Chrisj CMA]

Well ridgeman.....you go tme to check my oil.  I must admit I dont axactly follow the book as far as the procedure to check it.  I did for the first few oil changes but as others have said it never used a drop.  I did use that 5W40 from Rotella for awhile but my clutch was noisier with it, so I determined it was too thin.........I hope that is all your problem....oh, and I had already changed over to my easy oil check method when I tried the rotella so I dont know if I was using any with it.

My method goes like this....while cleaning the bike I note that there is no oil on the floor and none on the engine casing so I assume its all still inside......then every 6-7K miles I drain it all into a drain pan and kinda look at it, smell it and see that it goes to the same level in the drain pan that it always does....after 8 years, the pan kinda has a mark where the oil fills to.....if it looks good, smells good (the rosmella never did smell good) I put it in the big bucket for recycling and that is how I check oil

I just went over to the bike and did the dipstick method, sitting on the bike straight up not screwed in and the oil was right on the line like always.  Im 4K miles into this oil and 116,000 miles on the clock


I use Mobile1 10W40 and so far it is the first oil I can say has made the motor play nicer.  All the other oils I have tried seemed to make no difference until the Rotella had negatives..........not tryin to tell you what oil to use, just sayin what my experience was.....I would probably still be using Castrol Syntex 10W40 if our Wally world didnt stop carrying it.

[1fastbob]

For a great read on motor oil go to this link.  Be prepared as it is a very long and eye opening read.

http://www.focfloridaregion.com/edu/oil.htm