Whats best?

[ed4554]

Due to a ruptured achilles tendon my leg is in plaster for the next 12 weeks. Should I drain the engine oil and replace with fresh? Or once a week run engine up to temperature? Bearing in mind the 12000 mile service is due but I am unable to get it to the dealers?

ED

 

[Timolgra]

Just leave it

But you won't be able to resist the temptation

 

[Lou Can]

Just had some mains/big end bearings replaced on a bike and the guy at the (respected) engineering shop pointed at the the wear on the bearing races and said that it was because the bike had been stood and that water had condensed into the bearings such that premature wear sets in on starting.

He was adamant you should start the bike and run it fuly up to temperature at least every couple of weeks during lay up to avoid either short term or long term problems.

Apparently the worst case is just nipping into the garage and firing it up for a couple of minutes - start up damage is done and then the metal doesn't get warm enough to evaporate the water so it just condenses back down waiting for the next time.

If I hadn't got the evidence in front of me I would have thought he was making it up, but those races were well on their way to being indexed - all apparently due to acclerated wear around initial minor rust pitting.

If you want the advice first hand, its from SEP in Kegworth (http://www.sep-kegworth.co.uk/index.htm)

YMMV

LC

 

[Steptoe]

because the bike had been stood and that water had condensed into the bearings such that premature wear sets in on starting.


LC

If the bike is in a dry enviroment, water doesn't just appear.

I'd leave the bike, 12 weeks not so long. if you start it, and let the engine get up to temperature, the gearbox will get condensation inside, and the engine will be over fueling for most of the warm up, which isn't good

 

[Wizard]

Plus, at idle revs the oil pressure won't get fully up and extra wear will occur.



* Waits for someone to say the 1200 has a 12V oil pump *

 

[shuck raider]

Don't run a boxer on its stand. It will burst into flames and burn yer garage down. RTFM

 

[ed4554]

Don't run a boxer on its stand. It will burst into flames and burn yer garage down. RTFM

Thanks for the advice men. But bust into flames while on the stand?? Is that why my arse gets hot at traffic lights?

ED

 

[shuck raider]

Thanks for the advice men. But bust into flames while on the stand?? Is that why my arse gets hot at traffic lights?

ED

There was a thread on Adv Rider a while back posted by some guy who fired up his brand new GS, left it idling on the drive 'to warm up' and went into his house to get kitted up. Came out 10 mins later and the thing was burned to a crisp. He posted pix over there, not a pretty sight. Claimed off BWM who said 'tough sh*t, it says in the Manual don't idle it on the stand'.