Posts: 4,530
Threads: 242
Likes Received: 997 in 417 posts
Likes Given: 798
Joined: Apr 2025
I drained what I thought was all of the oil out of my Bonneville before ordering valve shims and seals and heading off for a trip. It was warm when I let it drain, about 30 minutes after running, and it had stopped dripping after quite some time.
I hand-tightened the drain plug just so I wouldn't misplace it, figuring nothing more would come out, but put a towel under the bike in case it dripped. When I came back home, the towel was soaked, and there was a rivulet of oil that had extended down past the bike. Quite a bit more had come out. I think I'll pull the plug when it's warm, but let it drain overnight from now on.
Posts: 3,881
Threads: 115
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Apr 2013
I think that this is the reason engines get "over filled" , not all the old oil had drained out.
Posts: 12,677
Threads: 77
Likes Received: 3 in 3 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Dec 2014
Give the engine a tinkle to tease the rest out.
- - -
Really, I just walk away from the drip and return at some random later time and refill. Never been a known issue.
Under normal use, a 100 mL of old oil will not do harm for an engine like this - it is not surgical equipment or anything of the like.
Posts: 7,013
Threads: 94
Likes Received: 486 in 267 posts
Likes Given: 888
Joined: Apr 2025
^^ +1, exactly... a drop of oil or two, will always stay there, not elsewhere
Posts: 12,677
Threads: 77
Likes Received: 3 in 3 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Dec 2014
(09-12-2019, 11:41 AM)peterbaron_imp Wrote: ^^ +1, exactly... a drop of oil or two, will always stay there, not elsewhere
I think I see an "echo" in your comment.
Posts: 770
Threads: 16
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Jan 2019
You actually WANT a tiny drop of oil to remain within the engine, to aid lubrication immediately after an oil change, when the full amount of oil hasn't yet circulated.
Posts: 23,432
Threads: 697
Likes Received: 512 in 234 posts
Likes Given: 676
Joined: Apr 2025
lol motorcyclists have the ability to take something so simple and make it so complicated
Posts: 4,530
Threads: 242
Likes Received: 997 in 417 posts
Likes Given: 798
Joined: Apr 2025
By the way, what kind of oil should I be using?
Posts: 1,214
Threads: 71
Likes Received: 113 in 31 posts
Likes Given: 16
Joined: Apr 2025
What you concern yourself with, gets big.
Posts: 3,881
Threads: 115
Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts
Likes Given: 0
Joined: Apr 2013
(09-13-2019, 01:41 AM)Gone in 60_imp Wrote: By the way, what kind of oil should I be using?
Organic , gluten free oil .
I probably opened a can of worms ( I mean oil ) but it was a good article in a VERY good magazine .
