High mileage and oil consumption

[Jurlie_imp]

Hi folks,

My '13 has 59.5k miles on its clock, and the last couple of oil changes I noticed that oil level before the change is on the minimum mark (the last time even slightly below than that) besides I always fill it up to the upper mark. To be precise, after filling the new oil I let the bike heat up, then cool down for 5 min, check the oil level (usually it's slightly less than upper mark), and add up to the upper mark again.

So, my question is: does the engine start to wear out and this means something will have to be done some time soon (like piston rings, valve oil seals)?

What is the oil consumption do you guys have at the bikes with higher mileage?

I use Honda GN4 10w40 oil, if that matters.

[GoldOxide_imp]

I recall the CB1100 [maybe] burning a wee bit of oil, but nothing unusual for ownership of inline-4s of the past. I was never concerned for the '14 CB1100.

As with all my past inline-4s, the oil would darken quickly. This is not the case for twins (except the '76 Yamaha RD400 two-smoker) and singles I have had.

[Jurlie_imp]

I recall the CB1100 [maybe] burning a wee bit of oil, but nothing unusual for ownership of inline-4s of the past. I was never concerned for the '14 CB1100.

As with all my past inline-4s, the oil would darken quickly. This is not the case for twins (except the '76 Yamaha RD400 two-smoker) and singles I have had.

I would think so, as well, but the thing is it was never consuming a drop when it was newer (say 30-40k miles).
Anyway, I agree, before I have to add 500 ml to make it to the next oil change, there's no major concern, perhaps.

[j3gq_imp]

@Jurlie, a couple of points:
- it is one of those subjects, where you get 13 opinions, when asking 12 owners,
- technically, an air-cooled engine usually does (but does not need to) burn more oil than a water-cooled one,
- oil burn is not necessarily steady, or going up steadily with age,
- but most important - and regardless of advice from self proclaimed experts - even high oil burn rates for a long time should not make you worry - unless there is other signs of damage (sparks, etc.). The risk of taking the engine apart, and have it develop other problems afterwards, is just not justified by "high oil burn".

Now tell me
- in which temperature (extremes) do you typically operate ?
- lots of inner city riding, or steady 50mph on country roads ?
- did you recently change oil because it's been 1y from the last change, or because of miles you rode ?

To give you a house-number, I'd say even that if my Honda burned 1 quart every 50 hours of operation, I would not become concerned. After all it's not an aircraft, where an engine failure causes a forced landing or a ditch.

[SportsterDoc]

Using 1/2 quart between changes, you may want to consider 10W50, such as Castrol Power 1 RS.
Riding in the east bay area, 20W50 (easier to find) would work.
BTW 10W40 is only rated for up to 104F

I am currently using 10W50 in my Yamaha Bolt, but having difficulty getting 2 more quarts from O'Relllys for next oil change. After that, I plan to run 20W50, since, unlike Ferret, I am not likley to start a ride below 50F.

https://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread...#pid270064

[Tev62]

I recall the CB1100 [maybe] burning a wee bit of oil, but nothing unusual for ownership of inline-4s of the past. I was never concerned for the '14 CB1100.

As with all my past inline-4s, the oil would darken quickly. This is not the case for twins (except the '76 Yamaha RD400 two-smoker) and singles I have had.

That is no surprise on the CB1100 given that 1 litre of oil gets left behind with every oil change.

[GoldOxide_imp]

I recall the CB1100 [maybe] burning a wee bit of oil, but nothing unusual for ownership of inline-4s of the past. I was never concerned for the '14 CB1100.

As with all my past inline-4s, the oil would darken quickly. This is not the case for twins (except the '76 Yamaha RD400 two-smoker) and singles I have had.

That is no surprise on the CB1100 given that 1 litre of oil gets left behind with every oil change.

That is no surprise on the CB1100 given that 1 litre of oil gets left behind with every oil change.

[Jurlie_imp]

@Jurlie, a couple of points:
- it is one of those subjects, where you get 13 opinions, when asking 12 owners,
- technically, an air-cooled engine usually does (but does not need to) burn more oil than a water-cooled one,
- oil burn is not necessarily steady, or going up steadily with age,
- but most important - and regardless of advice from self proclaimed experts - even high oil burn rates for a long time should not make you worry - unless there is other signs of damage (sparks, etc.). The risk of taking the engine apart, and have it develop other problems afterwards, is just not justified by "high oil burn".

Now tell me
- in which temperature (extremes) do you typically operate ?
- lots of inner city riding, or steady 50mph on country roads ?
- did you recently change oil because it's been 1y from the last change, or because of miles you rode ?

To give you a house-number, I'd say even that if my Honda burned 1 quart every 50 hours of operation, I would not become concerned. After all it's not an aircraft, where an engine failure causes a forced landing or a ditch.

Thanks, those are valid points.
Here the answers:
1. 10C (50F) to 44C (110F) is usual range of operation, as I’m in California.
2. Mostly energetic interstates and country road riding, 4-8k rpm
3. Miles.

I have no problem to add half a quart to a quart oil in the engine occasionally. The bigger problem would be if I needed to check the oil before every bigger day ride (say 300+/- miles) or during the multiday trip where could be 300-800 miles a day. The latter would be especially annoying, as I’d have to take in account places to get oil in addition to gas.

[SportsterDoc]

@Jurlie, a couple of points:
- it is one of those subjects, where you get 13 opinions, when asking 12 owners,
- technically, an air-cooled engine usually does (but does not need to) burn more oil than a water-cooled one,
- oil burn is not necessarily steady, or going up steadily with age,
- but most important - and regardless of advice from self proclaimed experts - even high oil burn rates for a long time should not make you worry - unless there is other signs of damage (sparks, etc.). The risk of taking the engine apart, and have it develop other problems afterwards, is just not justified by "high oil burn".

Now tell me
- in which temperature (extremes) do you typically operate ?
- lots of inner city riding, or steady 50mph on country roads ?
- did you recently change oil because it's been 1y from the last change, or because of miles you rode ?

To give you a house-number, I'd say even that if my Honda burned 1 quart every 50 hours of operation, I would not become concerned. After all it's not an aircraft, where an engine failure causes a forced landing or a ditch.

Thanks, those are valid points.
Here the answers:
1. 10C (50F) to 44C (110F) is usual range of operation, as I’m in California.
2. Mostly energetic interstates and country road riding, 4-8k rpm
3. Miles.

I have no problem to add half a quart to a quart oil in the engine occasionally. The bigger problem would be if I needed to check the oil before every bigger day ride (say 300+/- miles) or during the multiday trip where could be 300-800 miles a day. The latter would be especially annoying, as I’d have to take in account places to get oil in addition to gas.

That is the ideal range for 20W50.
104F is beyond the maximum range for 10W40.
50F is generally considered the minimum range for 20W50
If riding colder, then 10W50.

[Jurlie_imp]

Using 1/2 quart between changes, you may want to consider 10W50, such as Castrol Power 1 RS.
Riding in the east bay area, 20W50 (easier to find) would work.
BTW 10W40 is only rated for up to 104F

I am currently using 10W50 in my Yamaha Bolt, but having difficulty getting 2 more quarts from O'Relllys for next oil change. After that, I plan to run 20W50, since, unlike Ferret, I am not likley to start a ride below 50F.

https://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread...#pid270064

From what you say I conclude it’s better not to operate the bike with 10w50 or 20w50 if it gets colder than 50F (it’s not uncommon in the early morning in the East Bay in colder season), right?

Upd. I see, thanks.