old oil - low miles, but sat in the bike for 18mo. HELP OMG WHATDOIDO

[the schwartz]

do i need to change it?
do i *need* to change it?
will the bike explode if i don't? how quickly? at what speed (78mph) or RPM will it spontaneously combust?


ok, stupidity aside (just for a minute i promise), here is the history:
I changed the oil at 25,000 miles.
I rode the bike for 300 miles.
I pulled the carbs for some largely unfathomable reason.
I let the bike site for 18 months.
I put the carbs back on yesterday and I'm about to try starting it.

Should I change the oil because it's "old" or is it fine because it's not been used?
and yes i know it's just an oil change. i'm lazy, cheap, and lazy. but i do want to take care of my baby. thanks for any and all opinions, snark welcome


1982 GS1100E
Shell Rotella T6 magic fluid of delicious

[the schwartz]

@dorkburger how do i tag someone
@ dorkburger

[bccap]

When I resurrected my 750 the oil was 25 years old.... Gas, carbs, and tires, took precedent til I got around to it...... I wouldn't worry about the 18 months and just pay attention to the miles on it.......Just give it a sniff to make sure the petcock hasn't failed during the 18 month nap......

[eil]

18 months is no big deal at all, mileage is much more important. Oil doesn't really "go bad" just from sitting like gas does. I mean at some point it probably breaks down but we're talking many years if not decades. I would totally run that oil all of this season if not the next as well. Especially since it's synthetic.

[the schwartz]

thanks folks.

i drained the tank and put in fresh gas + seafoam. gonna go give it a rip, wish me luck =D

[scratch]

If it was your first date in 18 months would you change into clean boxers?
My only trepedation about not just running with it is: that there is still moisture in there, filthy relentles moisture creeping and doing all it's evil, eating away at everything it can... nasty nasty moisture... banish it!
Diesel oil is cheap, and an oil change only take a few mins... then again, people say I am OCD so, take that in stride.

[the schwartz]

New topic: where do I order float bowl drain plug washers

[the schwartz]

btw I love that this implies I've been wearing the same pair of boxers for 18 months

[salty_monk]

Yeah if no gas in it then go for it... the only other thing to check is it's not full of water built up from condensation (depending on where you live & store it).

If it were me & that checked out - I'd get it going, run it for a few miles at all rev ranges & then change it pretty quick. You may find that there is some rust inside the engine that will come off quick if you had the carbs off in storage.

[Roger P.]

Yeah if no gas in it then go for it... the only other thing to check is it's not full of water built up from condensation (depending on where you live & store it).

If it were me & that checked out - I'd get it going, run it for a few miles at all rev ranges & then change it pretty quick. You may find that there is some rust inside the engine that will come off quick if you had the carbs off in storage.

I bought a 900 Seca in 2001 that had sat since 1987. I pushed it home 6 miles with a half deflated front tire and dragging brakes. I pushed it up my parking garage at my apartment building, then rode the ramps down and dropped the clutch to unstick the motor. Once I got the carbs cleaned, I put them back on and rode the *@%^$*@%^$*@%^$*@%^$ out of the bike for a week or so, including some ill advised top speed runs on 14 year old tires. The I changed the oil. It came out like hot chocolate. I spooned on some 1989 vintage Pirellis that I got with the bike and rode it heedlessly for the next 2 years.

[scratch]

...pushed it home 6 miles with a half deflated front tire and dragging brakes. I pushed it up my parking garage at my apartment building, then rode the ramps down and dropped the clutch to unstick the motor.

I love this. You automaticaly collect a bucket of badass beard points for this.

[the schwartz]

Fresh undies0612191222.jpg

[BigD_83]

I bought a 900 Seca in 2001 that had sat since 1987. I pushed it home 6 miles with a half deflated front tire and dragging brakes. I pushed it up my parking garage at my apartment building, then rode the ramps down and dropped the clutch to unstick the motor. Once I got the carbs cleaned, I put them back on and rode the *@%^$*@%^$*@%^$*@%^$ out of the bike for a week or so, including some ill advised top speed runs on 14 year old tires. The I changed the oil. It came out like hot chocolate. I spooned on some 1989 vintage Pirellis that I got with the bike and rode it heedlessly for the next 2 years.

not exactly a paragon of safety, but I believe the point is clear enough...and a funny story to boot.

[the schwartz]

That is a terrific story, thanks!

Obviously I did end up taking the 12 minutes needed to put fresh, unnecessary oil in the bike. Man was it clean coming out 😁

Thanks for bearing with me on my continuing journey of stupiding my way into motorcycle maintenance

[BigD_83]

That is a terrific story, thanks!

Obviously I did end up taking the 12 minutes needed to put fresh, unnecessary oil in the bike. Man was it clean coming out 

Thanks for bearing with me on my continuing journey of stupiding my way into motorcycle maintenance

You can save that oil for a flush if you end up with gasoline in your crankcase.