V85 oil analysis

[Craig in Alabama]

Hi Folks,

I have not been comfortable going 6,000 miles between oil changes on my V85 Travel with only 1.85 liters of oil in the sump. I've been changing the oil at about 3,000 miles (after the initial 900 mile oil change). I sent a sample of my third oil change to Blackstone Labs at about 7200 miles. The results are pretty good, except for slightly low viscosity. They agree that 6,000 mile oil changes might be too long and suggest I go to 5,000 miles. I am going to change this oil at 4,000 miles and get another sample done. Oil is cheap, but I don't want to waste good oil. I've been using Liqui Moly 10w-60. I've attached the report for anyone interested.
Cheers!
Craig

[chuck peterson]

My local dealer suggested 3k on the v7 small block oil charges too

[guzziart]

Yeah, 2 qts ain't much.  Will the v85 even go 6k without using any oil??!!   I figure if you have to top it off between changes you might as well just drop the oil and do the filter every other change or the like.  My old Honda CL350 has a 2 qt oil capacity.

Art

PS - oil analysis .....looking forward to future updates

[mondtster]

I've been changing the oil in my V85 at 5,000 miles since the break in was completed. With over 30,000 miles on it now it doesn't seem to be suffering from it but I haven't ever sent in an oil sample either. I suspect that Guzzi anticipated the loss of viscosity over time when they speced the 10w60 oil for them. I also think they did it since these engines run hotter than the older engines.

[egschade]

I change my engine oil every year on my V85 which for me works out to 3000-4000 miles. I'll do the transmission and gearbox every other change. Also using Liqui Molly 10w-60.

Once I retire and (hopefully) annual mileage goes up I'll do it every 4K. Like the Craig says, "Oil is cheap".

[michaell32]

I am not a fan of keeping detailed records of my oil changes anymore.  I change the oil every 5k in everything I own.  My california just got new oil at 45k so ill do it again at 50k.  The honda insight  is at 178k so at 180k it will get an oil change.  It's much easier to keep track using this method.

[kballowe]

Between cars and motorcycles and mowers and stuff - I have a spreadsheet clipped to one of those little magnet thingys and stuck to the side of the refrigerator.  It's the best place for it - because I see the refrigerator quite frequently.   
 

[Moparnut72]

I am not a fan of keeping detailed records of my oil changes anymore.  I change the oil every 5k in everything I own.  My california just got new oil at 45k so ill do it again at 50k.  The honda insight  is at 178k so at 180k it will get an oil change.  It's much easier to keep track using this method.

I do exactly the same. At least nothing is forgotten if nothing else.
kk

[mechanicsavant]

I remember hearing something about the Government concerned about how much oil a vehicle uses during its life . So to help keep certain folks less bitter about our filthy Infernal  combustion engines long oil change intervals were recommended . Followed by the paragraph “ if used for competition or extreme use cut intervals in half “ or something like that . That said I still don’t understand the short air filter & spark plug replacement interval !

[Moparnut72]

My Cummins Ram has a 16K recommended oil change interval. Instead I go by the dashboard alert which can be less depending on how much I have towed the RV. A fellow down the street has a semi tractor, he routinely sends his oil in for analysis. Even at 25K it comes back good with recommendations to run a bit longer. Diesels are expensive to maintain, an oil and filter change on my Ram is about $300, I do it myself. I had a dealership do it once while it was in for an alignment check and a recall, they charged me almost $700. I never darkened their doors again, that was until it changed ownership.
kk

[guzziart]

Between cars and motorcycles and mowers and stuff - I have a spreadsheet clipped to one of those little magnet thingys and stuck to the side of the refrigerator.  It's the best place for it - because I see the refrigerator quite frequently.   
 

   My spreadsheet is magneted on the side of my toolbox.  I should buy a fridge...makes sense to me.
Art

[bad Chad]

When was the last time you know of a Guzzi that had its engine wear out following OEM recommendations?
Guzzi has had 6250 mile motor oil changes since at least 2005.  Certainly, if it were inadequate we would have evidence over the past 18 years.

[mechanicsavant]

Well , there was that bunch of V7 motors that were assembled incorrectly !

[Kev m]

Well , there was that bunch of V7 motors that were assembled incorrectly !

No, they were assembled fine, but with faulty parts.

A batch of crankshafts were machined undersized, allowing too much play and eventual damage/destruction to the thrust bearing and block.

Nothing to do with oil per se.

[twowheeladdict]

I change the oil in my bikes based on maintenance schedules, look, feel, and smell.  Never longer than the recommended maintenance schedule though.