|
Engine Break-in Advice |
Post Reply 
|
| Author | |
Paultergeist 
Guzzino 
Joined: 31 Dec 2020 Location: Lemon Grove, CA Status: Offline Points: 3 |
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote Reply
 Topic: Engine Break-in AdvicePosted: 31 Dec 2020 at 03:05 |
|
Greetings,
I am about to take possession of a new V85 TT. I was wondering about engine break-in advice from those who are more experienced than myself. Any helpful input will be most appreciated. Thanks.
|
|
 |
|
|
Richard Hyatt
Senior Member 
Joined: 14 Oct 2019 Location: Dorset Status: Offline Points: 713 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 31 Dec 2020 at 06:30 |
|
Good morning to you
or is it afternoon in California? Any break in or running in on a new vehicle is designed to mechanically and metallurgically bed in all the bits gently to each other. Even the finest machine tools in a factory leave "rough" edges and surfaces and it is these that settle into each other during the running in process. So - let the bike run gently when accelerating - don't make it work hard at all - put a rpm ceiling on it not to exceed(somewhere in your break in instructions it may say "do not exceed X rpm for the 1st X miles) or something like that. Change up nice and smoothly and at the right rpm - thereby preventing the engine from "labouring" or working too hard in the wrong gear at the wrong road speed - let the engine spin freely and easily but not at an excessive rpm. Gradually - you can build up the road speed and the rpm as the miles clock up - and frankly (if you have a mechanical feel or ear) you will feel the bike settling down and running easier and easier. at the end of a period of miles (on my V7 111 it was 900 miles) you will have an oil change to get rid of any little bits inside the engine. with modern oils etc the break in can be quite an extended process due to their design not wanting friction/wear , so this running in will take not just the factory duration , but an ongoing process during your first few months of riding. I think my V7 111 is still settling after about 7000 miles. Riding at a steady speed up and down a motorway for 500/1000 miles will not break in a machine - you have to work every part gently at first then make it work harder and harder steadily until it is ready to be worked at any loading you may ask it. of course this break in is not just for the engine and gearbox and rear axle , it is for the whole machine - brake pads bedding into their new discs and forks sliding up and down and every single thing moving and working with its partner. Take the time to check things yourself as the miles grow - check the tightness of nuts and bolts and slowly , you will form an empathy with your machine - The attention now will pay dividends over the years. Hopefully it is warmer with you than here in the UK (minus 2C where I am) , so you can get out and enjoy given any COVID limitations of course. Enjoy your new machine.
|
|
|
|
|
Paultergeist
Guzzino
Joined: 31 Dec 2020 Location: Lemon Grove, CA Status: Offline Points: 3 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 02 Jan 2021 at 02:34 |
|
Hi Richard,
Thank you very much for the thoughtful and detailed reply. I confess that I went for a ~ 90-mile maiden voyage with the bike after it was delivered......and THEN I read the Owner's Manual (tiny print!). The manual specified not to rev the engine above 4500 RPM for the first 1500 km (~ 930 miles). While I did have a couple of overly-exuberant twists of the throttle during that first ride, I did not push it hard nor sustain any prolonged high revs -- hopefully the bike will forgive me for my ignorance. I am a big believer in an early oil change during break-in....maybe a magnetic oil train plug while I am at it. More questions to follow, I am sure. Thanks again for the great insights. Cheers.
|
|
|
|
|
Richard Hyatt
Senior Member
Joined: 14 Oct 2019 Location: Dorset Status: Offline Points: 713 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 02 Jan 2021 at 07:43 |
|
Hi,
You've embarked upon a long and happy relationship. I seem to get about 75 or 80 uk miles to UK gallons when I'm on a journey and can easily over 180 miles before refilling. Around 4000 rpm or 500 either side is a very comfy speed for me (70 odd) and I've covered many miles like this , with a reassuring growl from the exhaust. I have a Hepco Becker engine bars, centre stand, rear rack and pannier frames and side panniers. All purchased and fitted by myself after bike purchase. I can send pics , but pm me if you wish me to as all these attachments can go on 1 email. Enjoy
Edited by Richard Hyatt - 02 Jan 2021 at 08:00 |
|
|
|
|
jmee54
Senior Member
Joined: 28 Nov 2014 Location: Cornwall Status: Offline Points: 750 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 02 Jan 2021 at 16:57 |
|
The V85 ought to have the warning lights set to 4500 rpm until it's first service, when they are reset. |
|
|
|
|
Samz101
Falcone 
Joined: 02 Feb 2020 Location: York uk Status: Offline Points: 24 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 02 Jan 2021 at 23:23 |
|
Q
That’s one hell of a MPG! At that rate you should see well over 350 miles between fill ups.
 |
|
|
|
|
Hippo-Drones
Senior Member
Joined: 07 Nov 2020 Location: Sussex Status: Offline Points: 151 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 03 Jan 2021 at 01:00 |
I worked out I could get almost 400 miles from a tank if I rode the bike how I was at the start of the run in procedure! :-)
|
|
|
This is me: www.youtube.com/c/HippoDrones
|
|
|
|
|
Mike H
Senior Member
Joined: 21 May 2014 Location: East Anglia Status: Offline Points: 7521 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 03 Jan 2021 at 19:32 |
|
It's mostly about bedding the piston rings in the bores – you can also get it wrong by being too gentle with it ... Conclusion, just ride normally, but not go raving mad. On the other hand do not make it labour at low rpm (aka, "lugging"). And, stop frequently to let it cool down. |
|
|
"Chicken nuggets don't dance on a Tuesday."
|
|
|
|
|
red leader one
Senior Member
Joined: 07 Oct 2014 Location: Cullercoats Status: Offline Points: 4071 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 03 Jan 2021 at 21:12 |
|
When it's really warmed up give it a little burst or two to ensure the pistons go to the top of the bores. When I was told that I was really bricking it.
|
|
|
|
|
ItieNut
Senior Member
Joined: 26 Dec 2019 Location: essex Status: Offline Points: 103 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 21:10 |
|
When it's really warmed up give it a little burst or two to ensure the pistons go to the top of the bores. Never understood that as the piston will always go to the top of the bore I have never run an engine in gently but never ragged it nither during run in. Just don't rev the nuts off it and it will be fine. I was told once too early an oil change is a no no in a newer engine as they don't use Dino oil anymore. You will slow down the running in period.
|
|
|
|
|
Mike H
Senior Member
Joined: 21 May 2014 Location: East Anglia Status: Offline Points: 7521 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 21:19 |
|
Yes the new synthetic oils are "too good", to quote my Ural dealer. So it was run in on semi. The pistons to the top of the bores thing, I can only imagine the tiny bit extra (and it will be tiny) is due to conrod stretch. They can stretch like springs but you'd have to be really ragging it.  |
|
|
"Chicken nuggets don't dance on a Tuesday."
|
|
|
|
|
Brian UK
Moderator Group 
Joined: 13 May 2014 Location: Surrey Status: Offline Points: 14351 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 04 Jan 2021 at 22:24 |
|
I think that's a theoretical rather than practical supposition.
|
|
|
Brian.
Better 5 minutes late in this world than years early in the next. |
|
|
|
|
Mike H
Senior Member
Joined: 21 May 2014 Location: East Anglia Status: Offline Points: 7521 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 05 Jan 2021 at 23:00 |
|
Could be! Never worried me |
|
|
"Chicken nuggets don't dance on a Tuesday."
|
|
|
|
|
Post Reply
|
|
Tweet
|
| Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |
Topic Options
Richard Hyatt wrote: