Regular maintenance

DF313
Posts
563
Joined
6/17/2016
Location
Ogden, UT US
Fantasy
2408th
3/19/2018 10:28am Edited Date/Time 3/19/2018 12:18pm
Looking at the service manual for my 06 CRF450 I came across this. I can't recall ever checking what the manufacturers recommend with maintenance, I have always just gone with the standard, change the oil and filter every couple rides, make sure your air filter is clean, grease your bearings every once in a while, etc.... But this states oil/filter changes every 15 hours? Am I changing my oil way too much? Also, a new piston every 15 hours? new chain every 7.5 hours? How closely should one follow this, on the one hand, if i can safely change my oil less that would be nice. On the other, id rather not tear open the top end every year.



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kb228
Posts
6161
Joined
1/31/2018
Location
Mansfield, OH US
3/19/2018 10:56am
General consensus is 15 hours on a piston is too low. Personally i dont trust cast pistons. I wouldnt run them more than 15-20 and if i buy a used bike i immediately replace them with a wiseco one and run it for 40 or so. I do pistons once maybe twice a year with a 3 hour ride day 3 times a month & riding season only lasting 6 months here in ohio...

I do oil changes every 3 rides. I only use maxima full synthetic.

Chain/sprockets get replaced when they need it. Adjustment is checked after every ride
captmoto
Posts
5122
Joined
4/22/2009
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA US
3/19/2018 12:17pm
I think the recommendations are for a full on race bike. Remember, they don't have slow guys, vets or pro practice riders torture testing these bikes and they do torture test. They do full tear downs and measure every last component to check for wear.
It doesn't really matter how many "rides" you put in because everyone is different. If I rode desert all the time I would probably change every ride as I would likely have 6-8 hours after a weekend of riding. When I moto, I rarely put 2 hours on my bike. I also don't peg the rev limiter or hammer my clutch.
Do you have an hour meter on your bike? I have a 17 FC450 and the manual calls for an oil and filter change at 10 hours, piston and rings at 50 and major rebuild at 100 hours.
I changed my oil at 3 hours after break in and then at 10, 15 and am due now at 21 hours. I was out for 3 months or I would have easily double the hours I have now.
An engine oil analysis would be a good indicator of engine health and quality of oil and would let you know long you could run on an oil change.

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