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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> How critical is proper break-in?
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Message started by JED on 01/18/21 at 06:47:22

Title: How critical is proper break-in?
Post by JED on 01/18/21 at 06:47:22

I’m shopping for used a savage and my biggest concern is if the seller did the recommended break-in procedure. You just never know if a stranger is being honest.

Is this something I should concern myself with?

Thanks.

Title: Re: How critical is proper break-in?
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 01/18/21 at 06:54:29

Proper break-in is important. Worrying about how someone broke-in their bike is a complete waste of time. There's no way to know. Judge the bike by its condition. If it has been properly maintained and shows signs of being a loved machine, chances are it was broken-in properly. If its an unloved lump....

Title: Re: How critical is proper break-in?
Post by Matchless G11 on 01/18/21 at 07:12:46

Look for a trail of receipts. Did the guy get service at recommended mile intervals. Does he frequently check the oil level ?
Does he use the right oil?
Just being there. Have the guy start it cold. Is he a "red liner" thus seeks to float the valves on start up? if so don't walk away... Run!

Title: Re: How critical is proper break-in?
Post by JED on 01/18/21 at 07:33:46

Thanks Gary and Matchless! Matchless what is the proper oil?

Title: Re: How critical is proper break-in?
Post by LANCER on 01/18/21 at 10:47:41

Shell RotellaT4 or T6
It’s a Diesel engine oil with a proper amount of ZZDP in it which protects our 60’s vintage (Engineering wise) engine.

T4 is a Dino oil while T6 is synthetic. $ vs $$$
1 gal of T4 costs about $15 in my neighborhood, T6 is much more.

Title: Re: How critical is proper break-in?
Post by ckahleer on 01/18/21 at 11:38:46

0F031111070C100556620 wrote:

Thanks Gary and Matchless! Matchless what is the proper oil?

Asking what is the proper oil to use is allot like asking what is the best way to break in an engine. Some say follow the manufacture's recommendations, Some say break it in the way your going to ride it. Others say beat it hard.
I say rev it up to the max RPM the manufacture recommends during break in. Then close the throttle and engine brake. Repeat often during break in.

Title: Re: How critical is proper break-in?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/18/21 at 12:15:41

Then close the throttle and engine brake. Repeat often during break in.
Back to top

That uses engine vacuum to seat rings to the cylinder.

Title: Re: How critical is proper break-in?
Post by SpamyToo on 01/18/21 at 18:35:14

Im sure its somewhat important. But I just have to say that after several rebuilds I have gone ripping right out garage and it didnt seem to make any difference.

Now if your redlining, short shifting and neglecting the oil in your motor whether its new or used is going to stress some parts.

But it seems like after the first 10 min of the bike running the impact is not super big.

Granted this is a lot of 2 stroke and 4 stroke dirt bikes Im talking about. And I would rebuild them at least once a year.

But Ive heard other guys express the same.

Im not saying its good practice, but most failures you see on this website is from people just plain putting the motor together wrong.

Title: Re: How critical is proper break-in?
Post by Eegore on 01/26/21 at 12:34:41

"Im not saying its good practice, but most failures you see on this website is from people just plain putting the motor together wrong."

I agree with this.

I'm only 3 motors in on my bikes and never once attempted a proper break in just to see what happens. They run fine.

Title: Re: How critical is proper break-in?
Post by Dave on 01/26/21 at 14:15:50

I am fussy.........I try to be a bit easy on my engines until they have a significant amount of time on them.

I think the bottom end is broken in quickly, as they are all roller or ball bearings. The cam and rockers likely break in quickly as well - I suspect those are all ready to go to hard in 100 miles or less.

The cylinder and rings take the longest - I try to behave for 500 miles and not go to high rpm or a lot of throttle for extended periods. I also avoid staying at any particular rpm for long periods - the hilly/curvy rural roads here are perfect......lots of 30-50 mph riding!

Title: Re: How critical is proper break-in?
Post by Zepp on 02/02/21 at 14:35:41

38342626303B273261550 wrote:

What ever, I bout a 20 yer old Savage it took tre times for me to start it!
And then I drive to my home, topt up some new gas to be sure.
It was in springtime, my old MC clothings was not that good.. in anyway I manage to drive my bike frome the storage to my garage!

Soo, a new helmet new boots att first, new glows and a new jaket, the old leader trouser seems to work whit breaces!

Next thing.. new tires and tubes, new oil and oil filter!

And to the break-in.. lucky that your seller told this.. IE I think its becuse your bike have been standing some time?
In any case.. let the oil circulate, make sure its new, and the oil filter, brake in tyres if they are hard, or rather by new ones, and the tubes to!
Brake in brakes, is there any rust, try it out, this is moste importante for the rear brake! And then, the fronbrake is more importante, check the fluid, drain the whole thing and put in brand new braking fluid, to play safe!

Title: Re: How critical is proper break-in?
Post by norm92de on 02/02/21 at 16:22:59

One thing I have learned over many years is that engines are expensive. Oil is not even on the list of things to cut corners on.

I have never had an engine failure on a motorcycle.

Aircraft engines? Yes, but they are not comparable. Even then there is usually a reason.

Title: Re: How critical is proper break-in?
Post by LANCER on 02/03/21 at 10:29:46

You are right Norm.
There is always a reason, it just depends on whether we can find it, then we can say THIS is the reason.