Hitchcocks Forum

Gents,

I have now clock d up 200 miles on my 1947 model G which has been restored and rebuilt.
I have been taking it up to 30-35 mph with gentle throttle openings , a couple of things would it be best to change oil and filter at 500 miles and at what point shall I start. Pushing the bike a bit faster for short bursts?

Reds

Hi Reds,
30-35mph is nothing to this machine. I would be giving it the odd burst of 50+ mph by now, not for long - just let the speedo hit 50 / 52 mph, then back off to 40 / 45. Don't let it labour or slog, use the gears and let it rev a little under light loads, especially on hills. Throttle on and off frequently, if other traffic permits. Try and avoid bursts of full throttle until after 500 miles or more and yes, an oil change at 500 miles would be a good idea. Regards, Paul.

Wot Paul said, yes. Imo it can be unwise to be too gentle running in, the engine does after-all have to bed in and that needs some work put into it. Some motors given an ever-so gentle running in can suffer from vibration afterwards. After the initial bit you should be opening it up, not thrashing it but feeling how the motor is loosening up. I might be inclined to do an oil change early, say 300 miles, as a diagnostic to see if there is any swarf in it; you cannot actually change oil too often. Whether you change the filter depends on what you find in the oil.

It really depends on what engine work has been done, rebore piston?, Big end?, Main bearings?. Oil change definitely, also as Paul says don't be too gentle.

With any new or rebuilt engine I change oil at 100 miles or 5 hours. Overkill? Possibly but it can't do any harm.