Forum
For Royal Enfield owners and enthusiasts
- Mon Sep 21, 2015 8:54 am
#51233
Jenks, there is good advice on here and there is some rubbish. The important thing to know is how long will the bike be idle? When I had open heart surgery at the end of 2013, I was told to wait for 3 months before riding. So if it is a couple of months, like me, then just fit a battery monitor, or a Cylon type gel battery. There will be no need to do much else although if you are worried about ethanol then drain the carb, and perhaps even the tank. Alternatively after draining the carb, fill the tank to the brim. Make sure the bike is on TDC to prevent or at least slow down any wet sumping. As for tyres etc don't worry about them as long as they are fully inflated. My Red Hunter was returned to the road last year after a 32 year lay up, and like it or not I did nothing to protect it except keep it in the garage. It started and ran OK, and still does. My Model 50 hasn't been used since last June bit I know that it will start first or second kick this afternoon. Do not confuse the fact that you will not be using the bike for a few months with "long term lay up". The two things are totally different. Oh yes and do not start the engine up every couple of weeks, particularly during the winter months, as this will simply cause condensation and "emulsion" in your oil. All you need to do is get somebody to turn the engine over by hand, or leg every month to allow the oil pump to push oil around but with no heat being generated. Remove the plug to make this easier. HTH and good luck with the op, keep us all posted on your progress.
- Mon Sep 21, 2015 9:17 am
#51234
I have been starting our motorcycles if they are not in use every week or two for several decades, I have never had the emulsion problem that other think that causes. I suspect there are other factors than regular starting that are causing some people an emulsion problem.
Because of all dire warnings on this forum about the issue, when my Electra X was serviced a few weeks ago, I requested all the drain plug been removed to check for any problems. There were none plus the oil was just bit darker than fresh with no emulsion or sludge present.
When I say I start the engines that is run them until they are fully up to temperature, so any moisture goes out the exhaust pipe.
Because of all dire warnings on this forum about the issue, when my Electra X was serviced a few weeks ago, I requested all the drain plug been removed to check for any problems. There were none plus the oil was just bit darker than fresh with no emulsion or sludge present.
When I say I start the engines that is run them until they are fully up to temperature, so any moisture goes out the exhaust pipe.
- Mon Sep 21, 2015 10:09 am
#51235
Emulsion (mayonnaise) is a common winter problem with Bullet engines - because they have a lot of metal to warm-up. It won't be found or seen on the drain plugs, because they are immersed in oil. It will be seen on the underside of the dip stick and on the crankcase surfaces that are not submerged in oil. The creamy substance is an emulsion of oil and water. Generally the water content is the result of condensation, forming on the cold inner crankcase surfaces. The circulating oil reacts with this moisture to produce this ‘mayonnaise’.
In a wet and cold atmosphere the engine is more likely to produce emulsion, which explains why the problem is more evident is wet and cold weather. Also certain makes and types of oil seem to produce more emulsion than other brands, due to their chemical composition.
The simplest way to reduce the quantity of emulsion is simply to ride the bike more often! Used regularly and for reasonable distances the emulsion will tend to disappear, as heat and ventilation dissipate the moisture content. This will also occur when the engine is run-up to working temperature in the garage. (But running up to working temperature in the garage isn’t such a good idea with an air cooled engine (and of coursed ‘water cooled’ engines are also air cooled!) Garaging the machine in a well-ventilated, warm environment may help reduce condensation and therefore the occurrence of emulsion.
However, in most cases emulsion is not a threat to the engine’s friction surfaces and need be no concern, unsightly and annoying as it is. In fact, the emulsion is evidence that the oil is functioning as intended for the protection of the engine. Emulsion is moisture in suspension, and is far less threat to the friction surfaces of the engine than the highly damaging effects of so-called ‘free water’.
In a wet and cold atmosphere the engine is more likely to produce emulsion, which explains why the problem is more evident is wet and cold weather. Also certain makes and types of oil seem to produce more emulsion than other brands, due to their chemical composition.
The simplest way to reduce the quantity of emulsion is simply to ride the bike more often! Used regularly and for reasonable distances the emulsion will tend to disappear, as heat and ventilation dissipate the moisture content. This will also occur when the engine is run-up to working temperature in the garage. (But running up to working temperature in the garage isn’t such a good idea with an air cooled engine (and of coursed ‘water cooled’ engines are also air cooled!) Garaging the machine in a well-ventilated, warm environment may help reduce condensation and therefore the occurrence of emulsion.
However, in most cases emulsion is not a threat to the engine’s friction surfaces and need be no concern, unsightly and annoying as it is. In fact, the emulsion is evidence that the oil is functioning as intended for the protection of the engine. Emulsion is moisture in suspension, and is far less threat to the friction surfaces of the engine than the highly damaging effects of so-called ‘free water’.
- Mon Sep 21, 2015 10:31 am
#51238
Presto the last time I saw any emulsion in an engine was in a clapped out Austin 1300 engine.
I also specify both engine oil and petrol treatments at oil changes.
I am well aware of what oil/water emulsion looks like and have walked away from buying cars/motorcycles that show any evidence of it.
I also specify both engine oil and petrol treatments at oil changes.
I am well aware of what oil/water emulsion looks like and have walked away from buying cars/motorcycles that show any evidence of it.
- Mon Sep 21, 2015 10:39 am
#51239
papasmurf I'm not trying to disagree with you. I'm simply making comments about emulsion. Some of us have seen it many times since we saw it in a clapped out Austin! The point is that emulsion isn't a problem. No need to worry about it. Its messy but does no damage. In fact there may be more to worry about if you don't find any! If there is moisture in the engine that is not held in suspension by the oil you will be in trouble. But papasmurf as you haven't got a problem with this you can ignore everything I've said, but it may be of help to others.
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