Top End Break In

[botzman]

Hey all,

Doing some reading on engine break in. This article seems to make sense BUT it obviously goes against the norm. I would appreciate others input. I'de like to push it a bit if its gonna get me better results. Heres the link:

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

Botz

[my04heritage]

Interesting reading! Not the first time I have heard that. Break them in like you are going to ride them is the non traditional method that some people use.

[Wrightturn]

Moly rings ? Chrome ? Mild steel ? Total seal ?

It makes a difference. How tight was the motor (end gap) set up ? It makes a difference in break in time. I don`t buy brutal break in. Materials and assembly have changed over the years but cylinder cross hatch has not changed that much.

Break in on dino because you do need frequent changes and synthetic would be a waste. Compression test and leak down will tell you what works and what does not.

How many of those pistons came out of air cooled engines ?

[hotrodsporty]

From what I read it makes sense. True the rings seat in the first 20-40 miles. That IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART. but be sure to accelerate and decelerate frequently. When you decelerate oil is pushed in the engine and flung all over to almost over lubricate everything. The worst thing you could do is run the same rpm constantly during the break in. I say once you have the rings seated ride it hard.

[JCourneyaP]

Break - In proceedure is like talking about what the best Oil to use is.

I personally would not Hammer on it until its got a few miles under it.

[frisco-rigid]

Hi Botz
I've broken-in alota motors and I've always done it slow and easy..
Maybe it's better his way but I will continue to do it my way..

One thing he said that I don't believe is that the gasses get BEHIND the rings and exert force outward forcing the ring face harder against the cylinder walls.. That has to be proven to me by OTHER than just that guys word..

Since you're only breaking in the top end,, rings and honing,, heck, give it a try and report back.. Of course you won't really know if it woulda been better the old easy way unless you take it all down in 5,000 miles, record your findings then build it again exactly the same way and break-it in the old easy way and take it all down again in 5,000 miles and compare..

I've heard the "break it in like you are going to ride it" theory from alota guys for alota years.. I simply won't do it..
Now, if it was a total new-build or re-build then there are other things (the whole rest of the motor) that need break-in other than rings to cylinder walls..

[botzman]

When I bought this bike new in '91 I broke it in with some slight aggressiveness. NOT hammering the throttle but rolling it on and off slightly more than the manual states. Accelerating and de-celerating for the first 100 or so. Then I'de run it up to 65mph or so til I hit 500 mi. All I can say is maybe I just got a good running bike or that little push during break-in helped out. Dont know. It's showing its age now, tired and old like me! Hoping this new top end will wake up the sleeping beast.....a little. Thanks to all for the info. Botz