Run in for new rings ..

[MadMax]

I should be fitting my rebored 1550 barrels on this weekend with SE flat tops & heads set up for 26G's . The plan was to do cams at the same time but I'm skint as usual so stock cams will have to stay in for now. I've seen a few run in procedures for complete engines but still unclear on what's necessry for just rings? Start & run up to operating temperature then allow to cool 4 or 5 times then ride between 1500 - 3000 rpm for a couple of hundred miles? I have synthetic in there at the moment with about 2000 miles on it - Is it necessary to change oil after just rings?

[michael_dinwiddy]

I run in a new set of rings in about 1000 miles, get it all warmed up Just jently letting the engine pick up speed, never let the revs get too low or too high.

Not just motorway work ether, a littlebit of everything.

After 500miles I gave it a little bit more , then at 1000 I gently brought it up to my normal riding style.

Nice and warm then a good thrash.

[weedavie_j]

[ I have synthetic in there at the moment with about 2000 miles on it - Is it necessary to change oil after just rings?[/quote]

Don't know too much about this Madmax but Kiwidave insists that synthetic oil is not as good as mineral oil for running in I read that on a previous post somewhere
Maybeeez Dave can give some more detail M8

Wacko

[banquo]

General ring bed-in technique, for rebuilt engines, not specific to Harleys (actually from a manual that came with a reconditioned car engine):
Immediately engine has started, make sure oil pressure is attained.
Increase engine speed to about 1200 rpm, to make sure oil is thrown on to cylinder walls, and run the engine at this speed for about 15 minutes, or until it reaches operating temperature. Take on road, and accelerate several times from 25-35mph in top gear (this may be a bit slow for a Harley in top IMHO) to load the piston rings. Then follow recommended run-in procedure, as if the engine was new.
The piston to bore bed in is the most critical part of the running in, so the fact you 'only' have that, does not change what's required, at least I don't thinkmit does....
There is a school of thought that synthetics are no good for running in, and you would be best with mineral; there are web sites full of oil topics, and you never will get a concensus on anything.... but IMHO it needs drained and changed as if it were a new motor at 1000 miles, as there will be metal particles lost to oil from the bores bedding in. Oil isn't cheap, but it's cheaper than what you invested so far.... ;)

Just an opinion...

[dpb-RK]

There are many ways to run in rings, almost all 'experts' will have their guaranteed method, they will all be different.

Be sensible, but feel free to give them a 'touch' of welly if you wish

[kiwidave]

see you on the highway changing gear up and down like a mad thing......I'm doing this as of the end of next week.

Drop down a couple of threads and read ''advice on running in new Street Bob.''

It's the same job. All about piston walls versus rings.

[Justcruising]

Good to hear from you Max
How's life in Scotland, hope you are well
Regards new rings, give them a few miles to bed in then gradually increase the revs. All the above applies however don't go too steady you can tell when rings start to bed in by the oil consumption and the way a motor revs.
Have fun
Yours the ever sientific approach
Andy