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Motorcycle Engine Flush, What’s the Deal?
You’ve probably heard about an engine flush before, but what exactly is it, and how does it actually improve your bike?
An engine flush sounds more hardcore than it really is. In practice, it’s simply a matter of adding a special engine flush liquid to your oil, letting the bike idle for a few minutes. Then just drain the oil and do a proper oil change, just as easy as that really.
What is a Motorcycle Engine Flush?
A motorcycle engine flush is a chemical additive that, when mixed with warm engine oil, helps clean the inside of your engine. It dissolves carbon deposits, sludge, and other buildup.
When you drain the oil afterwards, you’re also removing the loosened grime and junk. The result?
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Less engine wear
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Lower emissions
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Better performance
Do I Need to Flush My Chopper’s Engine?
Over the years (especially if your bike has had a few owners) the oil has probably been changed a lot. While regular oil changes keep things relatively clean, they don’t always get rid of all the junk in your engine, especially if the oil change intervals were not as often as the manufacturer suggests.
Old oil can over time cling to the inside of your engine. Want to check if your bike has buildup? Try this:
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Change your oil per usual.
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After 400 km of riding, change it again.
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If the oil is as dark as your Italian friend's coffee, chances are old deposits are mixing with your fresh oil.
When the above-mentioned is the case it is time to properly clean the inside of your engine using a proper engine flush. I say proper because there are some cheap alternatives that may not work as you would like them to. After all your putting something that doesnt really belong in an engine inside your oil.
Which Engine Flush Should I Use?
There are plenty of products on the market, but after testing, we’ve had great results with Liqui Moly Engine Flush.
Here’s why we recommend it:
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Trusted worldwide and used in motor racing such as the Moto2, Moto3 and MotoGP.
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Works with high-performance oils.
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Made in Germany – so you know it has been properly made and tested.
Plenty of riders have shared before-and-after videos, and the difference between the old and new oil is often impressive.
How to Flush Your Motorcycle Engine (Step by Step)
Flushing your chopper’s engine is quick and rewarding; this is one of those 10-minute but rewarding jobs.
Step 1: Let your engine warm up until it reaches operating temperature.
Step 2: Open the oil filler cap and add the correct amount of engine flush (e.g., 250 ml Liqui Moly for 3–4.5 L of oil. Always check the bottle!).
Step 3: Let the bike idle for about 10 minutes. So get yourself a coffee or a beer or something.
Step 4: Drain the oil completely, i will often run a tiny bit extra oil through the system just to be sure all the junk is gone. As soon as the oil that comes through looks clean, that's when you are ready for the next step.
Step 5: Replace the oil filter (pre-oiled filters are common, but adding a little fresh oil before installation is always smart).
Step 6: Install the drain plug with a new crush washer.
Step 7: Refill with the right oil for your bike. (Be sure to double-check what oil and how much)
Step 8: Fire it up, enjoy smoother running, and pat yourself on the back.
Our thaughts
If you want to give your chopper’s engine a fresh start, an engine flush is a simple, affordable, and effective way to do it. Combine it with fresh oil and a new filter, and your bike will thank you with a somewhat better performance, but more importantly, it will last you longer. I p[ersonally give a new to me bike a quick engine flush when changing the oil just to be sure. People tend to do the same before/after riding on a circuit as well for example.
