Breaking in a new sled

[Boondock Saint]

I just bought a new sled and will be done with a few mods in a couple of weeks. WHat do I need to do on the first ride to break the sled in? I hear you had about a half a quart of oil directly into the gas tank. What else needs to be done before I can ride it like I stole it.. TIA

[helmethair]

one pint of oil to full tank, run with that until its empty then straight pump gas. also do not go wide open AT ALL for first tank, vary your throttle all the time so your clutches and belt break in properly. Make sure you have grease on your speedometer bearing, zurk is right below secondary clutch. after your first tank make sure you check track tightness and look to see if you're using the right amount of oil, antifreeze and so on

[teeroy]

Originally Posted by helmethair

one pint of oil to full tank, run with that until its empty then straight pump gas. also do not go wide open AT ALL for first tank, vary your throttle all the time so your clutches and belt break in properly. Make sure you have grease on your speedometer bearing, zurk is right below secondary clutch. after your first tank make sure you check track tightness and look to see if you're using the right amount of oil, antifreeze and so on

I disagree on the no WOT during break in. the engine must be ridden hard to bring temps to max for proper seating of rings etc....ride hard for a few minutes, then back off for a while to let things cool briefly, then hard on it again for a short period. do this for the first tank of fuel, then bag the chit out of it.

when we get new trucks, or after a rebuild, we hook them up to the heaviest lobed we have (40 wheel combination) and run them hard up and and let them cool going down the river valley hills. it is critical that a new engine get to max operating temps for proper break in. we have done this for over 45 years for our company, and treated our sleds, quads, bikes, pickups, and every other new motor the same way. my pa is a licensed HD mechanic and he began preaching this to me when I got my brand new XR 80 and I have followed it religiously with no failures and excellent engine performance over the life of the unit.

[H2SNOW]

ride it like you stole it !!! get those rings set

[helmethair]

i hereby rephrase my 'at all' to 'for long' ...also boondock saint is a super clever name

[heinracing]

also i recommend washing your belts with soap and water makes them last longer

i would also just make sure everything is full of grease and nut and bolted

[m8magic]

redline oil say on there racing oil that when breaking in a REBUILT motor...if using synthetic that you need to run 80 percent load for 15 minutes to seat rings...far less load if using petroleum based oil...it is many rebuilders that suggest using only REGULAR two stoke oils for break in...but we are of the subject and not talking oils or rebuilts..so sorry...anyway new sled..most manual have the procedure...but i am of the opinion the first half tank lots of varied throttle 1/2 and under and next five gallons some wot not exceeding 5 seconds...then your set

[helmethair]

Originally Posted by m8magic

redline oil say on there racing oil that when breaking in a REBUILT motor...if using synthetic that you need to run 80 percent load for 15 minutes to seat rings...far less load if using petroleum based oil...it is many rebuilders that suggest using only REGULAR two stoke oils for break in...but we are of the subject and not talking oils or rebuilts..so sorry...anyway new sled..most manual have the procedure...but i am of the opinion the first half tank lots of varied throttle 1/2 and under and next five gallons some wot not exceeding 5 seconds...then your set

Thats what i was going for. thats what i tell new customers here.

[Boondock Saint]

Thanks for everyones responses... Thats the exact info that I needed. I should have a chance next week to break her in! Let it snow!

[MN IQ Raw]

I drive mine like any other day other than that i dont hold it WFO for anything over 5 seconds. Ride it hard just not long WOT. And dont let it sit and idle for a long time, just get it warmed up and ride it. Prolonged idling or no load running is wasting cross hatching and ring break in time.