[sem100]

Hi Guys,

New to the board. Any tips on the break in of a 2004 RC-51.

It is completely stock. I have about 250 miles on it.

I have been keeping the RPM's under 6000.

[ConqSoft]

Here ya go, from the KB (Knowledge Base): Bike Break-In Procedure

[sem100]

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

Here ya go, from the KB (Knowledge Base): Bike Break-In Procedure

Thanks that was just what I was looking for. It sure is a whole lot of fun on two wheels. Regarding the constant RPM's, does that mean speed up and back off once you get up to speed on the freeway.

[Red Rider]

Originally Posted by sem100

Thanks that was just what I was looking for. It sure is a whole lot of fun on two wheels. Regarding the constant RPM's, does that mean speed up and back off once you get up to speed on the freeway.

Yes. It's best to vary the rpm's. On the freeway you can just change gears. IMO, don't baby the bike during break-in...

[figment]

found this article about plane engines from another site:

Each new or rebuilt engine is given a production test run at the factory before the engine is delivered to an aircraft manufacturer or other customer. After installation in the aircraft, the engine is run again during the test flights. These test runs will insure that the engine is operating normally and will provide an opportunity to locate small oil leaks or other minor discrepancies. In addition, these test runs do the initial seating of the piston rings. The rest of the break-in is the responsibility of the pilot who flies the aircraft during the next 50 hours.
A new, rebuilt, or overhauled engine should receive the same start, warm-up, and preflight checks as any other engine. There are some aircraft owners and pilots who would prefer to use low power settings for cruise during the break-in period. This is not recommended.

A good break-in requires that the piston rings expand sufficiently to seat with the cylinder walls during the engine break-in period. This seating of the ring with the cylinder wall will only occur when pressures inside the cylinder are great enough to cause expansion of the piston rings. Pressures in the cylinder only become great enough for a good break-in when power settings above 65% are used.
Full power for takeoff and climb during the break-in period is not harmful; it is beneficial, although engine temperatures should be monitored closely to insure that overheating does not occur. Cruise power settings above 65%, and preferably in the 70% to 75% of rated power range should be used to achieve a good engine break-in.

It should be remembered that if the new or rebuilt engine is normally aspirated (nonturbocharged), it will be necessary to cruise at the lower altitudes to obtain the required cruise power levels. Density altitudes in excess of 8000 feet (5000 feet is recommended) will not allow the engine to develop sufficient cruise power for a good break-in.

For those who still think that running the engine hard during break-in falls into the category of cruel and unusual punishment, there is one more argument for high power settings during engine break-in. The use of low power settings does not expand the piston rings enough, and a film of oil is left on the cylinder walls. The high temperatures in the combustion chamber will oxidize this oil film so that it creates a condition commonly known as glazing of the cylinder walls. When this happens, the ring break-in process stops, and excessive oil consumption frequently occurs. The bad news is that extensive glazing can only be corrected by removing the cylinders and rehoning the walls. This is expensive, and it is an expense that can be avoided by proper break in procedures

.
To summarize, there are just a few items to remember about engine break-in: (1) If a preservative oil has been added by the aircraft manufacturer, drain it not later than the first 25 hours of operation; (2) Follow the engine manufacturers recommendation regarding the oil to be used for break-in and the period between changes; (3) Run the engine at high cruise power levels for best piston ring/cylinder wall mating; (4) Continue break in operation for 50 hours or until oil consumption stabilizes. These simple procedures should eliminate the possibility of cylinder wall glazing and should prepare the engine for a long and satisfactory service life.

[Zippy]

That is one of the better summaries of the break-in process that I have seen. It does a good job of explaining the reasons for getting on it fairly hard during the process.

[CBR929RE]

Originally Posted by figment

found this article about plane engines from another site:

thats really similar to that website about breaking in an engine where the guy said the first 20 miles are the most important and to basically ride the piss out of it really hard (acclerating and engine braking really hard).