Question re. water buildup in oil

Does anyone have any idea under what conditions water will build up in the oil. I'm aware that it can happen under colder damp or wet conditions while riding and not allowing the oil to heat up enough. Can this occur during storage under these type of conditions or does it happen primarily while riding?

Primarily while riding. Water is one of the major by-products of combustion. Since there is always some leakage past the rings you will get moisture in the case. The other thing is that as the engine heat-cycles from running to cold when it's parked the air/gas inside the case will contract drawing cool, damp air in from outside which will then condense on cold engine parts. Thing is, if the engine isn't run temperature changes and gradients are much less severe so the engine won't be drawing in or expelling such large quantities of air.

If you are parking the bike for winter? Change the engine oil, (The other ones will be fine.) fill the tank, remove the battery and store it somewhere temperate and every week or two give it a trickle charge, (This I am led to believe is a better option than a 'tender'.) and leave it alone. In spring, re-install the battery fire it up and ride.

Pete

Pete, for winter storage have you considered (or tried) Sta-bil fuel additive.
Never used it but I tow a lot of bikes in sunny Qld that have sat for a few months, stale fuel dramas etc.

The reason I didn't mention it is because I have no experience of it. Closest I've come to 'Winterizing' one of my modern bikes was last year when Jude and I went to the U.S. for three months. I didn't use an additive then and the bikes fired up just fine on my return. I don't use gas with ethanol though so I don't know if that would make a difference?

Pete

Thanks for that Pete.

Picked the bike up on Oct. 23rd and have ridden it about 4 times with another 3-4 times (hopefully) to come before I put it up. Given the oil has just been changed twice very recently. Once for th 10k in Aug. and another in Oct. for the roller kit upgrade (also cleaned and backwashed sump, cooler, strainers an inspected oil pump too). Very little riding done in between the oil changes.

Given this do you think it would still be wise or necessary to change the oil again before putting it up for about 3.5 months.

Nah! Spend the money on something useful like beer.

Pete

Beer money - ya know, that's a damn good thought right now!