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Shipping with Zero Oil in the Case Shipping with Zero Oil in the Case
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Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  • 2 Post By *Touring Ted*

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  #1  
Old 27 Mar 2019
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Shipping with Zero Oil in the Case
I’m about to ship a bike by air and the airline has an odd request. As usual, to avoid the high fees normally associated with shipping dangerous goods, I have to drain the fuel, remove the battery, let the air out of the tires and one more thing, they have asked me to drain the engine oil. Two months ago I shipped on Nippon Airways from Canada to Kuala Lumpur and they never requested the engine oil drained, but this new airline has.

My question is, and I’d appreciate your comments, what do I risk in having no oil in my engine. The time it will take in transit and the time it will take to clear customs on the other end, could be a week or more. Assuming the case is sealed are there any risk to the internals having no oil ?

Thanks in Advance -
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  #2  
Old 27 Mar 2019
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For a week or even a few weeks there is zero risk as long as you dont start the bike.
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Old 28 Mar 2019
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For a start... How would they know ?? Are they going to check the sight glass or dipstick.

You could drain it just enough so it doesn't show up. That will do no harm.

However, It will do the motor no harm whatsoever to be oil free for weeks or even months. The oil will leave a film on components which will prevent corrosion etc.

However, if you do completely drain the motor, some engines will require you to bleed the motor.

You may get air locks in oil pumps, filters, tensioners. As one way valves designed to prevent this may slowly leak through over prolonged periods.

However, these generally clear themselves or are easy to check. Most bikes have oil pressure lights. Make sure yours is working.
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Last edited by *Touring Ted*; 28 Mar 2019 at 09:23.
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  #4  
Old 4 Apr 2019
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Zero Oil in the case
Thanks Touring Ted, that makes perfect sense. In the end, I found an airline that didn’t need the oil drained out, but did want the fuel out, tires deflated and battery out - Thank you for your comments.
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Old 5 Apr 2019
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When you do that, are you able to take your battery with you on the passenger side, or do you have to let it go and buy a new one at destination ? That's an extra hundred bucks to let go if you have to...
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