For the transmission oil change procedure I give Cannondale engineering an "A".
I would've given them a "B" on engine oil procedure except the oil inlet filter location docked them big time: final grade="D+"

How in the world do they expect you to get in there easily? I don't even want to tell you what I had to go through to get to it. I was actually surprised with my break-in oil. The engine oil was clean and didn't have any metal shavings in it that I could see with the naked eye and the bigger filter on the left side of the motor was clean as well (still got replaced). The tranny oil on the other hand was brown and a little thick. I don't know what kind of oil my dealership used so that may have something to do with it but I do know that I haven't ridden in any water or mud so that's not the culprit. So far I love this thing! I get butterflies in my stomach everytime I jump on it to go for a ride!

I used Pro Honda HP4 10W/40 synthetic blend with moly for the engine and Golden Spectro 80W for the tranny. These oils alright to use?

 

Did you replace the oil filter with the metal screen type? If not buy one for the next oil change so all you have to do is clean it and put back in instead having to buy a new paper one every time. Did you change the fuel filter too? If not go to your nears NAPA auto parts store a buy a wix 3011 for about $2.50 and replace it. I would replace the fuel filter everytime you change the oil.

I agree on the back oil filter. What were they thinking?

 

I check that back filter about every three oil changes. Still havent found anything in there but i still check[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] I agree with lt250 get the metal screen for the main filter mine was stock but if it wasen't i would get it so much nicer to clean that one then change a paper filter everytime. its worth the money[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Yeah, def. get the metal oil filter. As long as you change your oil regularly, you don't have to worry about the back filter. I cleaned it once, and that's it. I'm only checking mine every 6 months.


So I'm guessing you won't want the quad Scott ordered for you?

 

Jim, when I originally talked to Scott he said he already had that silver/blue Cannibal ordered and he was just waiting to get it so I didn't technically "order" it. I felt bad not being able to buy from Scott but the LE was the one I originally wanted and he told me he wasn't going to be able to get one. The dealership right up the road from me was aware of the shock recall on the Arvins and they said they'd meet my price and throw in a set of Ohlins. It was a deal that I couldn't refuse. He is a super nice guy and I've referred his dealership to several people in the PA/northern WV area who are looking at Cannondale's.

I'll give him a buzz.

-Guy

 

No, wait. No hard feelings. I'm glad you got a quad. Heck I wouldn't have passed on that deal either. You made out good.

I guess I should have worded the post differently, I was in a hurry to leave work. I hope you didn't take that the wrong way. I don't own the shop, I didn't loose anything. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

OK, cool deal Jim. I thought I was going to **** you, Scott and Ray off but I honestly didn't want to buy from the dealership I did but the deal was just too good. My dealership's been selling Cannondale from well over a year now so you'd think they knew what what going on with these things during set-up. They fouled the plug at the dealership, the idle wasn't set at the right RPM, the chain slack was at 3" and the battery wasn't fully charged. Now that I was able to fix all those problems (with some help from Alaska Jim) this things been running like a champ. Someone would have to make a killer quad to get me to sell this thing.

Thanks,
Guy

 

Hey Guy, FYI the dealer doesn't put the oil in, the factory does that.

 

Jeff, really? When I was asking the service manager what kind of oil he'd recommend he turned to the mechanic and asked him what they used. The mechanic goes, "I don't know, whatever's in the barrel back there. I think it's Honda 10W/40." This lead me to believe that they put the oil in it.

 

Yeah, the factory puts the break-in oil in it. I wouldn't use the "barrel oil"...I see what you mean about that dealership! The dealer has to put the battery in it, and gas. That's about it. Worst part is getting those dang metal tie downs out of the footpegs!

Only put good synthetic in the engine. I run 20w50 in the summer, and 10w30 in the winter months.