Posted by YO-XX http://www.cbrxx.com/images/styles/S...post-right.png
Synthetic oil in the BB? I wouldn't do that if I were you...

read this...

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I know I'm late, but wow. There isn't a single thing in that linked page that is even a little accurate.

Originally Posted by GeoffXX

i also find this article posted earlier in this thread a good read All About Motor Oil

This, OTOH, is great info.

I don't want there ever to be a big Oil Thread Fight (plus I'm new here ) But I do have some experience that folks might find useful in some way or another.

Cliff notes at bottom...

Starting in the early 90's I began sending used oil samples for analysis. I've done this on a couple of cars, two tow vehicles, several street bikes and several race bikes. Based on all of that analysis, and a few conversations with a Shell engineer who works in industrial lubrication (admittedly not car or bike engines, but the guys engineering specialty is lubrication, so..ya), and an engier at Blackstone Labs, here is what I do in my vehicles. I'm sure many of you do the same, and many of you do way different stuff.

race/track bikes: Rotella-T synth 100% of the time (except break-in, but only because it's a waste of money due to multiple rapid-interval oil changes..nothing to do with the oil itself). race bikes get oil changed every other weekend because it gives me a chance to closely eyeball lots of stuff I don't normally see. The oil is still good after 4 full race weekends. I never went farther, so I can't comment.

Notable vehicles: I never had any oil related issues, but I can't say that I had any extra-ordinary/interesting bikes to report on here. With regard to the old wives' tale of not using synthetic right away though, I did buy a brand new Ducati 800SS to race in 08. It went out on track for the first time with 0.8 miles on it. I broke it in over the course of the morning's practices, changed the oil to Rotella-t synth at lunch, then rode it like I stole it for the entire season with no issues. I then sold it to a fellow who raced it for two more seasons, also with no issues. After that I lost track of it. The bike made excellent power and used only a tiny amount of oil, which is common when racing air-cooled bikes in the South...they get _really_ hot.

Street bikes: Rotella-T synth 100% of the time. I change it every 5,000 miles but the oil isn't anywhere near 'worn out.' Rather it needs changing because of contamination from combustion by-products that aren't filtered by the filter.

Notable vehicles: Triumph Daytona 1200, bought with 5300 miles, sold with 81,500, still in spec re: compression, etc. 1984 V65 Sabre: bought with 21k, sold with 88k, used no oil between changes

Cars, gas tow vehicles (never has a deisel): Rotella-T synth 100% of the time. I change the oil every 8,000 miles, but again, it is not 'worn out' at this point. Also, it is not yet overly degraded by combustion byproducts. Analysis suggests that 10,000 miles would be completely fine, but my subjective mechanical sensibilities kick in and I get twitchy around 8k, so that's when it gets changed.

Notable vehicles: 1985 Audi 5000 Turbo Quattro. Bought with 115,000 miles on it, sold with 308,000 miles. Still on the original turbo and clutch, used no oil, same 8k change interval. 2001 Hyundai Accent bought new, got Rotella-t synth at first change, sold it with 168,000 miles. Used about 1/2 quart of oil between changes starting at about 140,000 (or at least that's where I noticed it). No other issues.

Obviously, this is all anecdotal...just wanted to relate my experiences. I think that while I am by no means close to an expert on the matter, I have done more research and put more effort and thought into the subject (analysis, records keeping, etc) than many folks have done.

Cliffs: It has been demonstrated to my satisfaction via lab analysis and experience over time that more expensive motorcycle-specific oil has no tangible benefit with regard to any aspect of wear prevention or oil performance. this doesn't mean that it is 100% the truth, nor does it mean that motorcycle oil is bad. This is just my personal conclusion. Apart form that, I really thing that the whole thing is a bit of a tempest in a teapot. If you use any name brand oil of the proper viscosity, and keep it clean by changing it regularly, you're good to go IMO. After all, when was the last time you heard of a definite oil-caused engine failure in a motor that actually had oil in it? The only one I know about was in the 70's on a CB550 that had never had its oil changed ever, and spun a bearing at 60,000+...pretty extreme, eh?

Great write up Doc,i use silkoline synth my self.

fully synth, no problems whatsoever.

I did and Oil / Filter change last weekend using Bel Ray Semi Synth 10w 40 and the bike now runs like a dream. The clutch is a lot smoother and the motor a lot quieter.. I will always use Semi Synths Mineral Oil turns to glug and synth turns to water. At least i will have gluggy water in my motor.

Originally Posted by Gazman

I did and Oil / Filter change last weekend using Bel Ray Semi Synth 10w 40 and the bike now runs like a dream. The clutch is a lot smoother and the motor a lot quieter.. I will always use Semi Synths Mineral Oil turns to glug and synth turns to water. At least i will have gluggy water in my motor.

I suggest using 15w50 at least if it's hot down under. 10w40 would go in a bike running in a cold patch of land like Alaska or something....My rule of thumb is: Hot weather=thicker oil.

Mostly I use olive oil, unless i'm doing chinese in which case i reach for grape seed but for scambled eggs realy there is no substitute for salted butter, all other situations is use Amsoil, cheers.

Yeah but what about margarine?

How about a Blenders Delight 2 qt's 20w-50 Valvoline synpower + 2 qts Rotella T5 10w-30 Plus a splash of mmo Just for flavor Yields a 15w-40. Try it on Romaine Lettuce, it's not bad.

ROFL!

I recently switched to used cooking oil. I am now able to do this:

http://img.tapatalk.com/415f9ab5-450f-cde9.jpg

Haha! I have done that a LOT of times on our dragbird Scott!
The dyna is set to that! 12,5k...
(yes on oem springs and no it does not explode)

But what oil are you using? I think my tach may show something different when I put the damned motor in the right way round.

Olive oil of course! I'm in Greece, remember?

Originally Posted by YO-XX

Hi Birdies,

Which oil do you use?

Mineral, semy-synth or full-synth?

I use Castrol GPS semi-synth 10W40¨

Here´s an useful thread about oil for the BB recommending NEVER to use Full synth...(if it has a very low mileage)

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Anyone who wondered why my top end needs attention after only 7K .. here is your answer.