oil, what to use.

[malber]

This is actually a better explanation of octane rating:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question90.htm

[olebiker]

Thank you I thought your explanation was fine. Sounds like I will be running regular and saving money. Unless I get some pinging. See old dogs can learn new tricks

[planedick]

Pinging

If you are experiencing pinging in these engines you probably have a big buildup of carbon in the combustion chamber....

[mbowld44]

oil

For the last six years I have been using Motorex 10-40 semi synthetic oil, states on the container "suitable for motorcycles with oil bath clutches "change oil and filter every year usualy 2-3000miles but $46 for a four litre container other oils are even more expensive

Martin

[xs650mike]

revived oil thread turned into an octane thread!

Haven't read everything on this one yet but I couldn't resist chiming in with the fact that I've been using 87 octane regular in ol' Rusty for nearly 30k miles. Runs fine with no pinging. The lower the octane the higher the energy content, or so I'm told, so if you can run the lower octane without pinging you'll have more power.

Speaking of power, day before yesterday I blew off another Harley over on U. S. 101 in Mendocino County. I passed him at around 75 mph but he passed me again at around 90 mph. We were running uphill into an intense headwind. This was a full dress Ultra Glide tourer with a big fairing with 2 headlights. He ran out of soup at around 105 mph indicated so I imagine he had a lot of money invested in hopping up his engine. I love blowing off somebody with $30k + invested in his bike with a rusty stock '79 Japan bike that cost me $200!

[planedick]

Yeah

but Hardleys are easy, even the V-Rod. Neighbor got one recently and was braggin', you know what that means. Beat him bad with 50 lbs of tools and parts on board in bags and box AND the 750 mod.......

[saddle up]

I know this,, a hot rod Sportster,, will smoke any of the big hogs..and our good ole gals will still smoke any of the new HD's. A pigelet will hang in there until about 85 or so. But they can be launched off the line quicker than anything else except a VMAX or a Norton 850....
I love this site..

[saddle up]

I guess this thread is going sideways.. sorry folks

[DavesXS]

Originally posted by Crazcnuk
Well, the problem is people actually believe there is a difference between brands.

There isn't.

If any one believes this statement I have some ocean front property in Nevada to sell ya.....

Just google motor oil tests and you'll see each brand performs differently.

I have a sponsored 300zxTT I race. I know about some oil and extreme conditions.

Based on tests I have seen, and real life applications...These are the brands I know about.
Castroil gtx =Best bang for the buck good
Valvoline=good but not as good as Castroil.
Royal purple= not as good as you think.
Lucas=crap,(believe that too) It will foam up.
Mobile one 2nd best for cars, not good for wet clutch in bikes.

The #1 oil to put in a motor is Amsoil by far. It is possibly not good for our bikes though because of the wet clutch, but I could be wrong(and hope I am)

Does any one know about Amsoil in our bikes?

[Crazcnuk]

Ok, how about:

For the low rpm, mild performance vehicles that the average person is driving around at street speeds is concerned,

There is really little or no difference in the oil brands you will see at your local discount oil shop or gas station?

We can go around in circles for years, and basically, yes you can spend 3x as much for your oil and it will make your street vehicle and it last a little longer. Not enough to warrant the extra cost.

If you really want to save, run any full synthetic oil, filter it well and change it every 500,000 miles or so.

[DavesXS]

Its my understanding full synthetic isn't good for wet clutch right?


Were not talking normal every day street car driving. Were talking about 28 year old bike with extreme temperatures, and wear.edit: and we have what is ment to be a higher reving engine. Not a low rpm cruzer like a V Twin.
So I would imagine that we'd want a better than average oil.

Oil weight is possibly the biggest factor. And for that I'd just listen to the guys on here running in the same climate.

For me I am going with castroil gtx 20-50.

I find it best for older hot running motors like my 90 Jeep XJ rock climber with 150k. So it should be good for my XS11.

Still wondering about amsoil and our clutches though?

[Paintman]

Syn oils with wet clutches

as long as the Synthetic oil dosent have any Friction Modifiers. Amsoil Motorcycle oil is fine with wet clutch systems and will even drop the cylinder head temp on an Air Cooled Bike i use it without any probems with my clutch in several older bikes . but then again its all up to the idividual user what they Prefer. just my 2 Cents on this slippery subject.
John

[DavesXS]

Re: Syn oils with wet clutches

Originally posted by Paintman
as long as the Synthetic oil dosent have any Friction Modifiers. Amsoil Motorcycle oil is fine with wet clutch systems and will even drop the cylinder head temp on an Air Cooled Bike i use it without any probems with my clutch in several older bikes . but then again its all up to the idividual user what they Prefer. just my 2 Cents on this slippery subject.
John

Thanks,

Thats what I wanted to hear.

[Crazcnuk]

Up here, just look for the 'energy saving' on the API label. For our bikes you don't want that.

[03mach1]

I am running the 10W40 AMSOIL
Seems to work fine.

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/mcf.aspx?zo=1378030