Not intended to be an oil thread

[motoman]

as we all have bout heard it all. Had an interesting phenomina happen with my Venturer that I have never had happen or seen prior. For whatever reason(can't really pin-point the logic for the decision) I opted to give Rotella a try last fall from always using 20-50Vav. year round. Did a ride from here over several mountain passes down to Durango,Co. where I had purchased this bike new back in the day. This was about a 170-80 mile jaunt with plus 10,000ft elev. and alot of steep grade twisties up then back down as some of you may be familiar with. Next morning, oil level on center stand did NOT show in glass....eeeek. Added two pints I happened to take with "just in case", which I normally don't as it uses no oil between 2,000mile intervals. Rode the weekend there and back home....same thing again after another 300+- miles. Also noticed more valve train noise which had previously been almost non-existant. Know a little upper valve train noise is normal, and if TOTALLY quiet suspect some shim wear and correct it (don't need any burnt edge valves from not enough heat transfer from lack of proper contact with seat). With this being a still fairly low mileage original never apart motor, had them shimmed and found 3 exhaust and 1 intake a bit on the tight side, nothing serious enough to cause alarm, but corrected for 81specs. along with new OEM valve cover gasket and end plugs. I then drained the oil and changed filter going back with 20-50Vav.off the shelf motor oil as I had always previously used. Before winter cold showed I rode some 200miles various speeds slabing some at 80mph, secondary roads @65 and a bit of town riding with an occassional twist to redline. Oil level is still at full mark and clear as it was when changed as it should be with those low miles on this oil change. Also this thing is back to its old self and quiet upper valve train. Since I have done alot of high performance and stock engine building, mostly in the automotive sector, and knowing the air cooled motors tend to lean more towards broader clearances for heat expansion and such, would oils with modifiers in them tend to get past rings a bit easier? I only point this as a possibility because I also had a slight seep from not only the end of my cam tensioner housing,(which I fixed 3yrs. ago) but also was "wet" around the shifter seal. After going back to my normally used oil, both of those issues do NOT exist either, completely dry. In the automotive world with a known good motor with no issuses have seen this oil usuage happen when different viscosities were mixed or using a known "cheap" or re-claimed re-processed oil. The whole incident just really took me by surprise and not necessarily blaming the oil choice, but makes me wonder and any input that may or may not be motor related would be entertained also. Other than that, gonna lube this scoot with what it has always had in it.

[kirmit77]

Hey motoman, I think that maybe its time for you to ship that thing down here. From what I hear, you have abused this bike to no end and do not keep care of it. I think we all agree you need to part ways with her and maybe buy a moped!

OR.... just keep the same oil you have always used in it and call it a day

[motoman]

Kirmit....that's funny, don't care who you are. The only moped that might survive my abuse has pedals and since the XS will likely outlast my knees, I'll opt for the XSessive Venturer. Plus the fact that its being bought at the same age as it is this year gots to be an omen of sorts, so gonna keep and abuse it a whole lot more, of course draining oil through a #10 sieve screen and putting back in.

[trbig]

I don't know if I can blame Rotella either, but I used to use it in my bike's motors. I had two different motors that ruined the crank and bearings.. with one spun bearing and ruined motor block while using it.

Maybe it was the oil, and maybe it wasn't, but it was coincidental enough to know those were issues that oil was supposed to prevent. I haven't used it since, and have had no problems with bearings since.

This could also be just a matter of an engine's likes. One type of oil may make one person's motor run quiet and cool.. .while the same oil makes another's engine clattery on the top end. Seems as though yours likes Valvoline... mine hates it. Also seems a no-brainer for you not to use Rotella any more.. even if it's just coincidence.


Tod

[psycoreefer]

Well I have to say your both wrong!

I use rotella in my xs, used it in my shadow too, never had any problems with either bike besides normal stuff. Little clutch slip on the xs, expected seems how the PO rode it for 2 years with no 1st or 2nd gear. I do use a bit of oil but no leaks, I'm sure I've got leaky valve seals, all the symptoms are there. I'll continue to use rotella until I rebuild my motor, then its full synthetic.

Oil is like anything else, everyone has an opinion, but ultimately you have to do what works best for you. Nothing else really maters.

[motoman]

Don't know bout you Tod, but gonna give him the benefit of doubt on this one......must be somethin' to do with the Minden,NV water supply........