What oil to use? I need to change fluids....

[Bowtied]

Hey fellas, i think it's about time i change the fluids in my bike. It's gotten some mileage on it since the last change. But i had it changed at the yamaha shop and i'm assuming they used yamaha oil cause it cost me an arm and two legs. So i'm gonna change it myself now and need to know whats similar to the yamaha brand. Like mobil 1 or castrol syntec or do they use conventional? Also anyone know the cross reference number to a bosch or wix filter or anything like that? Or do i need to go to yamaha for a new filter as well? Thanks for the help fellas. I appriciate it.



Oh and it's a 79 xs11 special. If that makes a difference. And it's getting colder here in oklahoma too if that makes a difference in the viscosity for a bike. I know it does for cars.

[prometheus578]

Fram CH6002 if'in I recall correctly.(which I always do)
Some auto parts stores don't carry them on the shelf anymore, but can get them from their warehouse. I usually order two or three at a time.

A lot of members here run Castrol GTX 20w50. I've never had a problem with it.
I wouldn't worry about weather and viscosity issues. If'in it's cold enough to make a difference, you wouldn't be riding anyway.
Middle gear and final drive take 80w90 gear lube.
Stay away from synthetics as they can be too slippery for our clutches, but they can be used in the middle and final drives.
Brake fluid... DOT 3, although DOT 4 would be better.

I suppose, while you're at it, you should let the "summer' air out of your tires and put in some fresh "winter' air.
(TRBIG and DIVER RAY swear by that. Canadians like Ken and Fred run "winter" air all year round.)

[trbig]

I just let the summer air out of my front tire... because I had to get another tire! But, I ride enough miles to do that. 15k miles since May.

For some people.. it's hard to get enough miles on one to have to change the air or oil when you only drive it a block for beer and cigarettes.


Tod

[foreda]

Oil Filter

I use Wix filter no. 24933. It comes with all of the O-rings and I buy them at O'Reillys Auto Parts store. They don't normally stock but I order a couple at time.

[TADracer]

I suppose, while you're at it, you should let the "summer' air out of your tires and put in some fresh "winter' air.

I cant seem to find any winter air! I guess I should have changed it out last week when it snowed in New Orleans and it actuall got down to 31. It was 78 yesterday.

Castrol makes a 4-cylinder motorcycle oil that I have been using for the past couple of years with great result. It is Castrol 4-T and I have been getting it at Pep Boys in a 1 gallon jug in 20W50. Clutch seems to love it.

[trbig]

Last time I checked, Fram had quit producing the filters we use. I went to Oreilly's and bought up all they had left in their warehouse, and Autozone didn't have any left in theirs. WIX is still apparently making them, but they are considerably more. Partsnmore.com has them for $4 last time I checked, but they have a min order and I have no idea if they come with the O-rings or not.

Tod

[planedick]

Fram filters

I get them at Cycle Gear and they do come with "O" rings, but I buy them ahead of time and take out the "O" rings that are folded up in the box and hang them up to straighten out otherwise they are hard to keep in the groove when installing them. You can get them at JC Whitney too.

[CatatonicBug]

The filters are all over the internet. Most of the parts sites that have the parts for carbs also have the filters. Lots of sellers on e-bay as well.

[trbig]

otherwise they are hard to keep in the groove when installing them.

Smear a bit of grease into the groove first.. then put the O-ring in. The grease will hold it in place. Or.. hang them up.. lol.

Tod

[dbeardslee]

Bowtied - I get my filters at Advance Auto Parts. Can't remember the brand, but they come with the o-ring. If you tell 'em what it's for they can look it up on their computer and cross-reference. They've got a bunch of locations in Oklahoma City.

[Bowtied]

Thanks guys. I work at autozone so i'll check when i get to work today and see if i can cross that ch6002 number and see what that gets me. Thanks again fellas. Really appriciate the help.

[Ivan]

I have used Mobil 1, Castrol, Valvolene, several motorcycle rated oils, and SHell Rotella (for big diesels on tractors and such).

The only difference I find is the price. Tractor oil is way cheaper than MC oil.

[boyat68]

Just for information, if you take the folded "O" ring in the Ch6002 box and throw it in a pan of hot water for about 5min. then the curl comes out and it fits on the filter very snug.

[CatatonicBug]

I suppose, while you're at it, you should let the "summer' air out of your tires and put in some fresh "winter' air.
(TRBIG and DIVER RAY swear by that. Canadians like Ken and Fred run "winter" air all year round.)

I just had to laugh at this one. My dad used to race go-carts professionally before I was born (2-time Canadian Grand-National Champion), and told me many stories about things that happened at the track. This was actually one of them. He told me about one crazy guy in the pits who swore by the idea that he needed to change the air in the tires of his cart between heats. There is no physical benefit in this practice. Air is just air, and does not loose any of it's pressure-holding properties over time, or when heated or cooled. There is also nothing in the tire itself that, when mixed with air, will degrade the tire in any way.

[trbig]

True... but there's also nothing about a major leugue baseball player wearing a pink thong that is going to make him hit or pitch better either. Superstitions.. sometimes ya gotta go with 'em!