Who Uses Synthetic

[planedick]

Dino oil????

Been running Penzoil 20 - 50 in the '79 and now Pathfinder. The '79 standard wasn't as noisey as the Pathfinder, but the clearances were .002" closer all around. I think after reading all this I am gonna try the GTX and see if maybe it's not so noisey. According to the speedo, (have no idea if it's right or not) it has 59,900 now and it doesn't use any oil between changes. I must admit to adding MMO to the gas and oil.

[79XS11F]

I don't ... These older puppies do fine on reg oil
Rob

[chopwatchagot]

synthetic. Amsoil. 10W40. Just because a lubricant is synthetic doesn't make it more slippery. The slipperyness is controlled by the amount of moly added. All lubricants whether petroleum based or synthetic have additives that help achieve the things we want our oil to do; resist shear breakdown, carry impurities to the filter, control sludge and etc. Go to the Amsoil website and read the excellent information on the subject. BTW, I am not nor am I related to an Amsoil dealer. It is IMHO simply the best lubrication you can use in an internal combustion engine.

[81xsproject]

somewhere on here is a great article about oils. In the end, synthetic wasn't and better other than retaining its viscosity (resistance to flow, not a lubricating property) longer than conventional oils. The regulars oils all held up pretty much the same. And, additives, like Slick 50, actually increased engine wear. Great article, changed my life. Also had to let my father know that after all these years of debate that HE was right and I was wrong.

[81xsproject]

Here it is

http://www.xs11.com/stories/croil96.shtml

[MAXIMAN]

This is the never ending debate. I'm not sure anyone can ever answer it fully. I've changed my mind on this subject to a degree.

I will say this. After having talked to 3 different people that have put in XS of 100,000 miles on there Elevens I am now convinced.

Synths may be better but I doubt they are cost effective. Two of these guys used off the shelf...automotive mineral oil. One used Yama-Lube...the other two Castrol. In all three cases they got in XS of 100K miles with no problems (engine, clutch or tranny). All three changed oil at the 2000-3000 mile interval.

If I can get 100,000 trouble free miles out of an Eleven I'll be tinkled pink... regardless of the type of oil.

Another thing to consider if you are a "road tripper" like me...some synthetics are not easily found in places like Tonopah, Nevada or Marathon, Texas. Mobil 1 motorcycle oil is somewhat common still not widespread. But Amsoil is really a challenge to find. All the guys I've ridden with that run Amsoil have to take a quart or two on a long trip.

I use Valvoline 4-stroke motorcycle oil. It's cheap, and designed for wet clutches and bike transmissions. I've never had any problem finding it at NAPA, Autozone, etc.

[mason79]

i use the cheapest 20-50 sl rated i can find in auto zone or comparable consumer level auto chain, and change it often,

course i only ridden it 5000 miles since and the po put 50k miles on i don't know what,

anyways i think i read the tech on oil here and that is not the only time i heard or read about oil shootouts and the conventional stuff stands tall.

besides, here a question for you, maxipads, the bike was made 25 years ago with that design for the oils and their properties available at that time...

now do you think this ongoing upgrading or up something, yielded oils as a whole somewhat superior, a wholesale superiority, or on par or even an inferior oil than the oils of the past.

if my hunch as to your opinion is correct, the use of even conventional oils today would provide improve lubrication qualities of even bike oils of daze gone bye.

[Snow]

What about those bikes that have performance modifications such as big bore kits or other mods that increase heat?

[shutchis]

I have over 8,000 miles on the Mobil DELVAC 1300 SAE 15W-40 Diesel Engine Oil. I've also used the Shell Rotella-T Heavy Duty SAE 15W-40 motor oil. They both seem to be excelllent performers. The bike just rolled over 40,000 miles, and I opened up the tranny last month to repair a 2nd gear problem. The clutch and transmission pan was spotless, I was amazed at how clean the inside of the engine appeared.

No clutch issues, No slipping. The bike runs quiet and shifts great.

Both of these oils are find-able at most auto parts stores and at Walmart. And they're reasonably prices.

I change oil about 1,500 miles or so, and it always comes out black. I guess it's doing its job of removing deposits and lubricating the engine parts.

I'm sure the synthetics will run cooler, but for now, I'll keep using the diesel oils.

Note:The DELVAC gallon bottle has a built in (pop out) funnel which is nice for adding oil to our bikes.

[mpcluever]

I bought the bike with Amzoil in it and used it for a couple of years. My starter was starting to slip real bad to the point it would take 5 minutes to get it started most days. Read a post in here that they suspected the oil for the same problem. Also I had several instances of the clutch slipping after it got real hot. Changed to 20/50 regular oil and haven't seen either problem since.

[Snow]

Originally posted by mpcluever
I bought the bike with Amzoil in it and used it for a couple of years. My starter was starting to slip real bad to the point it would take 5 minutes to get it started most days. Read a post in here that they suspected the oil for the same problem. Also I had several instances of the clutch slipping after it got real hot. Changed to 20/50 regular oil and haven't seen either problem since.

That means it will rear it's ugly head again in the future...

[HobbyMan]

I bought the bike with Amzoil in it and used it for a couple of years

You mean you never changed the oil!

[mason79]

my gaso-oil flush, put alot and i mean alot of sludge in the oil filter housing i think it accumalated in the pan as well , and i was able to access the shifter cover to clean, he had an oil cooler with a temp gauge, very consciencous owner but it sludged anyways.

[John]

Originally posted by Snow
What about those bikes that have performance modifications such as big bore kits or other mods that increase heat?

I have the 1179 big bore, and I still use Castrol 20W-50. Always will. I may try the new castrol Activa bike oil some day, but it is pricy.

[HobbyMan]

When did they come out with that? I have never heard of it.