| Author | Message | ||
     Father |
This is my third post as a 2000 Buell S3T owner. Have been doing a lot of research in the service manual and on this board to learn as much as I can. I have been pondering what mods I may want to make to the bike in the future. One of my first thoughts was to put a race ECM in it. Yesterday morning I went out to the garage to admire my machine and peeked under the right side cover below the seat. SURPRISE, it already has a race ECM. Just saved 200 bucks. As you may have seen from my previous posts I am a Mobil 1 fan. Early this morning I sent an e-mail to Mobil and asked them to make recommendations for Engine and Primary lubricants for my S3T. They e-mailed me back today with: V-Twin 20W-50 for crankcase, and MX4T for the primary/clutch/transmission. MX4T is their other Mobil 1 motorcycle oil designed for wet clutch sport bikes. | ||
| Unibear12r |
If you don't already have them and your looking for more performance I'd get the Buell race air filter and either the Vance & Hines SSR muffler or the D&D muffler. Check out the sponsor's different web sites and you'll get a lot of ideas, and wish you were rich! | ||
| Djkaplan |
Mobil recommends the MX4T for the primary? I'll try that next time. | ||
| Bluzm2 |
I've always used the Mobil 1 75-90 gear lube. It's worked great for all 3 of my Buells. Brad | ||
| Blackbelt |
Ok so where do you get that MX4T stuff.. never heard of it.. | ||
| Twowheeldream |
I saw some at an import dealership that i stopped in to look at gloves yesterday. Didnt check price  | ||
| Whodom |
MX4T is available most places that carry the 20W-50 V-twin Mobil (Autozone, etc.). It's 10W-40, and is sold alongside the 20W-50. It's mainly aimed at Import bikes (water-cooled), but evidently Mobil recommends it for our transmission/primaries. | ||
| 5liter |
D&D muffler is REALLY loud. It attracts small children & repells deer  I have one on my 2002 S3T. I'm still waiting to put the race ECM on to cure the flat spot, otherwise a nice pipe. | ||
| Father |
I bought some of the lubricant today that Mobil recommended for my Buell's primary drive. As stated earlier it is a mobil 1 synthetic oil product for wet clutch motorcycles called MX4T. Found it at Wal Mart in an aisle located near other motorcycle stuff. I think I paid about 6 bucks for it. Also, I have been pondering what oil filter to buy for my engine oil. I see that many members on this web use the Motorcraft FL1A full size automobile oil filters. I have discovered that Motorcraft makes a long version of the FL1A. It is the FL299. It is about two inches longer than the FL1A. I cross referenced the FL1A and found the following filters for the same application: Fram PH977, Purolator L40017, NAPA Gold 1773, and the Baldwin BT251. I want to run a filter that will catch small particles and flow well. I am thinking about buying a premium filter like the NAPA Gold or the Motorcraft FL299 that will catch more of the small stuff in the oil. I know that the filters that do the best job of filtering also are the worst at flowing. But I am thinking that if I use a bigger filter the increased size of the filter media should allow for better flow. I bought the NAPA Gold filter today and think that I may give it a try. The NAPA Gold line is supposed to be a pretty good filter compared to the rest of their product line. It was 9 bucks. By the way, the Motorcraft FL299 is a Motorcraft performance item and I found it on the web for 19 bucks. 19 bucks is still a chunk of change though for an oil filter. If anything trying the NAPA Gold will be a fun experiment. Does anyone see any harm in my trying this? (Message edited by Father on May 26, 2005) (Message edited by Father on May 26, 2005) (Message edited by Father on May 26, 2005) | ||
| Father |
Here is the Motorcraft web address: http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=7562 | ||
| Captainkirk |
Father; Not everyone agrees with me on this topic but I'll give it another shot, since you're new here; What oil brand and type you run, as well as filter brand/type is not nearly as important as the oil/filter change interval schedule you adhere to. (This taking into consideration that you're using an oil designed for air-cooled V-twins to begin with) Yes, the semi-synth/full synth oils provide more protection in the upper and lower extremes, which the "average" street bike probably doesn't often see. Your S3T service manual probably lists an oil change interval of 5000 miles. I would consider changing oil and filter every 2500 or 90 days WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. The first job of oil is to cool and lubricate. The second job is to hold contaminates such as carbon, sulfuric acid, microscopic metal particles, silicon (dirt) and other miscellaneous nasties (byproducts of combustion) in suspension-a job most motorcycle oils perform well. Your job is to get the garbage out of the motor once it's been collected; sort of like emptying a vacuum cleaner bag, if you will. This task in itself is far more important than what brand of "bag" you use. Nothing will ruin a motor like corrosion pits on a cam lobe or cylinder walls, easily prevented by getting the acids suspended in your oil OUT of the case. Usually during the off-season I'll change my oil after the last ride of the season, then once every 7 to 10 days motor the engine through until I get oil pressure.(without actually starting the engine) This keeps clean, fresh oil on the internals without creating more condensation (which,in turn forms acids)Sure, choose and use the best oil you can afford...but not because you want to "extend your oil change intervals". In the long run, it doesn't work. Expensive oils and long reach "premium" filters don't have near the effect that clean oil running through a clean filter does. Just my 2 cents. | ||
| Father |
Here are some websites that I have looked at to help me learn a little more about filters: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/ http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html The first site has a great filter study that tests both flow and filtering ability. The second site I just found recently. | ||
| Father |
Captainkirk, Thanks for your two cents worth. I agree with you and I am definately not intending to extend my oil change intervals. I also agree that changing the oil regularly is more important than using premium products. I change the oil in my cars every 3,000 miles if I am using Dino oil and between 4000 to 5000 when I am using Mobil 1. Its really hot here in Arizona. The summertime temp here gets over 120 degrees. And when standing out in the middle of a black asphalt road around here the temp of the air near the road surface feels like about 140 degrees. Because of the extreme conditions I will likely try to use the best oil that I can and change it routinely (as you suggest). Most vehicle mechanics and dealerships around here refer to driving in Arizona as an extreme driving condition, requiring oil changes more frequently than are common in less harsh environments. Thanks again. | ||
| Father |
Captainkirk, I forgot to mention: I dont get to ride as much as I would like to. 4 kids, 2 jobs, the wife works, etc, etc..... I change the oil in my bikes about every 3 months. In that time I am lucky if I have ridden 1500 miles. So my current oil change intervals are about every 1500 miles. And the S3T only takes a little over two quarts so buying the good stuff like Mobil 1 doesn't hurt the pocketbook too much and its still way cheaper than letting the dealer do it. Take care and thanks again for the advice. | ||
| Captainkirk |
I hear ya, Jeff. I rarely find time for long rides myself, but always manage to sneak out for these short 30-50 mile rides before sunset. The wife doesn't get too upset knowing I'll only be gone an hour or so and it relieves the tension of the day. I'd really rather do several "quickie" rides during the week than a long weekend haul anyway. WRT your location; Arizona is indeed "severe" conditions during the summer. I'd go along with your idea to run synth/semi-synth in your case and probably run an oil cooler as well. Check out the American Sport Bike site; Al carries them. I think I'd go with the Mobil 1 V-twin or AMSOIL in your case, ignore the mileage and just change it every 90 days or so. Also, internal corrosion and "downtime" are probably not an issue for you in Arizona. Here in Illinois my cases sweat so much during the spring warm-up months I have to wipe the water droplets off the outside of the cases to keep it from staining the derby cover. Imagine what it looks like inside! You said "bikes..." what else ya ride? | ||
| Father |
I currently have two bikes. I have the S3T and a 1982 Honda Goldwing Aspencade (fully dressed). I grew up riding second hand dirtbikes that I worked on myself. Got most of my mechanical skills from my older brothers. One of my brothers who lives in Texas is a big Moto Guzzi fan. While growing up I remember him riding and restoring Nortons, Triumphs, and Sportsters. I had a Guzzi once back in the early 90's, an 850T. It was like an Italian Harley. Most of my mechanical expertise however does not relate to motorcycles. I really enjoy working on old Chevy's (60s through 72'). I just finished a 2 year restoration of a 1972 Chevrolet Suburban for my wife. When it comes to working on bikes I am still quite the amateur. I live just west of Phoenix. We have an acre of desert up against the mountains that are approximately 20 miles west of Phoenix. I grew up in Arizona and have spent most of my life here except for a few years on the east coast while in the military. The great thing about Arizona is that you can ride almost all year round, except after about noon in the summertime, its just too hot. Riding in the afternoon here right now feels like I am putting a hairdryer in front of my face. I like to take my two oldest kids for rides. They enjoy it and it gives me time to spend with them. I took my 11 year old son out tonight. While we were gassing up some guy came up to us and was admiring the S3T. People do that all the time with our Suburban too. My son thinks that it is really cool that we have vehicles that attract attention because they are different from everybody else's here in suburbia. Good hearing from ya. What are you riding? (Message edited by Father on May 27, 2005) | ||
| Kaese |
I had an experience that makes me think twice about going to synthetic oils. Had an S2 with about 10K miles and switched over to Mobil 1. That thing leaked oil out of every orifice known to man after the switch over. In my opinion, do not do it unless it has less than than 2500 miles. Only my opinion. | ||
| Captainkirk |
I spent two weeks in Phoenix for a tech school back in the late '80s- September, and it was hot THEN!!! I'd come out of the hotel, fire up the rental car and crank up the AC full blast, then duck back into the lobby for coffee before venturing forth...hairdryer indeed!  I'm currently riding my M2 most of the time. I occasionally ride my first "real" motorcycle, an '81 Yamaha Seca 550...a stunning blast from the past, if you're into the retro-'80s type bikes. It's a rarity these days, and most of the pictures I've seen on owner-pages on the web look like crap compared to mine. The only problem is, after riding the Buell is, it seems, well, lame. It's a cool bike though, I guess, for it's era. I used to take my son riding everywhere but he grew up on me. I've got him registered for the BRC in August and can hopefully get him started safely riding along with me. Of course, he wants a Buell. | ||
| Captainkirk |
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| Father |
Nice Seca. They were the sport bike of the day back then. I like the 80s vintage bikes too. Two years ago I sold my 1985 Virago. You can ride bikes like that for years and never have any problems. They just keep goin and goin. My 82' Goldwing has almost 70,000 miles, runs great, and doesn't burn or leak any oil. Tech school in the 80s. You must have been in the Air Force. I too have served at Luke. Both on active duty and as a member of the Reserve since the late 80s with the exception of a short stint on the east coast. What kinda bike is your son gonna start with? Eventually I want to get my wife a bike. Thinking about buying her a Blast to learn on. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Father, the blast is the *perfect* beginner bike. My wife learned on one, and is still currently riding one. She loves it. But. she rode both an XB12SCG, and an XB9R in the past month. And now wants an XB9R of her own  | ||
| Captainkirk |
Jeff, No,I wasn't in the military. I was at Garrett for TFE731 turbofan school. (Man, that was a LONG time ago!)One of my riding buddies has a Virago 1100. Not a bad bike for what he's got into it! My rule of thumb is..."All bikes are good". I don't know what my son will get, I'll probably start him on the Seca after BRC and see what he's got a yen for after that. (sigh...they grow up so fast)My wife won't ride...even shotgun...even on my M2.  Just as well, I'd probably scare her anyway. But to second Steve, the Blast! is an excellent bike to learn on. Enough grunt so you're not trailing the pack with really good handling on top of all that. Most new riders get in over their head too quick. The Blast! won't let you get so far ahead of the curve that you'll put a stick in your own spokes. |
