| Author |
Message |
    
Brucelee
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 10:50 am: | 
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According to both the Motor Oil Bible and the tests done by Motorcycle Mag a few years back, the MC oil makers claims are pure bogus. I use Mobil 1 Redcap CAR OIL.
Works perfectly. |
Starter
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 05:46 pm: |
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I had the HD Sport Trans Gear Oil analyzed for what type of oil it is and I got some surprising results. It is not a GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil! It is actually a Hydraulic Fluid, as used in tractors, with extra additives: EP (Extreme Pressure) and Friction Modifiers for the wet clutch.
I was under the impression friction modifier were bad news for wet clutches. |
Johnnylunchbox
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 09, 2005 - 03:15 pm: |
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Shell Rotella T 5W40...SYNTHETIC!!! You can get it for 13 dollars per gallon at WalMart. I run it in all my motorcycles. In my opinion you cannot get anything better for that price.
Read all about oils here.
http://www.advanceautoparts.com/english/youcan/html/ccr/ccr20010101ov.html |
Brucelee
| | Posted on Thursday, March 10, 2005 - 09:42 am: |
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Based on your manual, you need a 20-50 grade. Perhaps in winter, but are you not worried about summer heat and your engine?
"Shell Rotella T 5W40...SYNTHETIC!!! You can get it for 13 dollars per gallon at WalMart. I run it in all my motorcycles. In my opinion you cannot get anything better for that price." |
Johnnylunchbox
| | Posted on Thursday, March 10, 2005 - 11:01 am: |
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Summer is relative. Summer heat here in the northeast is rarely higher than 80 degrees. A 40 weight oil is going to provide plenty of viscosity for those kinds of temperatures or even higher. When it gets too hot out, I sit on my boat
If you are referring to the 5W part being too low, that is only designating cold temp viscosity.
I did not read anywhere in the manual that said you need to exclusively use 20W50. I will look again however. |
Captainkirk
| | Posted on Friday, March 11, 2005 - 12:10 am: |
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My manual ('99M2) says: "SAE 10W40 BELOW 40 degrees F, SAE 20W50 ABOVE 40 degrees F" (for MULTIVIS oils) which pretty much settles it for me...riding below 40 degrees ain't a whole lotta fun! |
Johnnylunchbox
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 - 10:22 am: |
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Captainkirk - I believe they are talking about ease of starting at above or below 40 degrees.
I looked at the owner's manual (2004 XB12R) again and have not seen where it says I have to run 20W50 exclusively. |
Captainkirk
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 01:05 am: |
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You're right in that respect...once the oil's warmed up it doesn't much care about the OAT (UNLESS you're running a cooler...but that's a story for another day). The things to worry about are 1) getting it started at slower cranking speed without fouling the plugs, and 2) getting lubrication to the lifters and bearings in the critical first sixty seconds the engine's running.(pancakes, anyone?) |
Brucelee
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 10:43 am: |
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I would suggest that if you are running W40 oil in the summer in NE, you are not doing your engine any good at all. Engine oil temps in summer can get quite high indeed.
In winter, the 5W-40 would be fine I think.
I live in CA where we never see under 50, so I run 20-50 all year long. |
Johnnylunchbox
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 05:21 pm: |
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Bruce - one could argue that the different flow properties of a slightly lighter oil would assist cooling. I may be wrong about that.
I'm still looking for the Ambient temp range chart vs. recommended oil weights and when I find it I'll post it.
P.S. Don't you love oil threads!!! |
Brucelee
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 - 08:25 pm: |
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"Bruce - one could argue that the different flow properties of a slightly lighter oil would assist cooling. I may be wrong about that."
A lower viscosity oil WILL create less friction and hence contribute less heat on its own. However, the trade off is the ability to protect the engine against damage. Using your theory, you should run 10 weight oil as it will contribute far less friction that say a 50 weight oil.
Obviously, no one recommends that. I would argue that following the manufacturers rec on viscosity is prudent, wouldn't you agree? |
Johnnylunchbox
| | Posted on Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 10:53 am: |
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Bruce - you are talking about an extreme difference between 10 to 50. 50 to 40 is not that bad. I agree that it couldn't hurt to run 20W50 in the summer, all I am saying is that the 5W40 will perform just as well except for at the extreme high end of the ambient temperature continuum. I still have not seen anywhere in my XB12R manual that says I have to run 20W50. |
