Last minute rush!!! Is 20W40 oil ok?

**Velox** · 9th December 2005, 23:33

Aaaargh - just checked my oil and there doesn't seem to be much in there and I need to get it sorted by this morning before I head off to the Coast to Coast!!!

I found a thing of Duckham 20W40 (some cheapy brand I'm assuming) - does anyone know if this is ok to top up my engine oil? In saying that, topping it up could mean up to a litre though

Thanks to anyone who can reply to this!

**Dadpole** · 9th December 2005, 23:51

Say anything about friction modifiers or performance enhancement etc. If not then probably OK

EDIT: Just checked. It does have "performance additives", so no good for a bike

**Velox** · 10th December 2005, 00:00

Originally Posted by Dadpole

Say anything about friction modifiers or performance enhancement etc. If not then probably OK

EDIT: Just checked. It does have "performance additives", so no good for a bike

Are you sure? All it says on the label on mine (although it says bugger all) is "A high quality havy duty multigrade oil for use in gasoline and naturally aspirated diesel engines. API classification SF/CC". And that's about it.

Ah - why do I leave it all so late?!!!

**Dadpole** · 10th December 2005, 00:04

Originally Posted by Velox

Ah - why do I leave it all so late?!!!

Because we all do.

The stuff has the additives for certain. I did a quick check with Mobil whe make the stuff. It also has percentage (not stated) of recycled oil.

A small top up would probably be OK though

**Velox** · 10th December 2005, 00:08

Originally Posted by Dadpole

Because we all do.

The stuff has the additives for certain. I did a quick check with Mobil whe make the stuff. It also has percentage (not stated) of recycled oil.

Firstly - cheers for the advice mate.

Secondly - how bad is it to use? If I bung in half a litre is it going to do nasty things to my bike (bearing in mind it is a 14yo 250 so it doesn't need to be treated too well). I need to put something in it and it's either that or harass people very early in the morn to get the proper stuff.

**Dadpole** · 10th December 2005, 00:11

I would go for the harass option first. Get a 1 litre bottle at the servo second. Use the Duckhams third.

**Velox** · 10th December 2005, 00:14

Cool - cheers for all that Dadpole! I might just wait til I get to the petrol stn tomorrow morn to be safe.

**Dadpole** · 10th December 2005, 00:17

Have fun on the coast to coast - while I am stuck here working... and an unregistered bike...

**Motu** · 10th December 2005, 10:30

Deja Vu Velox? Haven't we been here before?

I hope you enjoyed the ride,with some good oil in the bike.The Duckhams would of been fine,20/40 is ok and I doubt it's friction modified,plus you confirmed that.There is a far greater improvement in power and ecconomy by going to a 10/30 or 5/30 than by making a 20/40 more slippery,so you won't find the thicker oils friction modified....the small amount you were going to use would have no effect anyway.

Duckhams is a very old company,and is owned by BP now,just a brand name falling into disuse.Duckhams were one of the few oil companies to do motorcycle specific oils,and in the 70s every motorcyclist had a pan of Duckhams chain lube.This was a flat half height tin like a biscuit tin full of grease - you took off your chain,cleaned it then coiled it into the tin,which you put on an element of the stove to melt the grease,then you took it of the stove and pulled out the chain (on a wire so you didn't burn the finngers) and hung it up to drain into the pan,the grease cooled and was ready for next time.It sent mothers balistic to find this stuff cooking on her stove,and often as you picked up the tin the chain would move to one side,tilting the tin and spilling hot grease!!!! Aren't you glad you are 21st century girl?

History lesson over....

**Eurodave** · 10th December 2005, 10:36

Originally Posted by Motu

Duckhams is a very old company,and is owned by BP now,just a brand name falling into disuse.Duckhams were one of the few oil companies to do motorcycle specific oils,and in the 70s every motorcyclist had a pan of Duckhams chain lube.This was a flat half height tin like a biscuit tin full of grease - you took off your chain,cleaned it then coiled it into the tin,which you put on an element of the stove to melt the grease,then you took it of the stove and pulled out the chain (on a wire so you didn't burn the finngers) and hung it up to drain into the pan,the grease cooled and was ready for next time.It sent mothers balistic to find this stuff cooking on her stove,and often as you picked up the tin the chain would move to one side,tilting the tin and spilling hot grease!!!! Aren't you glad you are 21st century girl?

History lesson over....

Hell yes!!!

when I had my Kwaka Z1-R 20 odd years ago,that was the exact ritual

God, that brings back some fond [& not so fond] memories!!!

**XTC** · 10th December 2005, 12:29

Originally Posted by Motu

Deja Vu Velox? Haven't we been here before?

I hope you enjoyed the ride,with some good oil in the bike.The Duckhams would of been fine,20/40 is ok and I doubt it's friction modified,plus you confirmed that.There is a far greater improvement in power and ecconomy by going to a 10/30 or 5/30 than by making a 20/40 more slippery,so you won't find the thicker oils friction modified....the small amount you were going to use would have no effect anyway.

Duckhams is a very old company,and is owned by BP now,just a brand name falling into disuse.Duckhams were one of the few oil companies to do motorcycle specific oils,and in the 70s every motorcyclist had a pan of Duckhams chain lube.This was a flat half height tin like a biscuit tin full of grease - you took off your chain,cleaned it then coiled it into the tin,which you put on an element of the stove to melt the grease,then you took it of the stove and pulled out the chain (on a wire so you didn't burn the finngers) and hung it up to drain into the pan,the grease cooled and was ready for next time.It sent mothers balistic to find this stuff cooking on her stove,and often as you picked up the tin the chain would move to one side,tilting the tin and spilling hot grease!!!! Aren't you glad you are 21st century girl?

History lesson over....

Yes does bring back memories of doing the chain on my CB400F super sport (god I loved that bike) Thank god for O'ring chains and automatic chain oilers.

**Eurodave** · 10th December 2005, 17:36

Originally Posted by XTC

Yes does bring back memories of doing the chain on my CB400F super sport (god I loved that bike) Thank god for O'ring chains and automatic chain oilers.

Yeah, I had a CB400/4 F2 ,the yellow one with the gold pinstriped tank & pillion pegs on the swingarm, great wee bike!, I geared it up with a 6 teeth smaller back sprocket & carrier off a CB360, 6th then became overdrive & the bike was a lot less frenetic to ride! Those were the days!

**Dadpole** · 10th December 2005, 20:38

Yes. BP not Mobil, but has additives.

http://www.bp.co.nz/business/product...hams_20w40.pdf

**Motu** · 10th December 2005, 21:55

Duh,like every oil has additives,I don't think you'd want oil without additives in your motor! ''performance enhancing additives'' - where do you read friction modified there?

**Zapf** · 10th December 2005, 22:39

Originally Posted by Motu

Deja Vu Velox? Haven't we been here before?

I hope you enjoyed the ride,with some good oil in the bike.The Duckhams would of been fine,20/40 is ok and I doubt it's friction modified,plus you confirmed that.There is a far greater improvement in power and ecconomy by going to a 10/30 or 5/30 than by making a 20/40 more slippery,so you won't find the thicker oils friction modified....the small amount you were going to use would have no effect anyway.

Duckhams is a very old company,and is owned by BP now,just a brand name falling into disuse.Duckhams were one of the few oil companies to do motorcycle specific oils,and in the 70s every motorcyclist had a pan of Duckhams chain lube.This was a flat half height tin like a biscuit tin full of grease - you took off your chain,cleaned it then coiled it into the tin,which you put on an element of the stove to melt the grease,then you took it of the stove and pulled out the chain (on a wire so you didn't burn the finngers) and hung it up to drain into the pan,the grease cooled and was ready for next time.It sent mothers balistic to find this stuff cooking on her stove,and often as you picked up the tin the chain would move to one side,tilting the tin and spilling hot grease!!!! Aren't you glad you are 21st century girl?

History lesson over....

wow

Bring us more! I want to hear...

and thank god for Scott oiler!