The good oil

[vifferman]

OK...well now I'm just confused.....................

Here's what I get from the various postings: use any old oil but change it often, mineral or semi-synthetic, use synthetic, use Mobil 1, use Silkolene......geez, I don't know!!! I am thinking in the middle: semi-synthetic, say 15-50 (since older bike with higher kms), reputable dedicated motorcycle oil, changing frequently. That should cover all the bases. What do ya reckon?

Yeah, cover all the bases, and mix up a 'home brew' of Mobil1, Silkolene, mineral, synthetic and semi-synthetic, change it weekly, and you should be right!
Better still, weld a 20L can to the bike, and run a total-loss lubrication system! It can't get hot if it doesn't stay in the engine long.

[jrandom]

Yeah, cover all the bases, and mix up a 'home brew' of Mobil1, Silkolene, mineral, synthetic and semi-synthetic, change it weekly, and you should be right!

I think he should use Militec.

[vifferman]

I think he should use Militec.

Is that some miltary-spec erl, like their J8 or JP8 (or whateverthehellitis) fuel?
I read last year that the US military now had all their vehicles (including converted Kawasaki 'dual sports' bikes) able to run on this. (They should convert all their vehicles to run on used takeaway fryer grease...)

By the way - I noticed the other day when spraying CRC5-56 or whateverthehellitis all over the place that it had "conforms to US Military spec blah blah and Aus mil spec blather blather" on the can. wow. )

[jrandom]

Is that some miltary-spec erl, like their J8 or JP8 (or whateverthehellitis) fuel?
I read last year that the US military now had all their vehicles (including converted Kawasaki 'dual sports' bikes) able to run on this. (They should convert all their vehicles to run on used takeaway fryer grease...)

By the way - I noticed the other day when spraying CRC5-56 or whateverthehellitis all over the place that it had "conforms to US Military spec blah blah and Aus mil spec blather blather" on the can. wow. )

Militec's just a synthetic lube. Good for firearms. Some merkin types prefer it to standard CLP. I use it on my guns now, but then my requirements aren't exactly strenuous. It doesn't protect from rust very well, but squirting a couple of drops into the action of anything that's not cycling well is usually a guaranteed fix.

I have *no* idea what would happen if you put it in an engine. Probably nothing good. I was just being flippant.

I really want one of those converted military diesel Kawasakis, though.

[Edit: OK, the Militec website recommends dumping it into primary engine lubricant. The fact that enough of it to fill a bike engine would probably cost several hundred dollars indicates that it might not have been intended for use *as* a primary lubricant, though.]

[kerryg]

You buggers are no help.............

[vifferman]

You buggers are no help.............

Sorry, Dude. Go to any forum, and you'll find flame wars about this topic, as it seems to be an entirely subjective opinion as to what is good / not good.
Apart from the cheapies or recycled oil, I think most oils are pretty good now. But try doing a Google on this. Here's what I found by searching on "motorcycle oil breakdown tests":
http://pacific.telebyte.com/allanw/b...fo/oilfaq.html

http://www.eric-gorr.com/techarticle..._june_1999.htm

http://www.angelfire.com/ia/z/FZ1oilposts.htm

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Oils1.html (this is a goodun)

http://www.airheads.org/index.php?Te...l%20Discussion

If you do a search yourself, avoid all the "tests" by the oil companies themselves, or peple associated with them, like Amsoil.

[FROSTY:Me]

Ill stick to motul semi synthetic. As much as anything because I like the smell as it heats up.

[Motu]

You buggers are no help.............

Everyones too scared to come out and say what to do cause some expert will come out of the woodwork rubbishing them and providing 4 websites proving their shit is really crap to back up their claim.People like me who are anal about oil only use the best and swear by it - but in reality,and I'm in a postion to back this up - nothing will make your engine last longer than regular oil changes with a supermarket oil.In 35 yrs of pulling engines apart the cleanest I've ever seen was a 335,000km Telstar with pistons still shiny like new,crank and rods just clean grey cast iron - ex Telecom,regular maintenance with BP Viso 3000.Oil won't make your engine last longer - all the high mileage engines are run non stop,preferably at constant speed....going Auck/Wellington day in day out your motor will last 3 times as long as a commuter in city traffic.

[vifferman]

Oil won't make your engine last longer - all the high mileage engines are run non stop,preferably at constant speed....going Auck/Wellington day in day out your motor will last 3 times as long as a commuter in city traffic.

The very reason we had few qualms buying a high-mileage Pajero a few years ago, that had been driven back and forth between Nelson and Christchurch, clocking up 100,00km in less than 2 years. The motor was still in reasonable knick when we sold it with 250,000 on the odometer, but the mileage did take a toll on the suspension, steering, and drivetrain.

[What?]

- nothing will make your engine last longer than regular oil changes ...

Egg zucking factly.

[gav]

Back when I was working in a Honda bike shop I read a report that had been comissioned by Blue Wing Honda where oil had been tested by a lab for wear etc, bearing in mind that at the time all the Honda warranty books had Castrol adverts on them the top performing oils were Mobil1 fully synthetic m/c oil and Motul 300V.
('Course if its for a Honda you need REPSOL oil preferrably with free stickers )