More SG oil info

[moscowphil]

The Mobil-1 blurb quoted by Rocker59 raises a few interesting questions - Like it says that the main difference between Mobil-1 bike oil and their car oil is that the bike oil doesn't contain friction modifiers, because bikes share the oil between engine, gearbox and clutch. Er, well mine doesn't actually....... And that the V-twin formulation is great for V-twins because of the problem of cooling the back cylinder. Er, which back cylinder is that then? On this basis I'm sticking to putting car formula Mobil-1 in mine. OK so it's only got 2 wheels, but so far as the engine's concerned, I reckon a Guzzi is more like an air cooled car (Porsche 911 say) than a "typical" (i.e. Japanese) bike.

[tmcafe]

The Mobil-1 blurb quoted by Rocker59 raises a few interesting questions - Like it says that the main difference between Mobil-1 bike oil and their car oil is that the bike oil doesn't contain friction modifiers, because bikes share the oil between engine, gearbox and clutch. Er, well mine doesn't actually....... And that the V-twin formulation is great for V-twins because of the problem of cooling the back cylinder. Er, which back cylinder is that then? On this basis I'm sticking to putting car formula Mobil-1 in mine. OK so it's only got 2 wheels, but so far as the engine's concerned, I reckon a Guzzi is more like an air cooled car (Porsche 911 say) than a "typical" (i.e. Japanese) bike.

True, but see the above posts, e.g.:

 

Cars vs. Guzzis

[Greg Field]

Look; it just isn't that simple. If you think you can get top-tier oil for under $12 US per quart, you just aren't paying attention. Times have changed.

[dlaing]

Greg is generally right, but if you shop around, there are some good deals. Of course we should shop local and give our local dealer an extra few dollars to help keep them in business. But here are some good deals:

 

http://www.solomotoparts.com/product.php?productid=16239

Motul 5100 10W50 or 40 $9 per quart with free shipping if spend over $100

 

On SALE

http://www.sandhillspowersports.com/sandhi...powrsynt1060_06

Has the motorex 10W60 for under $12 US per liter, but you need to spend $175 to get the free shipping

 

http://www.hrpworld.com/index.cfm?form_pro...;action=product

Redline 20W50 (automotive) one dozen quarts shipped for $106

 

and best deal of all, (in my biased opinion) I have been looking for a price like this for a long time:

http://www.phatperformanceparts.com/Produc...ode=M-ULTRA-OIL

Maxima Ultra 5W50 only $11 per liter with free shipping over $99

 

Maxima is San Diego based, I wonder if their warehouse has cash and carry???

 

Check the free shipping fine print, as it may exclude oil....

 

In my opinion all of these oils are worth it. If you are cheap, no excuses, these oils will last longer than most of the competition.

I tried Mobil 1 automotive synthetic once and changed it after 1000miles because I swear that it was the only oil I ever used that the engine ran noisier after the oil change.

[Dimitris]

Putoline 5W50 Full Synthetic Racing.

 

that's what I use.

[Steve G.]

I agree with Greg.

While I'm sure Mr. Roper will at some time chime in calling us silly twats for spending silly money on oil, and expound the use of distilled Yak ear wax, I will continue to use motorcycle specific oil.

 

My current inventory of oil specific to bikes is large, because I have different bikes with different demands on oil. My RC30 demands the best I can find, with extreme heat [3 radiators giving me heat blisters sometimes] , wet clutch, and shared gearbox, this application will kill car oil, even turbo deisel truck [API CC] oils within 300 miles. 3 yrs ago, I caught wind of a retiring ELF Petroleum agent here on the west coast. He had a 2 car garage full to the rafters he was selling off, cash. I purchased enough ELF MOTO 4XT TECH 100% synthetic 10W50 to feed all 7 of my bikes for the next 15 yrs, about 80 litres, purchased for $3.25cdn /litre. That's about 2.05Euro/litre. I think I did ok, as equivalent oil like that is around here is about $13.50/litre now. It's rated JASO MA, API SG, and JASO T903.

I also have some Amzoil 20W50 100% synth., and for my old Norton, I use Castrol 20W50 motorcycle, API Spec SG. And Mobil 1 15W-50 Sythetic [make sure it's got a black cap on the bottle!!!].

Putting in either the ELF, Mobil 1 black cap, or Amzoil is overkill on a Guzzi. The fact that it has a dry clutch, and separate gearbox means the engine has a better chance of avoiding viscosity breakdown.

Steve

[dlaing]

Interesting...

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/genericarti...ntentId=7032644

Castrol Syntec 20W50 for classic cars.

It claims high zinc levels and best of all it is the only oil I have seen warn:

"SYNTEC 20W–50 does not meet the catalyst compatibility requirements of vehicles manufactured since 1993."

AND

"Engineered to increase wear protection for classic cars with flat tappet camshafts."

But if you look on the spec sheet for their 20W50 it says that is SH, SL, SM, etc., but not SG

WTF?

Wish someone would do an independent test on it, and a few of the other oils.

 

Here is some more info from Castrol, that was posted here:

http://www.opelgt.com/forums/6a-engine-mec...et-engines.html

 

Product Recommendations for Flat Tappet (Solid Lifter) Cam Engines:

 

Castrol Syntec 5W-40 (min Zn = 0.10 wt % = 1000 ppm)(full synthetic)

 

Castrol Syntec 20W-50 (Recent reformulation identified by "Recommended for Classic Cars" text on back label) (min Zn = 0.12 = 1200 ppm)(full synthetic) PREFERRED

 

Castrol TWS Motorsport 10W-60 (BMW dealerships) (min Zn = 0.10 = 1000 ppm)(full synthetic)

 

BMW Long Life 5W-30 (BMW dealerships)(min Zn = 0.095 = 950 ppm)(full synthetic)

 

But 0.12 Zn is probably not enough, and the oil is otherwise dubious compared to the true synthetics.

 

Here is a good article flat tappets

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/...appet_cam_tech/

Looks like Penzoil and Quaker State make some racing oils with a better Zinc level.

[fly4hire]

Interesting...

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/genericarti...ntentId=7032644

Castrol Syntec 20W50 for classic cars.

It claims high zinc levels and best of all it is the only oil I have seen warn:

"SYNTEC 20W–50 does not meet the catalyst compatibility requirements of vehicles manufactured since 1993."

AND

"Engineered to increase wear protection for classic cars with flat tappet camshafts."

But if you look on the spec sheet for their 20W50 it says that is SH, SL, SM, etc., but not SG

WTF?

Wish someone would do an independent test on it, and a few of the other oils.

 

Here is some more info from Castrol, that was posted here:

http://www.opelgt.com/forums/6a-engine-mec...et-engines.html

 

Product Recommendations for Flat Tappet (Solid Lifter) Cam Engines:

 

Castrol Syntec 5W-40 (min Zn = 0.10 wt % = 1000 ppm)(full synthetic)

 

Castrol Syntec 20W-50 (Recent reformulation identified by "Recommended for Classic Cars" text on back label) (min Zn = 0.12 = 1200 ppm)(full synthetic) PREFERRED

 

Castrol TWS Motorsport 10W-60 (BMW dealerships) (min Zn = 0.10 = 1000 ppm)(full synthetic)

 

BMW Long Life 5W-30 (BMW dealerships)(min Zn = 0.095 = 950 ppm)(full synthetic)

 

But 0.12 Zn is probably not enough, and the oil is otherwise dubious compared to the true synthetics.

 

Here is a good article flat tappets

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/...appet_cam_tech/

Looks like Penzoil and Quaker State make some racing oils with a better Zinc level.

 

 

Resurrecting a dead horse, Royal Purple Max-Cycle 20w50 per a conversation with one of their engineers is Z 1250 ppm, and P 4500 ppm. Anyone use these with good results? Very popular among Harley riders, but then so is that color among the gay community a large... (disclaimer for the PC - I discriminate against everyone, myself included, equally)

[Flyboy]

This company and it`s products are superb. You will not go wrong.

http://www.amsoil.com/index.aspx

[waspp]

I switched to elf 10w-50 4 xt this year but I don't know about the ZDDP levels if any. Where can these be found? Currently I don't have any bottles in the garage to check. FWIW I have found the oil warehouse pretty good to deal with.

 

http://theoilwarehouse.com/?mainURL=/store...0_Campione.html

[tmcafe]

I switched to elf 10w-50 4 xt this year but I don't know about the ZDDP levels if any. Where can these be found? Currently I don't have any bottles in the garage to check. FWIW I have found the oil warehouse pretty good to deal with.

 

http://theoilwarehouse.com/?mainURL=/store...0_Campione.html

I dont remember any info that specific on the bottle other than about synth base and SG rating. Should be a good oil.

[grossohc]

Thought i would resurrect this thread i am going to change the oil shortly, what oil are you using!!! And does it have a SG rating.

[moscowphil]

I use Mobil 1 15-50. It's 1200 ppm phosphorous and Mobil recommend it for flat tappet applications - see http://www.mobil.com/usa-english/motoroil/files/mobil_1_product_guide.pdf. Mobil 1 v twin formula has an even higher phosphorous content - 1600ppm, but is a 20-50, not a 15-50, but I don't suppose this matters too much unless you do a lot of winter riding. Mobil 1 racing 0w-50 looks even better phosphorous-wise at 1750 ppm, but the blurb says "not recommended for street use". Anyone know why not?

[docc]

High ZDDP (phosphorous) levels are detrimental to catalytic converters ("street use"), which our V11s do not have.

 

I've gone to Lucas SG 20W-50.

 

Don't let anyone tell you the oil doesn't matter . . .

[yamalama]

Thought i would resurrect this thread i am going to change the oil shortly, what oil are you using!!! And does it have a SG rating.

 

I always use Motul 5100, in the V11.

SG rated.