Topic: At least Valvoline is trying to help!

[grcamna2]

How do you know what has zinc and what doesn't? Also ive noticed no foaming in my oil tank with valve line 10-30w. Though she does run a bit warm but I don't have anything to compare it to.

Have you found that 10-30 is too light for your application? especially in NC.

[Oldtech]

I use Honda GN4 in all my bikes. No complaints. Costs me about $6.50 a quart.

[grcamna2]

That's a decent price for GN4

[70CB750]

The nearest Walmart actually carries this Valvoline 20W-50 oil.  I may give it a try next time.

[KC_Northstar]

This isn't an 'oil thread', but a singular on-line product evaluation attempt, by me. 
If you have used this oil, maybe make a comment about it? If not, don't bring up another oil topic, please.

http://www.valvoline.com/products/consumer-products/motor-oil/motorcycle-atv-oil/13

"Normal" Valvoline oils (good for car engines) have long been my personal choice, and I typically get upwards of 300k miles from my engines with it. But, it has always had too much detergent for bikes, making it foam in our SOHC4 engines. Since the EPA started edicting in 2002 that oil makers follow THEIR rules and not [needed] ones, most oils have fallen well short of what we need. Here is the first version I have seen in a long time that is trying to meet the needs: good for wet clutches, has more-than-others zinc, and has anti-foaming agents included. I'll try some out at my 100 mile oil change and report back (if I can find some around here).

...and you can be sure that Valvoline is taking some serious flak from the EPA for selling it...

I am 'shopping' for a new bike oil because the Castrol 4T falls well short of my expectations since they, too, removed the zinc, starting in 2008. It makes the 1-2-3 gearshifting sticky, and the clutch 'grabby', compared to, say, Bel-Ray mineral oils. Problems is: Bel-Ray is hard to find outside of the 9 AM -to-6 PM bike shops, and locally they are gouging over $7 per quart for it. I work 9 AM to 8 PM most days, can't ever GET to a bike shop...and shipping heavy oil makes it closer to $10 per quart. 

This is turning into an 'oil thread'    You might want to read Marks's original posting again.  Especially the first 2 sentences.

[grcamna2]

So far I don't see it getting too technical... 

[jamesbekman]

Yea Valvoline VR1 racing oil is where its at.  I use it in my MGB.  http://www.valvoline.com/products/consumer-products/motor-oil/racing-motor-oil/6/

[Kevin D]

I've been using Valvoline MC oil since 2004, about 20000 miles. I'm a bargain shopper and finding JASO oil at the bigbox store on sale is fine by me. I've seen it at AutoZone and Advance Auto as well.
My experience:
My clutch is not in the best shape, good for normal riding, but just gives up when thrashed. It was much better for quite a while after I deglazed the plates, added Barnett springs, drilled the extra basket holes. I have new friction plates on hand, but I'd rather ride the bike than work on it.
Finding neutral when stopped can be a chore, but this K1 has never been a slick shifter like my K0 was.
Leaks: top end is pretty dry since 2008 rebuild, bottom end maybe a small seep here or there.

I haven't tried a bunch of other stuff to compare.

I've seen Terry's condemnation of Valvoline oil, I'm not doubting him one little bitty bit, but its not my experience.

I saw bwaller's Blackstone labs thread recently. It'd be nice to have a library full of used oil test results, a running history on my bike, and the smarts to understand it all. I might do an end-of-season sample and post  results.

From the Valvoline PDF's: 0.112% zinc for MC oil, 0.083% zinc for conventional automotive oil. Thats more zinc, but not a whole lot more.
VR1 racing (non-JASO) 0.14% zinc

[jamesbekman]

There is conventional and synthetic, obviously conventional for our bikes...

http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/vr1_racing.pdf

-James

[jamesbekman]

Kevin we are talking about Conventional RACING oil not their standard conventional oil.  I think a few other posters are commenting without knowing that as well.  I just want to make it clear for everyone.

[ekpent]

So if I read the spec sheet correctly the VR1 racing oil should not be used in our bikes as it specifies not to use with a wet clutch application.

[flybox1]

So if I read the spec sheet correctly the VR1 racing oil should not be used in our bikes as it specifies not to use with a wet clutch application.

....exactly why I'm interested in the results of HM's test 

[grcamna2]

So if I read the spec sheet correctly the VR1 racing oil should not be used in our bikes as it specifies not to use with a wet clutch application.

I think they have a '4 stroke synthetic' M/C specific oil

[jamesbekman]

Ahhhh got ya.  Yup I was wrong.  Didnt see that part.

[ekpent]

So if I read the spec sheet correctly the VR1 racing oil should not be used in our bikes as it specifies not to use with a wet clutch application.

....exactly why I'm interested in the results of HM's test 

Yep Hondaman is testing the 4 stroke specific motorcycle oil not the VR1 racing oil. Hopefully he will pile some miles on for everybody.

[CoachDoc]

I've been using Valvoline  manufactured synthetic 15W-50 oil from NAPA for the last few years and I love it. Priced below most other synthetics ...........worth a look for sure.

Are you running that with a cb750k? How often do you change your oil being its synthetic?

I'm running that Valvoline/NAPA oil in my '74 550, changing it every 2000 miles whereas I used to change Dino oil every 1K. I also started using it in my Valkyrie and Goldwing. Excellent clutch action with no slippage on all 3 bikes. I bought a bunch of it last year when it was on sale for 4 bucks a quart. Regular price is around $5.50. Not bad price/performance for a full synthetic.

[grcamna2]

I've been using Valvoline  manufactured synthetic 15W-50 oil from NAPA for the last few years and I love it. Priced below most other synthetics ...........worth a look for sure.

Are you running that with a cb750k? How often do you change your oil being its synthetic?

I'm running that Valvoline/NAPA oil in my '74 550, changing it every 2000 miles whereas I used to change Dino oil every 1K. I also started using it in my Valkyrie and Goldwing. Excellent clutch action with no slippage on all 3 bikes. I bought a bunch of it last year when it was on sale for 4 bucks a quart. Regular price is around $5.50. Not bad price/performance for a full synthetic.

CoachDoc,
Can you post a pic of the qt. bottles you're running in your bikes so when I go to Napa I make sure to see it ?  Thanks 

[HondaMan]

Been using that since my engine rebuild.   Good clutch and shifting performance.

KC

I'm thinking that's what this might be about?
Boy, do I miss Castrol XLR... that stuff was the wine that goes with the bread!

[ncstatecamp]

Theres also castrol 4 motorcycle oil that I used, seemed pretty comparable to the Valvoline in price and usage, the only reason I switched was my local place switched...



http://static.pepboys.com/images/productImages/1461100/Castrol-4T-motorcycle-oil-1-liter-20W50.jpg

[CoachDoc]

I've been using Valvoline  manufactured synthetic 15W-50 oil from NAPA for the last few years and I love it. Priced below most other synthetics ...........worth a look for sure.

Are you running that with a cb750k? How often do you change your oil being its synthetic?

I'm running that Valvoline/NAPA oil in my '74 550, changing it every 2000 miles whereas I used to change Dino oil every 1K. I also started using it in my Valkyrie and Goldwing. Excellent clutch action with no slippage on all 3 bikes. I bought a bunch of it last year when it was on sale for 4 bucks a quart. Regular price is around $5.50. Not bad price/performance for a full synthetic.

CoachDoc,
Can you post a pic of the qt. bottles you're running in your bikes so when I go to Napa I make sure to see it ?  Thanks 

Here ya go!

[grcamna2]

CoachD,
You're saying that Napa brand oil is Valvoline ? 

[CoachDoc]

CoachD,
You're saying that Napa brand oil is Valvoline ? 

Not sure if all their oils are Valvoline, but yes this full synthetic 15W-50 definitely is. Ashland is I believe the company name.

[grcamna2]

it says 'Ashland' (co. name) on the back label..,that's a key.

[dhall57]

We deal with NAPA a lot at my work and yes all the NAPA brand oil is Valvoline.

[ncstatecamp]

And they have no friction modifiers or slick agents or any of that jazz?