Topic: To use Synthetic oil or not to use Synthetic Oil is the question?

[neurotoxin312]

Hey guys,
So I've been hearing a lot about the use of synthetic motorcycle oil for the Honda CB's and how they will cause your clutch to wear faster, etc...I wanted to get a better idea of this situation. I will be changing my oil very soon and would really like to know what to do about this. I currently have 6 quarts of Castrol 06078 Power RS 10W-40 Synthetic 4-Stroke Motorcycle Oil lined up and ready to roll, but having second thoughts since reading some of the things about synthetic oil. Should I use or no? If not, can you recommend something good for a 76' CB 550. Thanks in advance.

[bjbuchanan]

Tons of myths about oil in existence. Bottom line is make damn sure it's for wet clutches and if possible of some 'old' style formulation, no clean machine oil

I have used rotalla syn and have no complaints so I guess my bike violates the laws of shade tree physics then?

[xluckx]

+1 on the rotella for my 72 cb500

[rtbmrgl]

+1 on the rotella for my 72 cb500

Me too, for all bikes, CB500, CB750 and vstrom

[goldarrow]

I'm subscribed in this oil thread and watching with interest. 

[Wobbly]

I use nothing but full synthetic oil since first service back in 1977.
I only replaced my clutch last year and for the first time--just because I wanted to use up all the new parts I had stacked away--before I drop dead.
Draw your own conclusions.
This is oil thread # 174 in this forum.

[flatlander]

i use motorex topspeed 4t 10w40, simply coz that's what my local bike shop has in stock. it's synthetic and i've been using it in the 550 over about 18k km. everything's fine so far.
some say that all sorts of accumulated crud can come loose when switching from mineral to synthetic but i haven't noticed anything like that. maybe i've just been lucky...

[PeWe]

I used Castrol 4T Mineral oil 20W-40 and 50 during the first 1000km (new pistons) Clutch issues forced me to find something better. I tried additional ZDDP but with too small improvement, the oil should work from the very begining.

I use syntethic, Red Line Motor cycle oil 20W-50 with plenty of zinc....Clutch is now much better. Much less of drag when cold, not finding neautral when hot. I think it will disappear by time and the driven distance.
I'll continue with Red Line until I find something equal to test

[Stev-o]

I'm subscribed in this oil thread and watching with interest. 

+1....and going to check popcorn supply.....

[ekpent]

I'm subscribed in this oil thread and watching with interest. 

+1....and going to check popcorn supply.....

Steve, grab me a six pack while your at the store please----
According to their propaganda it looks like they are shooting for the big twin and Harley crowd with their oil but say safe for all bikes. There are different grades of synthetic, some are more motorcycle safe.
   Better make that a 12 pack Steve   
http://www.castrol.com/en_us/united-states/products/motorcycles-and-scooters/engine-oils/power-rs-product-page.html

[Wobbly]

http://www.castrol.com/en_us/united-states/products/motorcycles-and-scooters/engine-oils/power-rs-product-page.html

Not really new, right? Looks like what I was using over 30 years ago--only then it was called Castrol Formula RS.

[Deltarider]

I see all the popcorn jokers are gathering here again. It always amazes me. Just don't let it get to your head, guys.

[MCRider]

I used Castrol 4T Mineral oil 20W-40 and 50 during the first 1000km (new pistons) Clutch issues forced me to find something better. I tried additional ZDDP but with too small improvement, the oil should work from the very begining.

I use syntethic, Red Line Motor cycle oil 20W-50 with plenty of zinc....Clutch is now much better. Much less of drag when cold, not finding neautral when hot. I think it will disappear by time and the driven distance.
I'll continue with Red Line until I find something equal to test

Did you use Castrol MC 20W-50?

[lrutt]

Go to Wally World and get the Quicksilver 20w50 MC oil they have. $24 a gallon and it's syn.  Works good in my stuff.

[PeWe]

I used Castrol 4T Mineral oil 20W-40 and 50 during the first 1000km (new pistons) Clutch issues forced me to find something better. I tried additional ZDDP but with too small improvement, the oil should work from the very begining.

I use syntethic, Red Line Motor cycle oil 20W-50 with plenty of zinc....Clutch is now much better. Much less of drag when cold, not finding neautral when hot. I think it will disappear by time and the driven distance.
I'll continue with Red Line until I find something equal to test

Did you use Castrol MC 20W-50?

https://www.castrolmoto.com/en/products/actevo.php

[Jo3f1sh]

I'm using Silkolene 10W40 Comp-4 4T Semi-Synth in my 350F, but I'm noticing some clutch slippage when warm or after a long ride. I tossed in some Zinc, but didn't seem to help. Was thinking of switching to Bel-Ray or possibly a heavier weight?

http://www.amazon.com/Silkolene-Comp-4-4T-Oil-65135900055/dp/B000GZMAQG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415655361&sr=8-1&keywords=silkolene+comp+4

[Mooshie]

Pass the popcorn please?  And what happened to the popcorn icon?  Didn't someone have that--

[Stev-o]

Pass the popcorn please? 

Here ya go, Mooshie....

[socal1200r]

Guess I'm bucking the trend here, but I plan on using regular old dino oil in my '79 CB650 and my '87 Cagiva 650.  If I change the oil/filter every 5000 miles or 12 months anyway, I don't think the synthetic stuff is worth the extra money.  I'm not really brand specific either, more concerned about getting the right weight (probably 10w40 now that it's getting colder, 20w50 for the warmer temps).  My thinking is that synthetic oil wasn't really common back when these bikes were built, manufacturing tolerances aren't as tight or synthetic oil friendly as they are now, so I'm sticking with dino oil.

[Whaleman]

After 4+ decades of Castrol 20w-50 I am switching (per Hondaman) to the Valvoline 4-stroke motorcycle oil 20w-50 DINO. I also add zinc. Dan

[Wobbly]

If I change the oil/filter every 5000 miles or 12 months anyway, I don't think the synthetic stuff is worth the extra money.

Actually, the Honda maintenance schedule requires an oil change every 3,000 miles--which is exactly why I switched to synthetic oil because some of my trips were  much longer than that.

[dave500]

oil threads make me as sick as a #$%*ing dog!

or is that just too much popcorn?

[PeWe]

Wrong oil will harm the engine which will cost much more than expensive oil.
I'll change at earliest 5000km's (~3100miles).
In the 80's I had holiday trips that were about 6000km's. Oil change at about 8000km's

[Spade]

no clean machine oil

You mean no high-detergent oil (like, err... Rotella lol)?

[Stev-o]

To zinc or not to zinc? That is the question.