Author Topic: Shell Rotella Oil - Which? (Read 14436 times)

spiritof67 · « **on:** March 20, 2015, 01:38:41 PM »

I'm planning on running Rotella in my 836cc CB motor, but would like some user advice on which weights/standard or "synthetic" is used on CB motors. I plan on running this machine, not beating it, but it will get revved.

Any advice? I know I won't be using Castrol 20w/50 like in the stone ages....

flybox1 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 20, 2015, 01:46:26 PM »

this might provide some information
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,142794.0.html

spiritof67 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 20, 2015, 02:02:22 PM »

2/3 of the content of this link seems to be a circle jerk about popcorn, when I have the feeling what was requested was information/experience about which oil to use. It's easy for the "experienced" (jaded?) to fluff off a question they think has been asked too often - but doesn't that mean that perhaps the question hasn't been answered authoritatively?

Again, I am planning on using Shell Rotella and I would like some guidance on which weight is preferred. As for CB motors (or any) being neutral about which oil is used, this hasn't been my 50 year experience in cars or motorcycles. Anyone able to offer some guidance here?

05c50 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 20, 2015, 02:08:12 PM »

Without getting into a heated discussion, I'll only say that I've used Rotella 15w40 in my three sohc/4s and my other metric bikes for years without any oil related problems.

..............Paul

RevDoc · « **Reply #4 on:** March 20, 2015, 02:18:40 PM »

Hi, Spirit! I run Rotella 15-40 in both my bikes too. Never had any probs.

You don't list your local on your profile but, if you are anywhere here in the northeast where there is PeP Boys they have it at a reasonable $16/gal price.

Davidov · « **Reply #5 on:** March 20, 2015, 02:26:27 PM »

I 15-40 Rotella for the first few break-in miles on my 750F after a light rebuild.

I switched back to Castrol 4T 20w-50.

spiritof67 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 20, 2015, 02:32:35 PM »

revDoc and OC, thanks a lot. I don't understand why this is such a touch topic, but I appreciate your experiential guidance.

I once used Quaker State 10-30 in my GS1150 (emergency..) and coming into a toll booth after a regular highway speed ride it was smoking from everywhere including up past the gas tank...as soon as I got home and it cooled I drained it out and replaced it with Motul. I don't want to do that with my new 836. And hey, if Costco can (1) save me money and (2) sell me a recommended oil, win-win.....

Stev-o · « **Reply #7 on:** March 20, 2015, 02:55:15 PM »

Just bought some at Auto Zone...

spiritof67 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 20, 2015, 04:09:07 PM »

DH and Steve-O, thanks. I wasn't looking for a dissertation - I wanted user experience. I know that I can and have felt real differences in oils used in my m/c's.

I think I'll be shopping locally for some Rotella T 15w-40.

Garage_guy_chris · « **Reply #9 on:** March 20, 2015, 04:24:27 PM »

Ive run both Rotella T 15w-40 conventional white bottle and Rotella T6 5W-40 synthetic blue bottle on a number of bikes and it seems to work reasonably well. Its not gonna be the worst but its not gonna be the best either. Overall I don't see why it wouldn't work alright on a 750.

Hondaman does recommend 20w-50 for 750's in general and up here in Canada Rotella T 15w-40 conventional white bottle is up to $30.00 for a 5 liter jug and Rotella T6 5W-40 synthetic blue bottle is up to $48.00 and for that kind of money I can take my pick at a huge range of recommended 20w-50 motorcycle specific oils so for this riding season Im gonna give some of my other options a try.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2015, 05:12:12 PM »

+1 Garage Guy...I have used Rotella alot because it is cheap and available locally. All my cb750's seem to run and shift much smoother with a quality mc rated non synthetic 20w50. Seems like the Rotella starts out good but wears out way to fast. I really think the Rotella is perfectly adequate, but the engine and trans just feel "harsher".

BobbyR · « **Reply #11 on:** March 20, 2015, 05:22:36 PM »

Quote from: spiritof67 on March 20, 2015, 02:02:22 PM

2/3 of the content of this link seems to be a circle jerk about popcorn, when I have the feeling what was requested was information/experience about which oil to use. It's easy for the "experienced" (jaded?) to fluff off a question they think has been asked too often - but doesn't that mean that perhaps the question hasn't been answered authoritatively?

Again, I am planning on using Shell Rotella and I would like some guidance on which weight is preferred. As for CB motors (or any) being neutral about which oil is used, this hasn't been my 50 year experience in cars or motorcycles. Anyone able to offer some guidance here?

Once you have been around here for a while. You can see Oil threads that go on for a week or more. It is like Religion.
My advice, try different oils like Rotella, Delvac, Castrol etc. For some unknown reason individual bikes shift smoother or less smoothly with a particular brand.
All of them will lubricate the moving parts.

ofreen · « **Reply #12 on:** March 20, 2015, 05:27:01 PM »

It is not Rotella, and I would never be foolish enough to claim it is the best motorcycle oil, but I have been using Spectro conventional oil for the last 88,000 miles in the 750, which is going to turn over 150,000 original miles in 60 more. So I don't know if it is the best, but it must be pretty good.

reddyvv · « **Reply #13 on:** March 20, 2015, 05:39:31 PM »

I don't know anything about Shell Rotella but its well known that it isn't generally a good idea to use car oils with motorcycle wet clutches as the additives can cause clutch slip. Plus motorcycle engines operate at much higher rpms and load than car engines. That being said if you wanted to use Shell wouldn't something from the Shell Advance line be more prudent to use since they are designed for bikes? They are available in a range of weights.

https://www.shell.com/global/products-services/on-the-road/oils-lubricants/motorcycles/find-right-bike-oils/4-stroke-engine-oils.html

scottly · « **Reply #14 on:** March 20, 2015, 05:54:45 PM »

Rotella is diesel oil, which contains a very high level of detergent. The reason vintage vehicle owners started using it was because it still had a decent amount of zinc, while automotive oils had the zinc content reduced to prevent fouling of the O2 sensors in modern cars.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #15 on:** March 21, 2015, 12:25:07 AM »

Quote from: reddyvv on March 20, 2015, 05:39:31 PM

I don't know anything about Shell Rotella but its well known that it isn't generally a good idea to use car oils with motorcycle wet clutches as the additives can cause clutch slip. Plus motorcycle engines operate at much higher rpms and load than car engines. That being said if you wanted to use Shell wouldn't something from the Shell Advance line be more prudent to use since they are designed for bikes? They are available in a range of weights.

https://www.shell.com/global/products-services/on-the-road/oils-lubricants/motorcycles/find-right-bike-oils/4-stroke-engine-oils.html

Its really got nothing to do with just being car oils, its any oil with friction modifiers in it, teflon and similar additives make the wet clutch the honda's use slip, even some modern type motorcycle oils aren't good to use on these old bikes. Look for an oil with a good amount of Zinc in it as Scott pointed out

70CB750 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 21, 2015, 02:42:27 AM »

Your bike, your choice, but 20W50 is the weight you want to use. You can step down to 15w40 for winter riding and also good idea is to use zddp additive.

For instance Valvoline 20w50 dino.

Johnie · « **Reply #17 on:** March 21, 2015, 06:25:13 AM »

Gosh, it sounds like no one uses the 10w40 as recommended in the manual. Just to thin for these 750's?

Proto · « **Reply #18 on:** March 21, 2015, 06:52:54 AM »

Yeah Johnie, I too wondered about everyone not using the 10-40! Back in the '70's, dad and I used Penzoil 10-40 in our K1 and K4's. No problems down there in southern NM. Now jump forward 3 decades and it seems that was probably the worst oil we could have used! Of course, oils have probably changed since then. After discovering this forum when I got my F1 a few years ago, I have switched to the Rotella 15-40 and have put 19,000 miles on this old bike with no problems. Started out with the Penzoil 10-40 in the F1 the first year with out issue, but feel better mentally with the Rotella after reading so many oil threads here.

guitarkev66 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 21, 2015, 06:56:38 AM »

I prefer Bel-Ray 20w-50 exl . But at $30 for a 4L jug its a bit more than Rotella 15w40.

flybox1 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 21, 2015, 07:10:57 AM »

Quote from: guitarkev66 on March 21, 2015, 06:56:38 AM

I prefer Bel-Ray 20w-50 exl . But at $30 for a 4L jug its a bit more than Rotella 15w40.

+1

dhall57 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 21, 2015, 07:14:19 AM »

Quote from: Johnie on March 21, 2015, 06:25:13 AM

Gosh, it sounds like no one uses the 10w40 as recommended in the manual. Just to thin for these 750's?

When I got back into the sohc4 world in 2009 I used 10w40 just like I did back in the 70's and recommended in the owners man. But took Hondamans advice shortly after finding this forum and switched to 20w50. I figured he knew a little more about these bikes than I did

Johnie · « **Reply #22 on:** March 21, 2015, 07:34:15 AM »

Hall...what made you go with the 20w50 vs the 15w40 others are using? Maybe I will give it a switch and try it out. I have been getting the Suzuki 10w40 from my Honda dealer at $6 / quart from bulk. I don't put a lot of miles on each bike as I do ride them all through the summer. I think by the time the riding season is over the 10w40 has not broke down much.

bwaller · « **Reply #23 on:** March 21, 2015, 08:07:24 AM »

If you are using an oil cooler and aren't in the deep south, 10W-40 is probably the right choice.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 21, 2015, 10:14:01 AM »

Not sure what he has as hard evidence, but I am pretty sure Hondaman claims that the 10w40 recommendation in the manual is an error, and from my experience, I would agree. 10w40 is for collllllldddddd temperatures. How many here even consider getting the bike out when temperatures are below 40? (oh yeahh, mainly talking about 750's here, for smaller bikes guys I think 10w40 works fine)
I don't really know why I am even posting in this thread, as all this stuff has been posted a zillion times. If these engines have oil, they keep running. If they don't, they die really fast. And there are a million shades of grey in between these two extremes based on exactly what you dump in your tank/crankcase.

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Author Topic: Shell Rotella Oil - Which? (Read 14436 times)