Topic: Oil. No, Really, I need some info.

[tlbranth]

Going to the drunken brawl at Dolores. It'll be 3,000 miles round trip for me (and my roomie). It's going to be HOT. We'll be dodging the monied many mofos who simply HAVE to see the eclipse - because it's almost better than texting. Sooooo, I usually use Delo in my bikes but I'm a bit worried about the distance and the heat. I'm thinking of switching to Rotella synthetic for the trip. I looked at the stuff once and there are several versions. I don't want to end up with slipping clutches. Please tell me the type of Rotella to use.
Not interested in designer motorcycle oils so please don't push them.
Thanks all. Probably won't make it but I'll try.

[Stev-o]

I use Rotella T4 (for diesel motors), get it at Home Depot.  And it's hot down here!

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Formula-Shell-1-Gal-Rotella-T4-Triple-Protection-15W40-550045126/300387920


But the real question is what is the best oil?!

[RAFster122s]

The T6 Rotella is full sythetic and is MA & MA2 compliant which you need for a wet clutch... instead of 15w40 it comes in 5W40.

The T5 is a semi-synthetic and it is NOT MA& MA2 compliant...so, oddly enough they do or do not do something on that blend to make it compliant.

T6 runs around $21-22/gallon
whereas, T4 (conventional dino oil) runs $14/gallon.

You can easily and safely run several 1000 miles on synthetic between changes.
David

[PeWe]

My CB750 gearbox felt better when shifting with 20W-50 than with 10W-40. But that was with Motul mineral oils. The synthetic might be different.

[HondaMan]

Golden Spectro, if you're going to stretch the oil change distance. Bel-Ray EXL if not. Both in 20w50, especially for the heat.

[scottly]

Ask Ofreen what oil he uses in his 158,000 mile 750.

[HondaMan]

Ask Ofreen what oil he uses in his 158,000 mile 750.

Golden Spectro. He's almost converted me!


-Except I am having a hard time finding it here...

[RAFster122s]

Does oil require the ORM-D/limited quantity or similar special handling and added cost for shipping?
Anything with hazardous labeling required and shipping cost gets a add-on of what was it $10-20?
It has to be shipped ground.

So, sometimes Amazon works for some stuff like synthetic oils, as long as you are not shipping large quantities and especially if they offer free shipping.  Otherwise it is best to track down a dealer for the motor oil close to home.  Calls to the company can give you distributors names in your area or stores whom carry their product.

David

[RAFster122s]

Btw, when for giggles I added 4 qts of Golden Spectro 4 20w50 to my Amazon cart, instead of $7.99 as the listing for the oil claimed,  the shipping charges were free, it was $10.99/qt
considering Castrol Racing 4T is $8.99 at local Advance Auto, that is not a bad price.
Bike is going to shift better, clutch work very well, and run nice and there is no fear of the oil not having enough zddp.

[DaveBarbier]

Ask Ofreen what oil he uses in his 158,000 mile 750.

Golden Spectro. He's almost converted me!


-Except I am having a hard time finding it here...

That's what I use too after reading his posts, haha. Luckily I have a place right near me that sells it. Also the company itself is located a couple towns away in CT. I'm going to buy it all and hoard it to myself

[tlbranth]

Hondaman, Ofreen - is that Spectro Golden 4 Semi synthetic? Or full synthetic?

[PeWe]

Semi
http://spectro-oils.com/golden-semi-synthetic/

[ofreen]

Ask Ofreen what oil he uses in his 158,000 mile 750.

Actually, this what I use. Added benefit is it makes it sound like a Harley. 

[RAFster122s]

If the Dolores get together is a drunken brawl we might have trouble ever returning and finding anyplace to go...

[PeWe]

Ask Ofreen what oil he uses in his 158,000 mile 750.

Actually, this what I use. Added benefit is it makes it sound like a Harley. 

Mineral version, right?
http://spectro-oils.com/heavy-duty/

There is a Golden one too Semi
http://spectro-oils.com/heavy-duty-golden-semi-synthetic/

and finally...Platinum  Full synth
http://spectro-oils.com/heavy-duty-platinum-full-synthetic/

The oil I have on the shelf in my garage is Red Line, also a Harley oil

A CB750 can be seen as a twin... 2 pistons strokes in parallel, 1+4 and 2+3 acting as 2 pistons.

[DaveBarbier]

Is there anything special about v-twin oils? Are they wet clutch compatible?

The oil I normally use is the Spectro Golden 4 which is the semi synthetic, but after my initial break in period I'm switching to plain Spectro 4 which has a bunch of zinc and is regular dyno oil.

I like their oils a lot.


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[ofreen]

Mineral version, right?
http://spectro-oils.com/heavy-duty/

Right. I tried Mobil 1 in the 750 once years ago. The engine began weeping oil within 1000 miles so have stayed with conventional oil since.

Is there anything special about v-twin oils? Are they wet clutch compatible?

Nothing that precludes its use in an inline 4 and yes.

[Stev-o]

Ask Ofreen what oil he uses in his 158,000 mile 750.

Actually, this what I use. Added benefit is it makes it sound like a Harley. 

https://www.lowbrowcustoms.com/heavy-duty-20w50-motorcycle-oil-1-qt-bottle.html


"Spectro Heavy Duty Engine Oil is a superior motor lubricant designed specifically for use in American-made Harley® V-Twin engines".

[Detroit350f]

Do you guys really see an improvement from say, Castrol 4T 20w50 to Spectro 20w50?

[DaveBarbier]

Do you guys really see an improvement from say, Castrol 4T 20w50 to Spectro 20w50?

That's actually the exact oil I was using, but in 10w40. I was finding it hard to find neutral when hot and shifting was clunky. Until ofreen offered up what he uses I thought that's just how these bikes were. Now with the Spectro it shifts very smooth and I can easily find neutral anytime. Plus it's got zinc so you don't have to add your own.

My 2¢

[Detroit350f]

Do you guys really see an improvement from say, Castrol 4T 20w50 to Spectro 20w50?

That's actually the exact oil I was using, but in 10w40. I was finding it hard to find neutral when hot and shifting was clunky. Until ofreen offered up what he uses I thought that's just how these bikes were. Now with the Spectro it shifts very smooth and I can easily find neutral anytime. Plus it's got zinc so you don't have to add your own.

My 2¢

I appreciate your 2 cents! I'll have to give that oil a shot. My Cb500 shifts well, but neutral is hard to find... also haven't tried a semi synthetic in my bikes over fear of oil seepage.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

If the Dolores get together is a drunken brawl we might have trouble ever returning and finding anyplace to go...

What's the brawl over?  Oil choice, fork braces, restoration vs. custom??   

[tlbranth]

An update on the Spectro oil:
Couldn't find it locally - tried too.
Finally got it online here:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039OWA0C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It says there's an $8 shipping charge but I ordered 7 qts and there was no tax or shipping.
It got here in a couple of days too.

[HondaMan]

Mineral version, right?
http://spectro-oils.com/heavy-duty/

Right. I tried Mobil 1 in the 750 once years ago. The engine began weeping oil within 1000 miles so have stayed with conventional oil since.

Is there anything special about v-twin oils? Are they wet clutch compatible?

Nothing that precludes its use in an inline 4 and yes.

I tried the Valvoline V-Twin oil in my 750 in 2010. I rode it to work 2 days (8 miles one way) and by the lunchtime ride on the 2nd day I could not shift 2-3 for beans after it warmed up, and absolutely could not reach Neutral while riding. By the time I got home that night, it was impossible to get to Neutral unless I stopped the engine(!). It took a round of Castrol's 4T and some added zinc about 4 days' riding to get my gearbox back to normal. I posted about that incident here, but danged if I can find it again. After that I tried the Mobil 1 and while it really shifted well, it weeped from the tranny cover, oil pan gasket, and finally the cam cover, so I drained it for EXL. The weeping never stopped, though, until I tore it all down for rebuild in 2013. Now it's fine, back on EXL.

[Sigop]

Temps are at 100 here and 90 degrees at 7PM when I take an evening ride.  Have been running wet clutch Valvoline 10W-40 with no leakage but want the thicker oil for the heat. Have only gotten the bike back on the road after several years and changed out the oil, so will replace this new oil after 500 miles. Tried to order some Spectro Golden 4 20W-50 non-synthetic from a cycle shop and they could not get it.  They could get me the Bel-Ray EXL Mineral 4T 20W-50 so will swap that out soon.
Have enjoyed the knowledge sharing in this post.

[DaveBarbier]

Temps are at 100 here and 90 degrees at 7PM when I take an evening ride.  Have been running wet clutch Valvoline 10W-40 with no leakage but want the thicker oil for the heat. Have only gotten the bike back on the road after several years and changed out the oil, so will replace this new oil after 500 miles. Tried to order some Spectro Golden 4 20W-50 non-synthetic from a cycle shop and they could not get it.  They could get me the Bel-Ray EXL Mineral 4T 20W-50 so will swap that out soon.
Have enjoyed the knowledge sharing in this post.

The Spectro Golden 4 comes only in semi synthetic. That may be why you can't order it? The regular Spectro 4 is the non-synthetic you're looking for. Full synthetic is the platinum flavor.

[754]

If the Dolores get together is a drunken brawl we might have trouble ever returning and finding anyplace to go...

Well we just ride aimlessly around the SouthWest, till it get cold up here.. then make a dash for home.

[RAFster122s]

Amazon has a few dealers like tlbranth reported that do not charge shipping or tax, despite the initial info indicating they charge for shipping.
Price per quart is best I have seen.

Fwiw

Yeah Frank, riding about in the SW is fun.  You can't get back before that wedding...

So, is another batch of the frame kits generating the funds for the trip?

David

[Dracon]

So glad I read this thread… Checked on Amazon and they do have the regular Spectro heavy duty for $6.99 a quart and free shipping even though it initially says $7.99 for shipping.

Two questions:

1.) I have a cb750F that I know will start - did it once when I first got her home before I started rewiring and replacing things - but I know nothing else about her. Would there be a reason I shouldn't use the regular heavy duty when I change the oil before I test ride?m

2.) It has a Harley bobber style oil tank mounted in the triangle with a sight gauge on the side - should I just fill until that tank is about 1/2 full, or how would you guys gauge how much oil I should use? I attached a pic to see what I'm talking about.

Thanks

[TwoTired]

The stock bike uses ~ 4 quarts total for tank and filter.
You should run at least that amount total.  More than that is okay.  I wouldn't be comfortable running less than that amount.

Drain all; tank, filter, engine.
Fill with there quarts oil.  Run engine and note sight gauge level. This is the quart low level.
Add another quart.  This is your full level, unless you decide to run with larger capacity.  Adjust level to suit.

Cheers,

[Sigop]

Temps are at 100 here and 90 degrees at 7PM when I take an evening ride.  Have been running wet clutch Valvoline 10W-40 with no leakage but want the thicker oil for the heat. Have only gotten the bike back on the road after several years and changed out the oil, so will replace this new oil after 500 miles. Tried to order some Spectro Golden 4 20W-50 non-synthetic from a cycle shop and they could not get it.  They could get me the Bel-Ray EXL Mineral 4T 20W-50 so will swap that out soon.
Have enjoyed the knowledge sharing in this post.

The Spectro Golden 4 comes only in semi synthetic. That may be why you can't order it? The regular Spectro 4 is the non-synthetic you're looking for. Full synthetic is the platinum flavor.

There you go.  Thank you.

[Bankerdanny]

So glad I read this thread… Checked on Amazon and they do have the regular Spectro heavy duty for $6.99 a quart and free shipping even though it initially says $7.99 for shipping.

Two questions:

1.) I have a cb750F that I know will start - did it once when I first got her home before I started rewiring and replacing things - but I know nothing else about her. Would there be a reason I shouldn't use the regular heavy duty when I change the oil before I test ride?m

2.) It has a Harley bobber style oil tank mounted in the triangle with a sight gauge on the side - should I just fill until that tank is about 1/2 full, or how would you guys gauge how much oil I should use? I attached a pic to see what I'm talking about.

Thanks

Not sure what you mean by regular heavy duty. You can get motorcycle oil at Autozone in both 10-40 and 20-50. I run 10-40 most of the year and only switch out to 20-50 for the very hottest months, and even then only because I spend a lot of time in slow moving traffic. If you spend most of your time over 40-45mph standard 10-40 is fine.

Just make sure you get a motorcycle oil that specifically says it is for wet clutches. The reason we all avoid regular car oil is that the additives in most modern car oils don't play well with the oil bathed clutches in our bikes.

[Dracon]

Not sure what you mean by regular heavy duty.

Sorry, I just meant the "regular" or non synthetic of the 3 different Spectro brand oils - heavy duty(non synthetic), golden(semi synthetic), and platinum(full synthetic).