Author Topic: What motor oil should I use?  (Read 5259 times)

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline HawaiiMike

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 238
    • Hawaii realtor
What motor oil should I use?
« on: October 10, 2009, 10:30:12 PM »
What is your recommendation for motor oil?  I have a '76 CB550F.

Thanks, Mike

Offline Frankenkit

  • Industrial Strength
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,525
  • 2012 CBR250R, 72 CL350, Member #4600
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2009, 10:35:02 PM »
OH NO YOU DIDN'T! :o
"Moderation in all things - especially moderation. Too much moderation is excessive. The occasional excess is all part of living the moderate life."
2012 CBR250R "Black Betty"
1980 CB650c- (sold) Delilah
1973 CL350- Lola?
Sweet, bubbly, Buddha - Say it ain't so!!!
Stuff for sale

Offline Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er

  • This MuthaF'er is getting to be a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,916
  • Bought her new 4/75
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2009, 10:58:23 PM »
Oh geez, you're not going to do this to us are you?!

Lock it quick!
As of today 3/13/2012 my original owner 75 CB750F has made it through 3 wives, er EX-wives. Free at last.  ;-)

Offline Deltarider

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,132
  • ... but some animals are more equal than others.
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2009, 11:55:07 PM »
Just any old cooking oil.

Check it at What good is for a Honda Supercub (over 40.000.000 sold) is good enough for mine.
CB500K2-ED Excel black
"There is enough for everyone's need but not enough for anybody's greed."

Offline Honda?

  • Made in the Midwest
  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 160
  • BEER!
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #4 on: October 11, 2009, 12:12:22 AM »
SWEET JESUS WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!!?!?!?!?!?

I have a 1970 CB350 SS, 1988 NT650(Hawk GT), 2004 BMW R1100S

Qingdao

  • Guest
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #5 on: October 11, 2009, 12:31:31 AM »
I think he means "what weight"... 10-40.

Offline HawaiiMike

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 238
    • Hawaii realtor
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #6 on: October 11, 2009, 01:13:06 AM »
What the *%#@ are these responses?  I don't have a Supercub so cooking oil won't work.

All I want to know is what brand of oil you recommend?
« Last Edit: October 11, 2009, 01:21:29 AM by HawaiiMike »

Offline lordmoonpie

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,053
  • Feal the Fear and do it anyway...
    • Moonpie
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #7 on: October 11, 2009, 03:18:12 AM »
I think he means "what weight"... 10-40.
Yeah - about 3.2 kilogrammes should do it....someone pass the popcorn :D
1994 Ducati 888 SP5
1951 Ducati 50cc Cucciolo
1981 Yamaha XV750 SE

Offline bucky katt

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,564
  • i am a pastafarian!
    • facebook
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #8 on: October 11, 2009, 06:04:58 AM »
HM. you might have noticed that an oil thread brings out the worst in folks  :D  there are as many opinions about what oil to use as there are types of oil. i personaly use shell rotella t non synthetic. really, any oil that is high enough in zinc comment that does not have any friction modifiers in it should be ok for out vintage hondas with the wet clutch.
Of all God's creatures there is only one that cannot be made the slave of the lash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat.
Mark Twain - Notebook, 1894

Offline Gordon

  • Global Moderator
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *****
  • Posts: 12,114
  • 750K1, 550K2
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #9 on: October 11, 2009, 06:33:09 AM »
What the *%#@ are these responses?  I don't have a Supercub so cooking oil won't work.

All I want to know is what brand of oil you recommend?

Use the search function from the main page and then pick whichever opinion you like the most. 

Offline Kevin400F

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 600
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #10 on: October 11, 2009, 06:47:07 AM »
How much do you want to spend, how far do you ride the bike per year, what is the climate where you live, how hard do you ride the bike (street, race, etc.), how close do you live to a Honda shop, a WalMart or other convenient source for your oil purchases, do any of your friends or relatives work for an oil company and get a discount, what is your favorite color?..... blah blah blah.......

Offline MCRider

  • Such is the life of a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,376
  • Today's Lesson: One good turn deserves another.
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #11 on: October 11, 2009, 06:51:09 AM »
What the *%#@ are these responses?  I don't have a Supercub so cooking oil won't work.

All I want to know is what brand of oil you recommend?

Oh you poor newbie. Oil threads are the bane of EVERY motorized forum, often degenerating into the most vicious of flamings and hate mail.

Here we have ingeniously recognized the fact and so turn it into levity as quickly as possible, rather than be drawn into the cesspool drain.
Ride Safe:
Ron
1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline CycleRanger

  • No comment about being an
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,440
  • Central Texas Shop Manual Advocate
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #12 on: October 11, 2009, 07:29:00 AM »
What the *%#@ are these responses?  I don't have a Supercub so cooking oil won't work.

All I want to know is what brand of oil you recommend?

Use the search function from the main page and then pick whichever opinion you like the most. 

Guffaw!  :D

My bike came with oil already in it.....
Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
https://www.honda4fun.com/materiale/documentazione-tecnica
CB750K5        '79 XL250s     CL350K3
CB750K3        '76 XS650      '76 CJ360T

Offline Johnie

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,610
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #13 on: October 11, 2009, 07:30:21 AM »
Yah, don't take offense Mike. The guys are just funnin' ya'. As said, every so often a new member asks that question and you have to understand everyone has a different oil, weight, spec, etc. that they follow. Those threads get long and just go on and on. As you spend time here you will see it happen again. In all honesty go to the FAQ area and there is a oil thread there you can look at. Then make up your mind on what fits you best. Then next time you see a new guy ask that question, you can sit back and enjoy the fun. Welcome to the forum Mike...
1970 CB750K0 - Candy Ruby Red
1973 CB750K3 - Candy Bacchus Olive or Sunflake Orange
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS396 - Cortez Silver
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow

Oshkosh, WI  USA

Offline wrenchmuch

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 698
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #14 on: October 11, 2009, 07:58:45 AM »
Make sure to look up oil coolers while your thinking about oil . Cooler threads are just as much fun as oil threads . Change your oil often and put the used stuff in your lawn mower . ;)
CB750K1
CB750K4

Offline bucky katt

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,564
  • i am a pastafarian!
    • facebook
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #15 on: October 11, 2009, 08:10:34 AM »
oil threads are as popular as gun and political threads ;D
Of all God's creatures there is only one that cannot be made the slave of the lash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat.
Mark Twain - Notebook, 1894

Offline MCRider

  • Such is the life of a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,376
  • Today's Lesson: One good turn deserves another.
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #16 on: October 11, 2009, 08:30:35 AM »
SNIP

Change your oil often and put the used stuff in your lawn mower . ;)

Now THERE's a good idea!
Ride Safe:
Ron
1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er

  • This MuthaF'er is getting to be a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,916
  • Bought her new 4/75
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #17 on: October 11, 2009, 10:12:55 AM »
Mike,

It's not that we don't wish to help you but OIL topics are nothing more than pissing contests here and elsewhere. Kinda like the opinions/#$%*s thing. Goes on forever and no one agrees. Seems the main thing with modern oil is the zinc (top end lubricant for flat tappets ie non roller cams) has been removed which is not good for cams, etc due to increased wear. Then there is the wet clutch issues and how some oils negatively affect that. Then there is the synthetic oil arguement. Might be best to just go to your local Honda dealer and ask them what that have that is now appropriate. 

Don't know what is best for you. I use Castrol GTX 20w-50 currently. However I am about to spend $6,000 on a rebuilt engine soon and will probably rethink that. I can report back in with top end wear info when I tear into my engine that has 30,000 hard miles with 24,000 miles on the Yoshimura kit.   
As of today 3/13/2012 my original owner 75 CB750F has made it through 3 wives, er EX-wives. Free at last.  ;-)

Offline TwoTired

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 21,805
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #18 on: October 11, 2009, 12:10:13 PM »
It's hard to understand why you think this forum has better understanding and knowledge about engine oil than the manufacturer of the machine you wish to drive.

In other words, use the oil that Honda recommends for the Honda machine you own.  It's right there in the owner's manual.  Why would you think it doesn't apply?  If you don't have the owner's manual, it says to use 10W-40.  Personally, I would avoid modern auto formulations, that say "energy conserving" on the label, as they have additives that weren't intended for wet clutches, and they have removed the zinc (for catalytic convert reasons) that Honda assumed would be in the oil back in the 70's.

For ease of selection, buy oil from a Honda dealer.
For wider availability, almost any oil labeled for motorcycle use will be fine (in the weight specified).

For experimentation or replicating other's experimentation/suggestion for oil, use whatever you want.



Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline HawaiiMike

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 238
    • Hawaii realtor
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #19 on: October 11, 2009, 02:11:46 PM »
Jerry, Castrol GTX 20-50w sounds great, thank you!

Two Tired, I don't have an owners manual and figured there might be something better suited to a 33-year old bike than what the manufacturer suggested way back when.

Aloha, Mike
« Last Edit: October 11, 2009, 02:16:02 PM by HawaiiMike »

Offline bender01

  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,859
  • "Follow the leader.He's on a Honda"
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #20 on: October 11, 2009, 07:30:56 PM »
I use Honda GN-4 10w-40. Its $27 a gallon but i dont worry that its not the correct oil.

 Oil price @ $23

  cost of not worrying = priceless
75 550 K1
74 750 K4
1968 450 K1 Super Sport
74 750k 836 project
http://www.bikepics.com/members/bender01/
So, the strategy is to lie to people you are asking for help?

I think I'll be busy going for a ride.

Good luck!
Two Tired Quote !

Offline MJL

  • Don't listen to me, I'm no
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,162
  • Oh hell, what's one more bike?
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #21 on: October 11, 2009, 08:16:32 PM »
oil threads are as popular as gun and political threads ;D
And tires.
No matter how fast or how far I rode, I couldn't leave her memory behind.

Offline mick7504

  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,740
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #22 on: October 11, 2009, 08:37:18 PM »
And how to create the longest threads known to mankind ;D ;D
If I was you
I'd be worried about me.

Offline jbailey

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 304
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #23 on: October 11, 2009, 10:59:45 PM »
1975 Honda CB550K
2005 Kawasaki ZG1000 Concours

Offline Motoguy23

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 208
Re: What motor oil should I use?
« Reply #24 on: October 12, 2009, 03:20:02 PM »
I don't recommend the "motorcycle specific" oils out there.

Idk if it was just a coincidence or what but I had a 1990 XR200 and used the "motorcycle specific" oil and then after about 2 hours of riding my transmission took a dump. 
All glory to the hypno-toad.