Author Topic: Best Oil for 74 CB750  (Read 58658 times)

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Offline AjG

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Best Oil for 74 CB750
« on: September 28, 2011, 08:10:54 AM »
The manual for SOHC 4's recommend 10W-40 "or" 20W-50.....
I have been using the 20W and recently was told that the 10W would be better?
Maybe it is irrelevant and I realize trivial for this forum, but I am curious if there is consensus out there or a preference?

Offline Deltarider

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #1 on: September 28, 2011, 08:48:48 AM »
Well... what can I say... your question leaves us speechless. This-is-a-very-good-question and I mean it. This forum will be tested to the bone. Just wait who has the guts...
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Offline ekpent

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2011, 08:50:46 AM »
I will be the first this time "Popcorn Please"   ;D

Offline BobbyR

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2011, 08:56:21 AM »
Since we are both from NY I will be kind. Please do a seacrh on "Oil" you will find out everything you want to know and then some. Trust me.
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Offline AjG

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2011, 09:11:40 AM »
Ok....thanks team!


Offline ACVWguy

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2011, 09:29:01 AM »
Unless you live in Antarctica or the Sahara desert, Just run 10w-40. Most import motorcycles specify a 10w-40 motor oil (and you'll find that the Honda manual doesn't specify to run a "motorcycle specific" oil). Motorcycle oils are a waste of money, IMHO. The API ratings of motorcycle oils are very dated (SG,SH ratings while most modern "car" oils are now at SN), and they charge you at least 50% more for motorcycle specific oils no matter what the case. You will have no issues running a "car" 10w-40 oil, so long as the API service label on the back doesn't say energy conserving/resource conserving.

 Look at any off the shelf motor oil with a second number less than 40 (Example: 10w-30, 5w-20) and you'll almost certainly find that it is an energy conserving oil/resource conserving oil. Energy conserving oils have friction modifiers (like molybdenum or graphite) that protect metal to metal contact when the oil film fails in extreme situations. The downside to these modifiers is that they contaminate the clutch and cause it to slip (a bit too "slippery"). So as a rule, avoid energy conserving oils. I once put an energy conserving 10w-30 in my Honda 100 dirtbike (before I knew) and the clutch began slipping after the first ride. The next time I tried to start that bike, the clutch slipped every time I kicked it over, and the crank wouldn't pass the compression stroke. Motor oils (be they "car" or "motorcycle" specific) that have a second number 40 and above (Example: 10w-40, 15w-40, 20w-50) will almost never be marked energy conserving. I have never found one that was, but they may exist.

As far as synthetic goes, the same rules apply. Don't use an energy/resource conserving oil. Make sure that it is the right weight (10w-40). Pour it in your bike and enjoy synthetic bliss.

Synthetics are better than conventional oils. They have a higher temperature tolerance and develop much less sludge when used longer than the interval service is specified, which, for our bikes, is about 1500 miles per oil change. They shift smoother when cold and have less false neutrals when hot - this is my experience. Results may vary. But you may not even notice the difference in synthetic other than by the weight of your wallet... as synthetic is always more expensive. I use it for the peace of mind when I'm in rush our traffic on a 100 degree day - stop and go, stop and go.

If you love your bike and want only the best, buy a synthetic. To save money, buy a "car" synthetic off the shelf. Just make sure it isn't energy/resource conserving. If you wan't to save money, even the cheapest 10w-40 oil will do. Go to Wal-Mart and just buy the house brand conventional 10w-40 and enjoy your $10 oil change. There is nothing wrong with SuperTech oil - Used Oil Analysis proves that it is just as good or better than most name brand oils (when used in cars). And it is dirt cheap. If you are frugal, but still want the best oil you can buy motorcycle specific synthetic Valvoline 10w-40 oil for about $8 a quart at Walmart. I have yet to come accross a better deal than that for a motorcycle specific synthetic oil. You can pretty much bet that Walmart prices are better than anyone else's for motor oil, unless someone's having a sale. (Flame on haters)

As for me, I use car oils.

I buy Mobil 1 synthetic 10w-40 "car" oil. It works great in my '75 CB550. And it only costs about $6.50 a quart whereas most motorcycle specific synthetics cost $10.

When I'm running low on cash, I buy Shell Rotella 15w-40. I only run this in the summer as it is thicker at startup than 10w-40, which causes it to take a few milliseconds longer to start lubricating the top end. Rotella is one of the few "car" oils that is actually recommended by the manufacturer to be used in motorcycles. That's what sold me on it. Shell doesn't even sell a motorcycle specific oil, IIRC. Rotella is $13/gallon at Walmart. Change the oil, use 3 quarts. Have an extra quart around to top it off before a ride.

The choice is yours.  8)

-Austin

Offline AjG

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2011, 09:47:07 AM »
I appreciate the feedback...I realize it was a remedial question here

After work I am doing a lube and filter change. (1st on this particular bike)

Most of the guys I ride with go budget oil. A few others insist on "Motorcycle Racing Oil"?

Nobody I ride with has a 40 year old Honda though, so I thought I'd hit the forum up for some intel.

Again, thanks for taking the time to respond.

Austin

Offline BigBoi

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #7 on: September 28, 2011, 10:10:58 AM »
I'll be brave...only from my own experience. This isn't going to be as comprehensive as above though.

I live in Ottawa, Ontario and it gets really hot here during the peak of the summer (95-100 degrees). When it's this hot, I run 20w-50. You need a thicker oil when it's really hot outside. During spring and summer here, it can be quite cold in the mornings, so you're better off with the 10w-40. Makes for easier starts.

In terms of brand, I've always ran standard Honda GN-4. No particular reason other than I know it's tried and true.

Offline mark v

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #8 on: September 28, 2011, 11:02:05 AM »
Thanks for the info on the oil. I just acquired a 78 CB750K and it is leaking oil, now I know what I can use.
Thank you
Mark V
1978 CB750K (well at least the frame and engine is)

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #9 on: September 28, 2011, 11:22:39 AM »
Unless you live in Antarctica or the Sahara desert, Just run 10w-40. Most import motorcycles specify a 10w-40 motor oil (and you'll find that the Honda manual doesn't specify to run a "motorcycle specific" oil). Motorcycle oils are a waste of money, IMHO. The API ratings of motorcycle oils are very dated (SG,SH ratings while most modern "car" oils are now at SN), and they charge you at least 50% more for motorcycle specific oils no matter what the case. You will have no issues running a "car" 10w-40 oil, so long as the API service label on the back doesn't say energy conserving/resource conserving.

 Look at any off the shelf motor oil with a second number less than 40 (Example: 10w-30, 5w-20) and you'll almost certainly find that it is an energy conserving oil/resource conserving oil. Energy conserving oils have friction modifiers (like molybdenum or graphite) that protect metal to metal contact when the oil film fails in extreme situations. The downside to these modifiers is that they contaminate the clutch and cause it to slip (a bit too "slippery"). So as a rule, avoid energy conserving oils. I once put an energy conserving 10w-30 in my Honda 100 dirtbike (before I knew) and the clutch began slipping after the first ride. The next time I tried to start that bike, the clutch slipped every time I kicked it over, and the crank wouldn't pass the compression stroke. Motor oils (be they "car" or "motorcycle" specific) that have a second number 40 and above (Example: 10w-40, 15w-40, 20w-50) will almost never be marked energy conserving. I have never found one that was, but they may exist.

As far as synthetic goes, the same rules apply. Don't use an energy/resource conserving oil. Make sure that it is the right weight (10w-40). Pour it in your bike and enjoy synthetic bliss.

Synthetics are better than conventional oils. They have a higher temperature tolerance and develop much less sludge when used longer than the interval service is specified, which, for our bikes, is about 1500 miles per oil change. They shift smoother when cold and have less false neutrals when hot - this is my experience. Results may vary. But you may not even notice the difference in synthetic other than by the weight of your wallet... as synthetic is always more expensive. I use it for the peace of mind when I'm in rush our traffic on a 100 degree day - stop and go, stop and go.

If you love your bike and want only the best, buy a synthetic. To save money, buy a "car" synthetic off the shelf. Just make sure it isn't energy/resource conserving. If you wan't to save money, even the cheapest 10w-40 oil will do. Go to Wal-Mart and just buy the house brand conventional 10w-40 and enjoy your $10 oil change. There is nothing wrong with SuperTech oil - Used Oil Analysis proves that it is just as good or better than most name brand oils (when used in cars). And it is dirt cheap. If you are frugal, but still want the best oil you can buy motorcycle specific synthetic Valvoline 10w-40 oil for about $8 a quart at Walmart. I have yet to come accross a better deal than that for a motorcycle specific synthetic oil. You can pretty much bet that Walmart prices are better than anyone else's for motor oil, unless someone's having a sale. (Flame on haters)

As for me, I use car oils.

I buy Mobil 1 synthetic 10w-40 "car" oil. It works great in my '75 CB550. And it only costs about $6.50 a quart whereas most motorcycle specific synthetics cost $10.

When I'm running low on cash, I buy Shell Rotella 15w-40. I only run this in the summer as it is thicker at startup than 10w-40, which causes it to take a few milliseconds longer to start lubricating the top end. Rotella is one of the few "car" oils that is actually recommended by the manufacturer to be used in motorcycles. That's what sold me on it. Shell doesn't even sell a motorcycle specific oil, IIRC. Rotella is $13/gallon at Walmart. Change the oil, use 3 quarts. Have an extra quart around to top it off before a ride.

The choice is yours.  8)

-Austin

+1?  :-)

Offline Duke McDukiedook

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #10 on: September 28, 2011, 11:37:08 AM »
The Rotella full syn 5W/40 is JASO MA rated, just so you know.
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Offline Deltarider

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #11 on: September 28, 2011, 11:47:09 AM »
Quote
Rotella is one of the few "car" oils that is actually recommended by the manufacturer to be used in motorcycles. That's what sold me on it. Shell doesn't even sell a motorcycle specific oil IIRC.
Well... overhere they do. You can find out here:
http://www.shell.co.uk/home/content/gbr/products_services/on_the_road/oils_lubricants/advance/

BTW, always a bit strange to read so many people overthere are happy with a Shell product that is not known here (Shell is a Dutch company, Anglo-Dutch nowadays). I suppose Shell's Rimula here is probably the same product.

Quote
Rotella is $13/gallon at Walmart.
From what I've read in various American publications about how Walmart is run, I could never make myself to buy anything from them.
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Offline ACVWguy

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #12 on: September 28, 2011, 01:19:19 PM »


Quote
Rotella is $13/gallon at Walmart.
From what I've read in various American publications about how Walmart is run, I could never make myself to buy anything from them.

I understand and respect that. I buy my motor oil at Walmart because I'm a freshman in college... money's tight.

I also found that the local O'reilly's only carry's motor oil in gallon jugs... for only slightly less than the 5 quart jugs that Walmart carries. Tricky. I don't buy oil from them anymore because it does seem to me to be a legitimate ploy to make money. After all, what car do you know of these days only takes 4 quarts of oil? Maybe I'm paranoid.  ???

The Rotella full syn 5W/40 is JASO MA rated, just so you know.

I know what I'm putting in my bike next oil change  ;) And that stuffs only $17 a gallon.

Offline BobbyR

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #13 on: September 28, 2011, 02:10:08 PM »
The manual for SOHC 4's recommend 10W-40 "or" 20W-50.....
I have been using the 20W and recently was told that the 10W would be better?
Maybe it is irrelevant and I realize trivial for this forum, but I am curious if there is consensus out there or a preference?
OK, you have gotten in a nutshell all of the advice and opinions in about several hundred  to  a thousand posts on the subject of oil. This is why people make fun of oil posts.

Each of our bikes has a different history of owners with different riding styles and attention to maintenance. You have a riding style and a type of riding, open road, stop and go comuting and any number of combinations. You also have various weather, hot summers and bitter winters. There is no majic oil. Find one trough trail and error and see what works for you. I have one I finally settled on for spring and summer and for me it works.

No matter what oil you use, change it and the filter regularly which is the most important thing you can do. hw     
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But we were boys, and boys will be boys, and so they will. To us, everything was dangerous, but what of that? Had we not been made to live forever?

Offline ACVWguy

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #14 on: September 28, 2011, 02:18:41 PM »
Oh and on another note... Walmart carries the oil filter for SOHC4s.

Fram CH6009 for $4.64. No need to order in bulk or wait a week to change your oil... that is if you can bring yourself to do business with Walmart.  :-X

Offline KRONUS0100

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #15 on: September 28, 2011, 04:21:23 PM »
i run Rotella 15w-40 without problems in my 76 CB750F.   its what i have in the shop on ready demand...i work on lots of engines, most of em diesel.  I used to run Valvolene 20w-50, and still do occasionally when it gets very hot in the summer.
But I pretty much run the Rotella in everything from the lawn mower and snowmobiles to the bikes and the trucks and tractors.  Its basically gonna be your personal preference and riding style as to what you run............do be wary of the synthetics tho.clutches can slip on them.
MATT
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bikes owned:1981 GL1100I, 1990 GS500E, 1981 GS850, 1977 and 1979 GS750, 1974 CB750, 1975 CB750, and a 1982 GS750E

Offline Danno

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #16 on: September 28, 2011, 06:33:08 PM »
Run Castrol regular oil not synthetic in the 10w/40 synthetic makes the clutch slip but as others have said so it does not degenerate into a knock down dragout brawl of opinions search for the oil posts
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Offline Laids

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #17 on: September 28, 2011, 07:17:29 PM »
I ran valvoline 20w50 for years. Switched  a couple of years ago to a synthetic 20w50 and noticed a big difference, shifted much smoother. I think it agrees with a wet clutch much better.  I am going to stay with the synthetic, although it is expensive I only need to change the oil once a year.

Offline malcolmgb

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #18 on: September 28, 2011, 07:32:03 PM »
From what I've read in various American publications about how Walmart is run, I could never make myself to buy anything from them.

Walmart do seem to get a bad press but my wife works for Asda in the UK, a Walmart subsiduary, they have been and still are a great employer to her, being very supportive during a couple of family health issues.
Malcolm

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Offline Don R

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #19 on: September 28, 2011, 08:20:03 PM »
Congratulations gentlemen, you did a fine and informative job of answering the question. Now let it slide down the page. Back away from the keyboard easy...easy..
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Offline ACVWguy

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #20 on: September 28, 2011, 11:58:23 PM »
Synthetics don't cause clutch slipping. It's a myth, let it die.

90% of off the shelf synthetics are just hydrocracked petroleum stocks anyway - that is; they are petroleum based.

These days, the word "synthetic" can be used as a marketing term as long as the oil is modified enough that it doesn't resemble petroleum (conventional) on the molecular level.

Mobil sued Castrol for labeling their hydrocracked petroleum oils as synthetic in the 90's. Castrol won, so now tons of oils are not "technically" synthetic because hydrocracked petroleum is cheaper to produce than a 100% human derived synthetic - a true synthetic. However, hydrocracked petroleum oils are almost as durable and heat resistant as a "true" synthetic (PAO-polyalphaolefin), but cost significantly less. For example: Redline (PAO) 10w-40 = $13/qt., Mobil1 (hydrocracked petrol) 10w-40 = $8/qt.

Hydrocracked petroleum "synthetics"- Mobil1, Castrol Syntec, Valvoline Synpower, Pennzoil Platinum, and Quaker State Q are all good oils. You can use any of them in your motorcycle if they are 10w-40/non-energy conserving. This is a FACT. I have used each of them to test.

Synthetics don't cause slipping. Synthetics aren't more "slippery" - that's a very common misconception. Synthetics have more uniform oil molecules than petroleum and are more refined. The hydrocracking process causes the oil to be much less susceptible to scorching and breakdown (sludge). So, the oil is more consistent, temperature resistant, and resistant to viscosity breakdown. Synthetics last longer. Synthetics are better in almost every aspect.

Synthetics don't cause clutch slipping. In a perfectly working clutch, the synthetic shouldn't even affect clutch engagement.

Another thing - synthetics don't cause oil leaks. They find existing leaks and make them more apparent.

Sorry for stirring the pot  ;D

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #21 on: September 29, 2011, 01:26:54 AM »
I use a different type of oil every time I change, always 10w 40, except in summer when I run 15 w 40, unless I cannot find it, then I run 20w 50.

Unless I have some 10w 40 around the shop, then I just use it, even if it is not a "different" type of oil.

So, I guess my original statement was more of a general concept, not a personal commitment.





BTW:

I re-polish my oil filter housing every time I change the oil.


I add a little Sea-Foam to the oil about 100 miles before I change it, unless I forget, or the mood to wrench & polish hits me and I just change the oil.

Offline 70CB750

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #22 on: September 29, 2011, 03:17:08 AM »
Oh and on another note... Walmart carries the oil filter for SOHC4s.

Fram CH6009 for $4.64. No need to order in bulk or wait a week to change your oil... that is if you can bring yourself to do business with Walmart.  :-X

Not in our area, Wal Mart, Autozone, Pep  Boys - I still have to find one store that sells any filter for CB.
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Offline ekpent

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #23 on: September 29, 2011, 05:45:51 AM »
Oh and on another note... Walmart carries the oil filter for SOHC4s.

Fram CH6009 for $4.64. No need to order in bulk or wait a week to change your oil... that is if you can bring yourself to do business with Walmart.  :-X

Not in our area, Wal Mart, Autozone, Pep  Boys - I still have to find one store that sells any filter for CB.
I have not noticed them at Walmart,will look again but I do get the Fram at Advance Auto Parts,a chain store around here. Do you have them around your area ?

Offline 70CB750

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Re: Best Oil for 74 CB750
« Reply #24 on: September 29, 2011, 05:50:59 AM »
yes, we do have AA - I will check it out when I am on the road some day.  For now I installed the shiny filter from vintagecb with adapter - I should be able to use regular auto filter later if I can find the right size.

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