Topic: what oil to use.

[evinrude7]

got it. 

[eigenvector]

delta rider, i don't know if i'm exaggerating here.  i don't have enough experience with these bikes to know.  that's why i'm on this forum. to learn from those with more experience such as yourself.  thanks for your input and letting me know it's not a big deal. you've chimed in a time or two on my questions and i appreciate that, especially being a noob. 

ekpent, dave and pewe, i have replaced the filter before.  i recall the nut was rounded to begin with.  i had to use vise grips last time. this time no luck with them.  i've had this issue before with old cars and i have a set of sockets that will eventually get it off.  if not i'll find a way.  on the oil i've generally used valvoline conventional oil in all my vehicles.  i've never owned a brand new car so i usually go with a little marvel mystery oil to quiet the top end.  have had long lasting cars all my life.  i'll follow the advice on being careful not to get any junk up in there as well as not torquing down the bolt too much.  what's ironic is i've been having trouble with my 2007 dodge pickup stalling and the occasional buck.  it was a loose spark plug at the back of the motor that i must have overlooked tightening last summer when i changed the plugs.   

can't really weld.  have a few times before but i don't own the gear. something i'd like to get into and learn.

These older bikes can be a pain in the rear to work on.  The strangest things can get stuck and hold you up for what seems like forever.

I really don't worry about clutch slippage.  The only time I've ever had a clutch slip was when I messed up the clutch cable adjustment.  a few turns of that big knob at the clutch lever fixed that.  As for oil - well that's a highly religious topic and you can call me an agnostic.

If you really are worried about it - replace the clutch, it's a very simple job.

[ofreen]

what are you all using to get tappet covers off, especially 2 and 3 intake?

Get a six sided 17mm box wrench.  I prefer the type with the geometry that puts the pressure on the sides of the hex rather than the corners.  The Craftsman wrench is designed that way.  I think Snap On may have originated the idea, but others have now copied it.  Hold the wrench flat on the cover, take up the slack, and bump the wrench with a heavy rubber mallet.  Don't over tighten them when replacing them.  I've had the ones off my old 750 who knows how many times and they are unmarred.

[ekpent]

 And when you round the corners on your 17mm round tappet covers or if they are ready to go, grab a large pair of channel locks with good sharp teeth and grab the cover along the large round edge sitting next to the valve cover,not the hex head, and with a very manly grip so it won't slip give it a turn and break it loose. Trying to turn it with the hex nut with too much force can break out the center. Just had to do that with two cover caps on my current project.

[evinrude7]

great advice all. 

[RAFster122s]

Too much zinc will coat your friction discs and cause problems as well. So, willy-nilly addition of zinc additives is not something to that is such a good idea either.  Cheaper to use a good motorcycle oil as you won't have to worry if they are packaging something that is going to  be a problem.  They sell V-twin and 4T versions of MC oils, you want to avoid the V-twin oil, it has some things that are not compatible...many V-twins are not wet clutch motors, sharing the engine and clutch oil like the SOHC bikes.

David

[evanphi]

754 (Frank) makes a tappet cover wrench.

[evinrude7]

evanphi, 754 (frank)?

i bought some 20w-50 quicksilver mc oil for wet clutch application.  that's all i could find locally.  trying to get someone to carry spectro golden 4. 

[DaveBarbier]

Member 754. His name is Frank. Or at least that's what he tells us...

[evinrude7]

got it.  i just pm'd the dude with the crazy eyeballs. 

[evanphi]

got it.  i just pm'd the dude with the crazy eyeballs. 

You got the right guy!

Also if you ever need to do top end work on your engine, buy one of his frame kits. Saves you removing the engine.

[evinrude7]

link?

[RAFster122s]

You don't need the frame kit for a 550/500, just needed for the 750. Fwiw...fyi...
Boy these oil thread take a twist don't they!!

[evanphi]

link?

Ask Frank about it when you ask him about the tappet cover wrench.

[evinrude7]

much obliged. 

[PlungerWaffle]

Use wet oil. The dry stuff is no good.

[Airborne 82nd]

Yeah, lets get to some serious less arguable questions, like what tires to use?

Round ones

[rocket johnny]

    in my 76 k-6  i use phillips x/c 25x-60   it is designed for radial aircraft engines .  also contains some zinc .   i have used it for 5 yrs with out any clutch problems .  about 4.75 a qt.  good stuff