Topic: Serious changes in oil; should we be worried?

[Lavis500]

So I've been spending a lot of time on another forum as I've been working on my 2001 Suzuki Savage.  All of the oldtimers over there are in an uproar, as they've noticed significant changes in oil regarding severely decreased ZDDP levels.  ZDDP is supposed to protect against wear on cam bearings and in engines with flat valve tappets.  Most all motorcycle oils have been reduced below 800ppm, where as they used to be 1400ppm+.  Has anybody else here heard or seen the same thing?  If it's true, wouldn't we be affected greatly as well?

[lucky]

So I've been spending a lot of time on another forum as I've been working on my 2001 Suzuki Savage.  All of the oldtimers over there are in an uproar, as they've noticed significant changes in oil regarding severely decreased ZDDP levels.  ZDDP is supposed to protect against wear on cam bearings and in engines with flat valve tappets.  Most all motorcycle oils have been reduced below 800ppm, where as they used to be 1400ppm+.  Has anybody else here heard or seen the same thing?  If it's true, wouldn't we be affected greatly as well?

I'll bite.
ZDDP Whats that and how did you measure it?

[Bob Wessner]

Put "ZDDP" in the upper-left search box and sit back. 

[CB500_k2]

I don't know it all but it is my understanding that oils intended for diesel engines do not have a reduced zinc level as there are no catalytic converters on diesels yet.  I use Rotella T 15-w40 in my CBs. 

[camelman]

ZDDP levels have been reduced in all oils over the last forty years due to emissions regulations.  Specifically, ZDDP adversely affects the operation and life of catalytic converters, so it has been reduced in the majority of engine oils since engine oil does make it's way into the combustion chamber. However, the benefits of ZDDP are too great to totally eliminate it from engine oils.  The mobil delvac line has the highest ZDDP concentrations I have found in any oils I've investigated.  I picked this question off their Q&A page:
https://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Car_Care/AskMobil/ZDDP_Levels_Mobil_Delvac.aspx

I use Mobil Delvac in all my older moto engines.

FYI, even diesels have catalytic converters.

Camelman

[Lavis500]

Yeah, Shell Rotella seems to be the go-to oil for everyone else I've talked to.  I haven't found anything that still says it meets JASO-MA requirements.  JASO-MA2 oils are SUPPOSED to be backwards compatible, but if you look at the PDS (product data sheet) you'll see that the quantities of zinc and phosphorous by weight are significantly lower.

Many have discussed supplementing with additives such as Eastwood Zinc and Phosphorous or ZDDPPlus.  I'm not an oil guru or anything, but I'd like to think I'm starting to catch on.

I guess I'm just the last guy to hear about it and the rest of you found your method years ago when JASO-MA2 oils were getting pushed out?

[Dimitri13]

ZDDP is the acronym for the zinc in oil we're always #$%*in about on the forum. There hasn't been much in oil in quite a few years. You can get away with running Rotella or Mobil Delvac. Or if you want to spend some extra money, go ahead and try out one of the zinc additives. I haven't heard anyone confirm it's snake oil yet, so it might be good stuff.

[Retro Rocket]

So i suppose the question begs to be asked, who, if anyone, is making roller tappets for our bikes..?  Has it been done yet..?

[Dimitri13]

I've been doing some reason, and there were roller rockers made back then, but nothing now, unless you pay big $ for custom.

[lucky]

So i suppose the question begs to be asked, who, if anyone, is making roller tappets for our bikes..?  Has it been done yet..?

Only the Harley Davidson aftermarket industry.