Lame Oil Questions

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by PyroMcnoob, Sep 7, 2010.

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  1. PyroMcnoob

    PyroMcnoob New Member

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    Doin' an oil change soon on my gen2... I have a K&N oil filter I got for free from a bike night raffle, so that's covered. just need to know:

    1) how much oil does the damn thing take?

    2) what oil do you guys use for "classic" bikes like gen2s?

    *thanks for any help fellas
     
  2. 04viffer

    04viffer New Member

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    First off, do not use any oil that is "energy conserving", it will not work with our wet clutches, second it should state in your manual for how much oil to use, if you don't have the manual I would start with 4 quarts. Fill up with those four quarts run the bike for at least a good minute or two and turn the bike off. recheck the oil to see how much more you need....Rotella T 15/40 oil works well and it is cheap from walmart.
     
  3. Rollin_Again

    Rollin_Again Member

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    My advice would be not to run synthetic oil in an older motorcycle that has not been using it from before. The reason behind this is that synthetic oils are more thin than regular fossil based oils and can cause leaks to occur around your seals and gaskets that seemed fine with regular oils. If you bike has been running on traditional oil continue using the same. As far as capacity goes, find out the exact amount from the service manual. Overfilling an engine with oil can cause oil to get to parts of the engine that weren't designed for it and this can cause the oil to splash and froth up with air which reduces its effectiveness.

    Rollin
     
  4. ccsbcvtrider1

    ccsbcvtrider1 New Member

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    This isnt a Lame oil question...I was going to ask the same, but for my 3rd gen.

    Kevin
     
  5. invisible cities

    invisible cities New Member

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  6. Jakobi

    Jakobi New Member

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    This is just about the stupidest advice you could ever give someone, unless you like being responsible for destroying someone's engine. I don't know of any motorcycle engines that take anything MORE than 3-3.5 quarts (with filter change). I'm going to guess that yours takes 3.2 with filter change, Pyro.

    On older bikes I usually use NAPA 10w-40. Any petrol based diesel oil will actually work better. If you use car oil you'll need to change it more frequently as the viscosity modifiers will break down faster due to the shear stress from the transmission and wet clutch. Don't use anything labeled as "Energy Efficient" for the reasons previously mentioned.

    I would not run synthetic in an older bike. It's not that synthetics are thinner than regular oils (if they were the viscosity numbers would be different), it's because synthetics tend to have a better ability to clean the inside of your motor. Over the years, gunk, that regular oil hasn't been able to clean out, has been building up in your seals, in effect helping to seal your motor. When you switch to synthetic this gunk gets cleaned out. The result is that your dried up seals, which haven't been working correctly for some time, leak. Replace the seals and you would be good to go.

    -Jake
     
  7. PyroMcnoob

    PyroMcnoob New Member

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    did the oil and filter change, ended up pourin' in just a smidge over 3 qts. gonna go back out here in a sec and check for leaks, then maybe cruise up the street to see how she feels and recheck oil level. Thanks fellas!
     
  8. Davis5g

    Davis5g New Member

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    I usually change my oil by letting the bike idle on the center stand while i pull the left lower fairing to get the oil warmed slightly and mix up any contaminants. Then I shut her off and let it drain for at least an hour. I fill it up to the full line on the sight glass(I use rotella T6 synthetic) Then I start it and let it idle for 15 seconds or so. Shut it off, let it sit for 5 minutes to let the oil drain back into the pan and then bring the oil level back up to the full line as it drops some cause of the oil that filled the new filter up.
     
  9. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    been using amsoil in my 75,000 91 bike that I bought with 4000 for its entire life. I use 20-50 synthetic and could care less about using lighter oil and having the motor spin up faster. Bike never uses oil and it dont really get that nasty between oil changes. I remember when I was racing and Bel-Ray came out with their ZERO viscosity oil, all these idiots jumped on that band wagon; and what happened? motors where blowing up left and right. Love Bel-Ray products though. What else? I use Mobil One 15-50 synthetic in my kawasaki and use the 5-20 synthetic in my car. One word, Synthetics. Dont know about getting an older bike and switching earls though. NO High-Jacking of threads was committed here. Cheers.
     
  10. GreyVF750F

    GreyVF750F Member

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    DO NOT use any automotive oil. It will not have the protection a mc trans/motor needs. The oil formula has been changed for the worse as far as metal protection. Buy Motorcycle oil only. It has not been effected by EPA changes like car oil has been. Best to use a synthetic/dino blend like Spectro. Honda oil is good. Just buy a good mc oil and your motor will like you for it.:bounce:
     
  11. creaky

    creaky New Member

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    FWIW........Agree with using a mineral based oil. I have been using Rotella T 15/40 in my Mack trucks. pickups, pleasure cars and 4 stroke motorcycles for years, works for me.
     
  12. Davis5g

    Davis5g New Member

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    This thread could go on forever, and argue about which oil to use or not. Bottom line is, use a quality filter, quality oil, and change it regularly (3k miles or so) and you shouldn't have any problems. It is a honda after all.
     
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