[mattsz]

See, suitcasejefferson?  Oil war.  They come in many guises... 

[heloego]

Regarding the "Tank" (RE manual) vs "Crankcase", it all depends on who (or how many) do the translating from Indian to English, and how many levels of translating have been done.
After 20+ years working with French manuals the number of different names for the same thing are STILL frustrating (Is it an O-ring, joint seal, gasket, seal, Viton ring, or barrier??) Frogs. 

[nigelogston@gmail.com]

Not wishing to fan the Winds of War ,  but I know there is an aftermarket scavenge device for HDs designed to slurp every last bit of old oil out prior to oil changes. (I think it connects through the external oil lines and you turn the engine over for a time to fully bleed the lines. )  This is not HD manual recommendation but proponents claim benefits from not recycling used oil that is filled with acids, particulate and whatever other stuff happens to oil as it degrades.
Surely with an engine as simple as the UCE there would be a way to completely drain it even if it meant sucking out with a syphon hand pump hose set up like those used for syphoning gas.  Anyone have any ideas ?  With a single cylinder air colled doing all the work, good  lubrication is everything no? . Nigel

[Ducati Scotty]

Yes, remove the side case covers and tip it back and forth.  Amazing amounts of oil come out.  There are still two shot glass sized depressions up in the head that hold oil.  You could remove the tank and valve covers and suck them out too....

Or just pop the plug, rock it a bit, and call it good.  Honestly guys, this is as sophisticated a motor as a Briggs and Straton.  Don't agonize over getting every last drop out. Ride more, worry less

Scott

[barenekd]

Regarding the "Tank" (RE manual) vs "Crankcase", it all depends on who (or how many) do the translating from Indian to English, and how many levels of translating have been done.

The crankcase, where the crank is, keeps no oil in it. It gets pumped back to the "tank" which is behind and lower than the crankcase. To call the whole engine case a crankcase is a big misnomer, or at least, misleading.
Bare

[Ducati Scotty]

The idea of a an internal tank inside the engine case is a little confusing at first, but it's just as bare describes it.

I wish we had external oil lines like the older engines.  Looks way cool and it's very easy to add an oil cooler.

Scott

[suitcasejefferson]

I think I will use Mobil 1 20w50 v-twin oil, changed according to the manual. It is mainly intended for Harleys, and late model Harleys run red hot. Heat is the main enemy of both oil, and air cooled engines. I run my XT225 and Genuine Stella 2 stroke on the rich side to help keep them cool, but with FI, there is no way to richen the mixture, at least not without  an expensive reprogrammer.

[Arizoni]

I have used Mobil-1 20-50 in my G5 starting with the 300 mile oil change.
I can't say it is truly better than the other motorcycle specific oils but it's working for me whether I'm riding in 40 degree F weather or in 115 degree F weather.

[Ducati Scotty]

These engines were designed to run in Indian summer heat in traffic.  They do ok but I run synthetic too just for extra piece of mind

Scott

[Royal Stargazer]

These engines were designed to run in Indian summer heat in traffic.

I never considered that. My sole reasoning for leaning towards Royal Purple was because it was the only oil I'd researched that made statements about reducing the operating temperature of the engine. With our little 499cc thumpers being air-cooled, it seemed like a decision that made itself.

I might just pick an easily-accessible synthetic and call it a day. I'll steer clear of the semi-synthetics though.

[Ducati Scotty]

If you go purple make sure you get moto specific.  I've heard a few cases of wet clutches slipping with it.

Scott