Author Topic: Oil Grade  (Read 6283 times)

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KhardungLa

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on: May 24, 2010, 12:14:51 am
Hi all

The book says 15W-50 - surely that's for Indian climate?

Do I really need that multi-grade here in the UK? I would have thought a 10W-40 would be ideal for summer use and 5W-30 for Winter.

I live in the North East - we get a lot of wind and rarely does it ever get above 30 degrees C even in high summer.

 ???




UncleErnie

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Reply #1 on: May 24, 2010, 01:57:26 am
From your naughty post upstairs, I get that you're in England?

Here, many of us use a deisel truck oil that is 15-40.  Lovely stuff because it has the additives necessary for our motorcycle engines that have more stresses than car engines.
Many also use motorcycle-specific 20-50. 

I wouldn't worry about using a 10-40 until the temps stay on the 40's and lower.  An even thinner grade would help start it perhaps, but I wouldn't think YOU could stand riding in zero degree weather.

Addendum;  Just realized this is for a UCE (again).  I would think a 10-40 would be fine until you get into the 90's or are stuck idling in heavy traffic a lot.  The main thing is to use an oil made for motorcycles and change it fairly frequently.
Run what ya brung


REpozer

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Reply #2 on: May 24, 2010, 02:36:41 am
  I would think a 10-40 would be fine until you get into the 90's or are stuck idling in heavy traffic a lot.  The main thing is to use an oil made for motorcycles and change it fairly frequently.
That would be 32*C . How offten does it get that hot in the UK?
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2bikebill

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Reply #3 on: May 24, 2010, 08:04:23 am
Silkolene semi-synth 15-50 was in the bike (G5) when I got it, and what the dealer recommends, so I've stuck with it. Changed it twice since new - 2000 miles, and am about to again.
Runs smooth with easy gear shifts.

32*C in the UK?   :D  :D ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha  :D  :D
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KhardungLa

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Reply #4 on: May 24, 2010, 06:14:33 pm
So just stuck with Semi 15/50 today - bought Motul as that's what the store had.

1500 miles - oil wasn't too dirty.

Happy thumping.


Marrtyn

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Reply #5 on: May 24, 2010, 06:33:15 pm
Yeh, stick to 15/50 semi synth. I would'nt mess about with some other "might do" oil!


UncleErnie

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Reply #6 on: May 24, 2010, 07:32:26 pm
Motul is good oil.  I haven't seen the 15-50 here in the 'States, though.  Too bad.
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clubman

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Reply #7 on: May 24, 2010, 10:36:10 pm
Silkolene semi-synth 15-50 was in the bike (G5) when I got it, and what the dealer recommends, so I've stuck with it. Changed it twice since new - 2000 miles, and am about to again.
Runs smooth with easy gear shifts.

32*C in the UK?   :D  :D ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha  :D  :D

Well, it came close today, yes? Came back from Dorset to Essex and it was sweltering.

I too have always used Silkolene 15/50 and it runs just great in all weathers so I won't be changing.


REpozer

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Reply #8 on: May 25, 2010, 12:14:49 am
There has been an issue of oil "coking" in the oil tube at the right side jug fins.
 This no doubt this could happen when residual oil sits in the tube and is cooked by the engine heat after shut down.
Remedy.....well that's where the semi synthetic oil comes in.Its resist high heat "coking" problems.
This is true in turbo charged cars as well. Oil "coking" up in the turbine oil drain or "scavenge" drain side was a problem due to the high heat in that area.

 Armed with some oil knowledge , one can affordably put the right kind of oil to work , without losing sleep at night.

I currently use 15w -40 truck oil, but I know the conditions are fine for my climate and style of riding.
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singhg5

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Reply #9 on: May 25, 2010, 12:51:28 am
Motul is good oil.  I haven't seen the 15-50 here in the 'States, though.  Too bad.

Ernie:

I use Motul semi-synthetic 15W-50 for my G5, right here in US all the time.  It is a very good oil. 


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KhardungLa

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Reply #10 on: May 25, 2010, 03:33:37 am
yup that's the stuff.


Marrtyn

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Reply #11 on: May 26, 2010, 01:28:31 pm
I use Silkolene, but is there any difference between Motul and Silkolene, or does it come out of the same pipe?


Chris-G5

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Reply #12 on: May 27, 2010, 04:56:30 am
Ernie:

I use Motul semi-synthetic 15W-50 for my G5, right here in US all the time.  It is a very good oil. 



Where do you buy it at?


singhg5

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Reply #13 on: May 27, 2010, 04:48:49 pm
Where do you buy it at?

Hello Chris:

I buy Motul from my local Honda / Suzuki motorcycle dealer.  He carries only good stuff in his family owned dealership.  I had bought a Honda motorcycle from him earlier. 

If you want it, just call your local motorcycle dealers near you and see if they have it.  If not, I wll be happy to give you my dealer's phone number and he will ship it to you - Just send me a PM.
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singhg5

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Reply #14 on: May 27, 2010, 05:18:10 pm
Hi all

The book says 15W-50 - surely that's for Indian climate?
Do I really need that multi-grade here in the UK? I would have thought a 10W-40 would be ideal for summer use and 5W-30 for Winter.  I live in the North East - we get a lot of wind and rarely does it ever get above 30 degrees C even in high summer.

You do have an interesting point.  I personally use 15W-50 in my G5 (Electra) in north east of US where the temperature is colder than in India. Only in the last few days the temperature has reached upto 30C.  In my experience, this grade of oil works very well in warmer climate (above 20C) as we have right now.  The gear changes and running, everything is smooth.

A few weeks back, when the weather was cooler and I rode it when the temperature was about 10C, the oil felt a bit too heavy.  As Ernie has posted that 10W-40 may also be fine until you hit 32C or higher.

From your naughty post upstairs, I get that you're in England?

Addendum;  Just realized this is for a UCE (again). I would think a 10-40 would be fine until you get into the 90's or are stuck idling in heavy traffic a lot.   The main thing is to use an oil made for motorcycles and change it fairly frequently.

I change my motorcycle oil more frequently than recommended by Owners Manual. I like the engine, transmission and clutch plates run in clearner oil.  It will pay off in the long run IMHO.
« Last Edit: May 28, 2010, 04:29:27 am by singhg5 »
1970's Jawa /  Yezdi
2006 Honda Nighthawk
2009 Royal Enfield Black G5