Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet Iron Barrel => Topic started by: 02Electra on March 20, 2013, 08:23:00 am

Title: Using non JASO-MA oils in the Iron barrel crankcase.
Post by: 02Electra on March 20, 2013, 08:23:00 am

Considering the iron barrel's engine oil is not shared by the clutch, will it be better to use a non JASO-MA oil in the crankcase like the one we put in , say car engines? JASO-MA oils would probably have some friction modifiers for wet clutch uses , which our iron barrel wouldn't need.

I'd love to try a diesel engine oil in it but Indian summers and 15W40 oils don't seem right. The availability of petrol (gasoline) engine oils in 20W50 weight is good.

Cheers.

Title: Re: Using non JASO-MA oils in the Iron barrel crankcase.
Post by: ace.cafe on March 20, 2013, 11:55:19 am

It's okay to use regular motor oil in it.
It's preferred to use a motor oil with at least 1000ppm zinc and 1000ppm phosphorous in it , like the older oils had. Some of the newer "off road" oils still have the zinc/phosphorous additives package which is sometimes called "ZDDP".
These additives give improved life to the cams and lifters, and many new road-rated oils have discontinued them because roller lifters are now so prolific and don't need them.