How hot can these bikes get?

[GS Farmer]

I to have been worried about high heat,oil breakdown, because I ride in 100 plus heat here in Nebraska sometimes. Have read a lot of threads on oil, synthetic vs dino, and would like to run synthetic, but am worried about leaks, as have heard horror storys about what can happen in older engines. About a month ago I pulled the oil plug to change oil after a 40 mile ride in 80 degree weather. Couldn't find my rubber glove and thought I would burn my hand. In a hurry, I pulled it bare handed, and to my supprise it did'nt. Wasn't nearly as hot as a car engine that runs 200 degree's. What I have done, is to start running a oil additive by Lucas called motor oil stabilizer. Was having shifting problems before( shift lever would not return to neutral position, especially when oil was cold upon start up) That problem dissapeared instantly with the addition of the Lucas. No clutch problems, actually works better, engine was using a little oil before, and almost none now, and this product helps against thermal breakdown from heat. I believe it really improves the dino oil. Have used it in cars, pickups, tractors and irrigation power units for 10 years, with great results. It works great in worn engines that are using oil, will reduce oil consuption, sometimes dramatically. Recommended it to a friend that had a old farm truck that was using a quart and a half of oil a day,(50 to 60 miles) He used it at a 50\50 mixture and only added a quart for the rest of the harvest season, needless to say he was rather impressed as he thought that he was going to have to overhaul the motor, but ran it another 6 years. Warning, if you use it at the 50\50 blend be sure to pore engine oil in first, then add Lucas, as it is so thick that oil pump may hae trouble picking it up. Once you start, and warm up you can't tell its in there, by looking at oil viscosity. Have a van with 303k on it, and still runs great, I believe partly because of this product. They have other product .that we have used and they are all top notch in my book. They have a upper cylinder lubercant that I run religously in cars and bikes as it also tends to prevent fuel from going bad,( a good thing on bikes that tend to sit for periods of time) Just thought I'd share our experience with these great products. Everybody ride safe!!!

 

[Cathy344]

When I mentioned thinking about going from 10w40 to 20w50 once my bike was roadworthy, the sales guy at the local independent bike shop suggested instead to stay with the 10w40 but add the Lucas oil stabilizer. I was thinking he might have just been trying to move product.

If I did use Lucas, would it be better to add it to synth or dino 10w40, and in what proportion? 50/50 seems excessive. 25/75 sounds more in line with my expectations.

 

[JHawkins]

I would love to know where to by rotella in
canada

Shell gas stations is a good place to start

 

[twistedwankel]

I got this off of Quaker State Website..interesting data

I got this off of Quaker State Website..interesting data

http://www.pzlqs.com/Tech/Pdsheet/QuakerState/EngineOils/pdf/SmallEngine4-CycleMotorcycleOil.PDF​

TYPICAL PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
QUAKER STATE? SMALL ENGINE 4-CYCLE MOTORCYCLE OIL
TEST TYPICAL RESULTS
SAE Grade 10W-40 20W-50
Gravity, ?API 15.6?C(60?F) 30.2 27.8
Flash Point, COC, ?C(?F) 221(430) 227(440)
Fire Point, COC, ?C(?F) 232(450) 235(455)
Pour Point, ?C(?F) -34(-30) -31(-25)
Viscosity
@ 40?C, cSt(SUS) 101.3(470) 173(802)
@ 100?C, cSt(SUS) 14.7(76.7) 18.39(91.7)
Viscosity Index 152 140
CCS Viscosity @ Temp. ?C(?F) cP Max. 3500 @ -20(-4) 4500 @ -10(14)
Low Temperature Pumping
Viscosity @ -25?C(-13?F), cP Max. 30,000 ?
Low Temperature Pumping
Viscosity @ -15?C(5?F), cP Max. ? 30,000
Material Number​

12/1 Quart 11681 11684

 

[GS Farmer]

Lucas oil

Lucas oil

On a engine in good shape, I would run about 20 to 25%, but if you have one that is using oil, then go up. In my GS i'm running one qt Lucas, three qt of 10-40. Seems to work fine. If anyone tries it, I would interested to know if you notice much difference in shifting/gearbox operation. It was absoulutely amazeing in my case.

 

[denydog]

Luckily my transmission shifts perfectly, my clutch works great, and my engine burns no perceptible oil. My oil temp gauge generally reads 220 degrees or less, and since I change the Castrol 10W-40 every 2,000 miles or so, I'm not worried about oil breakdown.

I guess I can't use any oil additives.

 

[bwringer]

Lucas Oil Fans - Thanks!

Lucas Oil Fans - Thanks!

Just wanted to say thanks to all the Lucas Oil fans who are helping us build the Colts a new stadium! :razz:




Seriously, Lucas does mix up some good stuff. If it makes you feel better to put their additives in your oil, and you can afford it, then go right ahead (just make sure it's compatible with wet clutches).

Personally, I'm in the "ordinary oil changed every 2K miles" camp. I usually use 15W-40 oil for diesels, but I've used everything from 10W-40 Castrol ($) to 20W-50 Golden Spectro Synthetic ($$$$).

 

[GS Farmer]

Luckily my transmission shifts perfectly, my clutch works great, and my engine burns no perceptible oil. My oil temp gauge generally reads 220 degrees or less, and since I change the Castrol 10W-40 every 2,000 miles or so, I'm not worried about oil breakdown.

I guess I can't use any oil additives.

What do you mean you can't use any oil additives?? My guess would be , with that sunny personality\additude, your unenployed and just can't afford it!!!

 

[GS750]

What do you mean you can't use any oil additives?? My guess would be , with that sunny personality\additude, your unenployed and just can't afford it!!!

Hey farmer whats the need for the personal attack?

Just because someone doesnt feel the need to use an additive you attack them and state things that you have no idea about?? Who says that the poster was unemployed? I persoanly work on the coal fields in Australia and earn 100000K per year, but I dont use an additive, so would you call me unemployed too??

 

[Grandpa]

What do you mean you can't use any oil additives?? My guess would be , with that sunny personality\additude, your unenployed and just can't afford it!!!

It's "you're", not "your". It's "attitude", not "additude". It's "unemployed", not "unenployed".

GS Farmer, your attitude is sunnier than your spelling. Employ it carefully! :-D:-D

 

[Grandpa]

Hey farmer whats the need for the personal attack?

Just because someone doesnt feel the need to use an additive you attack them and state things that you have no idea about?? Who says that the poster was unemployed? I persoanly work on the coal fields in Australia and earn 100000K per year, but I dont use an additive, so would you call me unemployed too??

GS750, I do believe GS Farmer was kidding. :-D

 

[tconroy]

You appear to be having an emotional relationship with this bike.

If you planned on having an emotional/permanent relationship with it you should first give it a name.

If you didn't plan on having an emotional/permanent relationship with it you should flog the crap out of it until it says: "Bang my gears!! Ride my clutch!! Oh Baby!!"

OR you should have bought a new bike with a warrantee and called the toll free number when it took a ****.

So you actually put it on the center stand and looked for bubbles in the sight glass? Wow!!

The last time I saw "Bubbles" she was giving me a lap dance after I rode my old bike all afternoon, parked it on the hot asphalt with a woody underneath the kickstand to keep it up. Keeping it up is a real problem with old things.

Relax. You all ready know how to rebuild the thing. That's way more than I know. I only know how to smile:-D

Bubbles!! Thats a good name for his bike!!! LOL!!!!!

 

[earlfor]

LMAO...........So many times I have cringed at exactly those notations, but let the opportunity pass. hehehehe

Earl

It's "you're", not "your". It's "attitude", not "additude". It's "unemployed", not "unenployed".

GS Farmer, your attitude is sunnier than your spelling. Employ it carefully! :-D:-D

 

[earlfor]

Uhhh no, if you make 100,000 you are making 100K. If you're making 100,000K then you're making 100,000,000. But then, I guess you could be making 100,000,00.00 per year.

Earl

PS. Just for the record, I prefer to run an oil cooler and I dont intend to try to convince anyone why they should or shouldnt. eheh

Hey farmer whats the need for the personal attack?

Just because someone doesnt feel the need to use an additive you attack them and state things that you have no idea about?? Who says that the poster was unemployed? I persoanly work on the coal fields in Australia and earn 100000K per year, but I dont use an additive, so would you call me unemployed too??

 

[tconroy]

You bike will tell you if it's running hot.If you can ride the crap out of it when it's 95 out,then turn it off and it doesnt tick like a time bomb it's probably ok.When my bike was running lean the pipes would tick like a time bomb after I turned it off.Definitely running too hot! I use suzuki 10 w 40 year round and have had no problems at all.

 

[eddiev]

Wow... Thanks for all the advice, comments, support, jokes........ Sorry I caused so much trouble with this thread but I have to say I'm glad to see the amount of interest.
It's not that I'm paranoid about the heat. Many have agreed with you guys that I'm overreacting but the difference is that they had nothing to compare it to. What I'm saying is this. Before I rebuilt this engine, on a cool day, when stopped at a light I would put both hands (leather gloves on) on the heads for a good 5 seconds and then hold them against my cheeks (the ones on my face) to warm up a little. Now I wouldn't go near those heads. I think you can fry an egg on them. Granted it's not the winter but the only time I felt this bike get so unbearably hot was last summer in Virginia, about 95 degrees and stuck in horrible traffic for over an hour. I'm not new to this bike. I've had it about 6 years now and kind of know it's personality.
You guys make some great points. I'm running NGK plugs, I will recheck the gap. I think I set them to 30. I was concerned about it possibly running lean because I had a hell of a time getting the carbs and airbox on and wondered how well the rubber is sealing. The plugs look fine as far as I know. I little tan on the porclien that's all. Petcock issue..... It's possible. But in 600 miles I've added about 1/3 quart of oil to top it off. If gas was getting in wouldn't the level be going up unless I'm burning a hell of a lot more??? I thought about the temperature sensor also. Sears has one on sale this weekend. I just don't know what numbers to look for. Ie: How hot is too hot?
Anyway, Thanks for all the help. I'll keep filling you's in. I'll probably keep running with it until it melts away on me. I'm going to change to 20W-50 this weekend. I usually do in the summer anyway.
Happy Riding. Eddie V

 

[denydog]

You guys are all too funny!

I was being a little sarcastic in my weird humor way, so I deserve whatever I get. But I thought Farmer's reply was funny any way you look at it. And thanks GS750 for sticking up for me just the same.

And for the record, I am either unemployed or retired, depending on your point of view. I'm still trying to decide myself, although I'm leaning towards retired since I'm not looking to work. But I can certainly afford to put anything in my bike I desire. In fact, I'm planning on buying a brand new bike, just because I've had such a great time riding since I discovered this site, and got my GS back on the road 10 months ago.

And back on topic, Yes, these bikes can get very hot! I've got the burns to prove it!

 

[eddiev]

Well I changed the oil today. First warmed it up with a 10 mile ride. Let it sit for 15 minutes and dumped it. The oil poured out like water. I've changed oil hot before and it always still flowed out with some viscosity. This literally splashed out like water. It doesn't smell like gas or anything. Is it possible that all the assembly lube mixed in with the oil would cause it. It's the second oil change since the rebuild but the first was done after about 75 miles. Anyway, now it has 20W-50 and I'll see what happens.
Thanks again for all the advice.
Eddie

 

[GS Farmer]

GS750, I do believe GS Farmer was kidding. :-D

As usual, Grandpa is right. Sorry guys, didn't mean to start a firestorm, It was alittle sarcasm addressing sarcasm. Ddog , please accept my apoligy. (That may be spelled wrong, and I just know Gramps is going to nail me)I like many others have learned much from others sharing there wisdom here on this site. Sometimes I just shake my head and wonder, Is this some king of a GS cult??? If it is, it's great, and I love it!!! Hey, have a great day, and ride safe!! P.S And may all your GSes clutch perfectly, shift perfectly, and consume no oil.. JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jknappsax]

A few responses to this thread

A few responses to this thread

1. I like spelling and punctuation as much as the next guy, but the meaning is what's important here, not the medium.
2. I think most of the responses were in fun, as most of the people on this website are pretty friendly and funloving, you just have to realize that a little ribbing is pretty much par for the course here.
3. It may be an excellent product, but I for one hear the name Lucas with fear and dread (English bikes and cars. Lucas, the prince of darkness. Why do the English drink their beer at cellar temperature? Refrigeration by Lucas. Etc., etc.).