My dabble in synthetic oil...

[Guest]

Well guys, i thought i'd post up my results on a little test i did.

I changed from a the regular 10w40 oil to a 10w40 semi-syntheic oil with NO energy conserving properties...

I have a 1980 gs550e with the 650 top end, along with barnett clutch plates and ebc springs...I would say that i beat on this bike pretty hard, but do take care of it.

My top end noise that was present from the cam chain went down about 60-70%... i can barely detect it now.

My powerband seems quieter.. (6k-redline) And while it doesn't necessarily pull harder, it seems smoother. I experience no clutch slip what-so-ever.

I still have a hard time finding neutral, but it's a tad easier, and clutch drag has gone down almost 100%.

overall, i would say to anyone considering this change, DO IT.

I won't be going back to regular oil.

 

[Planecrazy]

I just finished running about 1000 miles since changing to a synthetic blend ... I've since discovered that this "blended" oil most likely contains almost no synthetic, and so I wasn't surprised to find that the bike's performance didn't change in any way significant enough to notice.

I DO intend to go full synthetic from now on (based on the positive results I've heard from several people I know and trust), and look forward to noticing the positive changes others have reported.

Regards,

 

[hunter58]

Sounds like it worked well for you. Would you mind sharing the what brand of oil you used?

Steve

 

[Billy Ricks]

Sounds like it worked well for you. Would you mind sharing the what brand of oil you used?

Steve

Shell Rotella full synth is available at Walmart in gallon jugs for not much more than regualr oil. That's what most people here running synth use.

 

[stp1stp]

Got some of that today. Rotella 5w-40 Synth. Should have the bike running in about a week. I'll let everybody know how it is.

 

[ericox]

sounds like it worked pretty good, i had a bad experience with syn. in older bikes. It has always (2 times-2 bikes) caused my engine to develope leakes. I talked to a reputable engine guru and he said that syn's have a large % of detergents (meant to keep new engines clean) but will clear crud in older engines, i guess that crud was keeping her form leaking. Anywho, all i did was replace the gaskets and good as new.

Just a heads up for anyone switching in an older bike.

 

[ruddy]

I've been using Rotella 5w-40 Synthetic oil for the last two oil changes, and I'm very pleased with the results.

By the way, if you want to use a blended oil, just buy two quarts of synthetic and two of dino oil and blend them in your engine. The two types are compatible, and you will know exactly how much of each you're getting. :wink:

 

[Jethro]

sounds like it worked pretty good, i had a bad experience with syn. in older bikes. It has always (2 times-2 bikes) caused my engine to develope leakes. I talked to a reputable engine guru and he said that syn's have a large % of detergents (meant to keep new engines clean) but will clear crud in older engines, i guess that crud was keeping her form leaking. Anywho, all i did was replace the gaskets and good as new.

Just a heads up for anyone switching in an older bike.

Anyone who wants to use synth in thier bikes should not worry about the gaskets. If it's crud that is keeping your engine tight, I'd rather know about it and deal with it than not.

 

[Hoomgar]

Anyone who wants to use synth in thier bikes should not worry about the gaskets. If it's crud that is keeping your engine tight, I'd rather know about it and deal with it than not.

Oh! Solid point bro!

 

[getsum]

I agree totally.

 

[quakeholio]

Once you get into the high miles with the engine's they tend not to like moving. One guy had 300,000 miles on a ford, with original miles and said that he was wanting to move to synthetic, the host of the radio show said not to as the sythn will breakdown the crud that engine has made, and will probably kill the engine.

The first time I put in synthetic was into my CB900, fired up just fine, but it was hard getting the shifter to go into gear, and she ground a bit going in. After that first shift she has been as happy as a clam. Synthetic has now taken over the engine, subtranny and final drive. Some time I'll have to try out synthetic fork oil.

 

[scotty]

get something with a lighter oil base. 5w something or 0w something. that ended my clutch drag problems which were only present during the warm ups

 

[Guest]

Shell Rotella full synth is available at Walmart in gallon jugs for not much more than regualr oil. That's what most people here running synth use.

Shell Rotella T 'full' synth is only 13% synthetic base stock...mostly dino oil...Any deisel oil makes a great GREAT motorcycle oil though; Even Mobil 1 Extended life is not pure synthetic stock. Only full synths now are Amsoil, Redline, Motul.

 

[Red Rocket GS1100]

Would love to move to Syth Oil

Would love to move to Syth Oil

Just bought the bike and dont really know what it's running on right now. Would love to move to synthetic. I am assuming that the clutch isn't a concern and that it will grip the same as with regular oil?
I agree about finding leaks...I would rather know about gum up/leaks than not.

 

[Guest]

Just bought the bike and dont really know what it's running on right now. Would love to move to synthetic. I am assuming that the clutch isn't a concern and that it will grip the same as with regular oil?
I agree about finding leaks...I would rather know about gum up/leaks than not.

The main concern is finding a mix/synthetic that doesn't have "energy conserving properties". You can check this on the oil seal on the back.

 

[rustybronco]

Just changed mine to 20w50 amsoil monday night went up hill in 3rd gear full throttle NO slip. shifts down into first with a KWACK, up into 2nd with a kwack, 3rd-4th-5th SMOOTH shift (the kwack was there even with 15w40 rotella t but about 25% better) i can stop it in neutral pull the clutch in kwack it into 1st without having to roll it forward or backward (which only happened before hot) only 80 miles on the oil change so far in 80+ degree temps, but it's looking good. i have had 75w90 full synthetic in the secondary and final drives when ford changed over to 75w140 (got 1-1/2 cases of 75w90 for free) i have ran it with 75w90 about 3,000 miles and i like it.
just a seat of the pants feel so far, the temps are down.

 

[Bratdaddy]

Synthetic Oil

Synthetic Oil

I recently purchased a !981 GS550T from a seller on EBay. The very first thing I did was to replace the whatever oil he was using to Amsoil 20~50 synthetic motorcycle oil. There is a small bit of leakage from the cam cover, but as I recall, some of these models came from the factory with the same problem. The clutch is much better, as is finding neutral. Overall, the benefits of the synthetics outweigh the slight inconvenience posed by Suzuki's somewhat dubius gaskets of that era.

 

[Davefw]

oil grade?

oil grade?

I noticed someone went to 5w-40, is that ok to do even though the filler cap says 10w-40 on it? sorry if this is a dumb question but I figure if I dont ask I wont know for sure. thanks

 

[Bratdaddy]

More Lube Stuff

More Lube Stuff

Back just after the Earth cooled, I used this additive from Kal-Gard in my Four Strokes, and even in a couple of cars I owned. It was quite effective in my big Honda, smoothing out that engine and gearbox. I had forgotten about it until recently. I even used their gear oil in a Sportster back in '83 and was able to get neutral anytime I wanted. The dealer didn't believe it, so I rode back to his shop and let him try for himself. I don't know how it would behave with synthetic oils, but I can't believe they would sell a product that would land them in court. I have added their link in this message. I add the usual disclaimer: I am not affliated with them in any way, shape, or form.

 

[wolfie]

I noticed someone went to 5w-40, is that ok to do even though the filler cap says 10w-40 on it? sorry if this is a dumb question but I figure if I dont ask I wont know for sure. thanks

The 5 in 5w40 represents the viscosity of the base stock that the oil is based on before it is modified to behave like a heavier oil. From what I've been told, the only time it matters is when it is very cold, which for most motorcyclists is rarely. However, when it is actually that cold 5w40 is going to flow easier than 10w40. This is from my brother who sells Amsoil and knows a whole heap of a lot more about oil than I do. I hope I'm not misquoting him.