What Oil?

WaconiaGSer · May 6, 2009

I need to buy some on the way home from work and don't remember what the bike uses. It's a '79 GS850G. Could someone tell me?

Thanks in advance!

Billy Ricks · May 6, 2009

Rotella T available at Walmart in gallon jugs.

WaconiaGSer · May 6, 2009

Gallon jugs? The bike still has tight valves and rings.

If I'm stopping at a auto parts store, what weight do I need?

Billy Ricks said:
Rotella T available at Walmart in gallon jugs.

almarconi · May 6, 2009

10w40 should work fine.

Griffin · May 6, 2009

Billy Ricks · May 6, 2009

Thought you wanted to change oil. The Rotella is 15W/40.

BassCliff · May 6, 2009

Hi,

Factory spec calls for 10w40. Just about any oil will do, as long as you stay away from the "Energy Conserving" oils (most are 10w30 anyway). I have even run 20w50 in the summer. Some oils are better than others. I use a 15w40 oil for diesel motors (like the heavy-duty Rotella-T) because it has more good stuff like zinc. No need to buy expensive motorcycle-specific oils. Even Castrol GTX, Mobil synthetic, or a dino/synth blend is OK. Just change it often for best results.

Couldn't you just search the forum for "oil"? Books have been written here on the subject.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

DimitriT · May 7, 2009

Billy Ricks said:
Thought you wanted to cahnge oil. The Rotella is 15W/40.

I believe this is currently on sale at Walmart.

I put this in my 550 (rather than 10w40) and it really improves the
shifting and clutch feel.

almarconi · May 7, 2009

I put this in my 550 (rather than 10w40) and it really improves the shifting and clutch feel

I also run this in my bike but I found that on cold mornings (at or below freezing) the transmission is hard to shift. Once the bike warms up its fine but it takes awhile. I'm thinking of using the Rotella 5w-40 synthetic when the weather gets colder.

Tim · May 7, 2009

I use "Spectro 4 Golden 10w40" in both of my bikes.

Tim · May 7, 2009

Check out this link it helped me understand alot of stuff when choosing what oil to use. http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Consumables.html#Oil I discovered it when I bought my ST1300, granted it speaks to the ST1300 but when it comes to oil, compression engine's all run on the same principles. I believe it still applies to the GS line. Just remember.........if you look in the oil level check window and it looks like coffee it's time to change. Oh yeah don't by FRAM filters they are JUNK !!!

Nessism · May 7, 2009

Also go to the Bob is the Oil Guy forum...http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php Check the Oil Analysis Reports info. After reading there is became clear to me that motorcycle oil is nothing special and diesel oil is a very good match for motorcycles.

DimitriT · May 7, 2009

almarconi said:
I also run this in my bike but I found that on cold mornings (at or below freezing) the transmission is hard to shift. Once the bike warms up its fine but it takes awhile. I'm thinking of using the Rotella 5w-40 synthetic when the weather gets colder.

Well, every bike is different. It could be mine has lighter clutch springs or more wear on
the gears but I can shift fine when its cold. My problem was that I was experiencing hard
shifts where it would slap hard into gear and sometimes get a false neutral. I've tried various
oils and the 15w-40 seems to help. I might even try a heavier oil (like a 20w-50) to see
if thicker oil will help smooth out the shifts.

Dave8338 · May 7, 2009

Leave it to a guy from Waconia to start an oil thread...

Stop in at Hoppers and tell Dan or Paul that they need to buy you a beer.

chuckycheese · May 7, 2009

Oil

Oil

We need an oil "sticky".......badly!

kilog55 · May 20, 2009

you can get the rotella t in almost any weight not just the 15w40 variety but it is harder to find. most diesel truck oils are great for any application

Steve · May 20, 2009

chuckycheese said:
We need an oil "sticky".......badly!

Do you mean a STICKY or a SLICKY?

Sorry, just had to do it.

.

What Oil?

WaconiaGSer

Guest

Billy Ricks

Guest

WaconiaGSer

Guest

almarconi

Guest

Griffin

Forum Sage

Billy Ricks

Guest

BassCliff

Guest

DimitriT

Forum Sage

almarconi

Guest

Tim

Guest

Tim

Guest

Nessism

Forum LongTimer

DimitriT

Forum Sage

Dave8338

Forum Sage

chuckycheese

Forum Sage

kilog55

Guest

Steve

GS Whisperer