All about motor oils for motorcycles

[DimitriT]

Oil in the motor can only lead to one thing: leaks. No oil, no leaks.

[Nessism]

The problem with oil threads is the topic by definition is technical in nature, however few people are knowledgeable enough to have a considered opinion but that doesn't stop them from spouting off about urban legend or "I heard" statements and misconstruing them as facts. When the non technical person is corrected, or worse, contradicted with more incorrect information, the thread is down the drain and argument ensues. Good fun!

[mike_of_bbg]

Factual research is expensive in terms of time and attention. Most people would rather find a guiding philosophy to match their desired outcome or predetermined beliefs and accept it without question. The regurgitation of said philosophy is usually half from a desire to be helpful and half from a desire to be validated - as if majority consensus or conversion of others' opinion were somehow a proof of fact.

That of course goes for so much more than motor oil...

The problem with oil threads is the topic by definition is technical in nature, however few people are knowledgeable enough to have a considered opinion but that doesn't stop them from spouting off about urban legend or "I heard" statements and misconstruing them as facts. When the non technical person is corrected, or worse, contradicted with more incorrect information, the thread is down the drain and argument ensues. Good fun!

[bonanzadave]

regarding the original article. too long, did not read.

It must be getting dated. Rotella T @ Costco for $6 a gallon ? Really ?

[rustybronco]

I love oil threads.

They are a good read that's for sure!

http://www.widman.biz/uploads/Corvair_oil.pdf

But note also that viscosity of the Amsoil 20W-50 is close to the 5W-50 oils at 40° C. It appears from their spec sheets that with a 3600 Cold Crank Test at -15° C, their 20W-50 oil could be labeled as 10W-50 or 5W-50.

So what is my bottom line recommendation in xW-50 oils? Of all the specs I could find (in a reasonable amount of time), there are only two oils in this group with excellent pumpability, and excellent high temperature protection. Amsoil’s 20W-50 is the only one of these that also shows excellent shear strength, and tops it off as a CI-4/SL. It might not be the best option for catalytic converters because of the phosphorous content, but based on available data from this selection, it would be at the top of my list. I would use this in any engine where 5W-50, 10W-50 or 20W-50 is recommended

I ran amsoil 20w50 for over 5K miles in my '82

[bellucci]

Rotellarotellarotellarotellarotellarotellarotellar otellarotellarotellarotellarotella...

Just to change the subject... I sent my coils and ignition to Dyna for the 27 year check up. Ignition was fine. Coils were bad,yes both of them. They replaced them for half the cost of new... Nice people.
Curt

[legaleli]