Ooops. I guess it's my turn ...

[Dogma]

Huh? Not following you on that one, Norm.

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He's just being a jerk. Dismiss.

I think he was replying to TxGSrider, who appeared to be responding to Norm instead of Steve when he recommended replacing the gasket. The cricket remark seems to be a snarky way of saying TxGSrider had no answer to his question about which gasket he needs to replace. I've never seen Norm like that in person, but I've never seen anyone annoy him either. But I suspect it's all based on misunderstanding. This has become an oil thread, after all.

What confuses me is Norm's willingness to have his engine held together by the dirt when he keeps his bikes so clean and pretty on the outside. I thought letting the dirt hold it together was my thing. Maybe the increased risk of getting the shiny outside oily is too much?

Personally, natural oil is good enough for me in normal usage. Synthetic doesn't have extra detergents by nature, that's something that is or isn't added just to sell it, right? That said, I'm thinking about getting some synthetic to put in the 1000G for the track day in August, just for increased temperature tolerance.

[Dogma]

I read a very long article years ago on synthetic oil vs. Dino, and for some reason, the one thing I remember is that, synthetic oil molecules are all the same size, which is kinda small. Dino oil, however has a variety of molecule sizes. What this meant to the guy writing the article is that since synthetic molecules are all the same smallish size, they flow better...and are able to make their way through potential leak spots, where Dino oil may not.

I don't think you can correlate molecule size with flow properties. For example:

[storm 64]

He's just being a jerk. Dismiss.

A Jerk??? Yeah, I resemble that remark. But more village idiot. Lol☺

However, I don't think my engines are "dirty" on the inside. I keep the oil changed and all necessary maintenance kept up. At 47,000 miles on the 850, I don't think I'm doing any harm to the engine by using non synthetic oil. The GS engine was designed to run non synthetic in the first place. And I never got service bullen from Suzuki to switch to synthetic...

Oh, TxGSrider wasn't annoying me. I was just having constructive conversation about the use of synthetic motor oil. All's good��

[TxGSrider]

I think he was replying to TxGSrider, who appeared to be responding to Norm instead of Steve when he recommended replacing the gasket. The cricket remark seems to be a snarky way of saying TxGSrider had no answer to his question about which gasket he needs to replace. I've never seen Norm like that in person, but I've never seen anyone annoy him either. But I suspect it's all based on misunderstanding. This has become an oil thread, after all.

What confuses me is Norm's willingness to have his engine held together by the dirt when he keeps his bikes so clean and pretty on the outside. I thought letting the dirt hold it together was my thing. Maybe the increased risk of getting the shiny outside oily is too much?

Personally, natural oil is good enough for me in normal usage. Synthetic doesn't have extra detergents by nature, that's something that is or isn't added just to sell it, right? That said, I'm thinking about getting some synthetic to put in the 1000G for the track day in August, just for increased temperature tolerance.

For what its worth to everyone, I really don't believe that synthetic based oils cause leaks, flow significantly easier compared to a conventional oil with the same weight that has been serviced regularly, or even have a higher detergent level that a similar conventional oil rated for wet clutch motorcycles. I do believe it has more resistance to heat and changing to carbon and should have a longer service life. I was just having some fun with the points that were brought up. Could carbon particles plug up potential small leaks? I guess it could, but again, Id rather not use that as my technique for keeping my bike oil leak free. Its like leaving your car dirty to protect the paint. lol

I use conventional oil sometimes, sometimes I use synthetics, I'm more concerned with the additives have been removed from most modern day oils that can help in keeping sliding parts (camshafts in particular) from grinding away, and the additives that they do contain that can effect the wet clutches. I try to stick with the Delo and Rotella that still contain the additives that help protect the "non roller" (flat) cams that are used in our bikes.

I wasn't trying to insult anyone, just saying if carbon and crud is whats keeping the oil from leaking, then maybe its time for a new gasket or seal. :-)

[TxGSrider]

A Jerk??? Yeah, I resemble that remark. But more village idiot. Lol☺

However, I don't think my engines are "dirty" on the inside. I keep the oil changed and all necessary maintenance kept up. At 47,000 miles on the 850, I don't think I'm doing any harm to the engine by using non synthetic oil. The GS engine was designed to run non synthetic in the first place. And I never got service bullen from Suzuki to switch to synthetic...

Oh, TxGSrider wasn't annoying me. I was just having constructive conversation about the use of synthetic motor oil. All's good��

I didn't take it that way at all. My response to the leaking gasket that needed to be changed was to Steve.

[storm 64]

I'm sorry Steve for jacking your thread and turning it into a oil debate. Good luck on your engine work. I'm sure everything will work out for you. Heck, you probably like having to work on your own motorcycle for a change. ☺

[Steve]

OK, it's been a while since I updated this, but I have taken advantage of the situation to fix a few other things, as well.

Replaced the valve cover gasket (which didn't look all that bad), ran the bike for a bit, did not see any fresh oil.

Now I need to get it all back together from all the other 'stuff' I have fixed, soak it in degreaser and hose it off.
Then I get to take it for a ride to see if I need to do anything else to it.

.

[Wingsconsin]

OK, it's been a while since I updated this, but I have taken advantage of the situation to fix a few other things, as well.

Replaced the valve cover gasket (which didn't look all that bad), ran the bike for a bit, did not see any fresh oil.

Now I need to get it all back together from all the other 'stuff' I have fixed, soak it in degreaser and hose it off.
Then I get to take it for a ride to see if I need to do anything else to it.

.

Glad to know its getting fixed.
If you need a place to ride to....ride to Wisconsin and prepare to get an 850 running again ..LOL

[Steve]

Glad to know its getting fixed.
If you need a place to ride to....ride to Wisconsin and prepare to get an 850 running again ..LOL

Compromise? Meet you in Missouri.

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[Allie]

Synthetic oil is magical. It has supernatural powers.

The only thing it can't do is repel rust on Jeeps.

[Wingsconsin]

Compromise? Meet you in Missouri.

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I wish it was running well enough to make that leap of faith...I would do it ...

[Steve]

OK, update time.

Got back from a quick trip "around the block". The chosen block took me 16 miles. Everything was DRY.

The only thing done to "fix" this problem was a valve cover gasket change.
The old gasket did not look bad, so I don't know why it leaked.

Just a couple more details and I will be ready for the Ozark Rally in Missouri.

It feels strange being ready this far ahead of time.

.

[Brendan W]

You don't sound convinced.
I see what you're doing there saying everything is ready in a loud voice............. hoping that leak will feel safe enough to come back out from wherever it's hiding.

[Griffin]

OK, no diagnosis results tonight.

I was headed out to the shop, got a text message from another GSer who was on his way with a broken clutch cable. I told him I had some cables, but did not know what all I had, come on over. While waiting for him, ANOTHER GSer stopped by, had a dead battery just down the street. Diagnosed that one to a dead stator, which he will order.

Bottom line, two extra bikes in the shop right now. It looks like they are BREEDING.



Just got back from taking one of them home, it's bedtime now.


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Whose 1100G is that?

[Steve]

That was the main attraction at Brown County on Saturday night.

It's Joe Garfield's bike.

The blue 1100GL belongs to Big Brother (the guy that started the "Craigslist Funnies" thread several years ago).

The Twinstar on the left is a project for a friend of my son.

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