oil question?

[821100gl]

Well i am sure you guys knew i was having problems with my bike running bad when it was warm.
My dad found out what it was and fixed it. I had a old soft line on and once the bike was
running hot the line would collapse he put a new line on last night.
I drove it today and wow it drove awesome.
I noticed on the oil guage it was between the F and L is that Normal?
I am gonna change the oil tommorow and was curious what type of oil to run it?
I think the last owner ran amsoil mobil 1 syntheic.
I ran it with regular castrol GTX oil?
So let me know what is the best oil for my bike cause i wanna pick some new oil up after work.
Also if i recall aint it 3 quarts without a new filter and 3 1/2 Quarts with a new filter?

[Nessism]

What happened to your Space Bar and Shift button? - no spaces between words and no Caps? Makes your post VERY hard to read for those of us that are double your age and don’t have the eyesight we wish we did.

For oil, diesel engine oil is an excellent choice for motorcycles. Just about any 15W-40 oil is fine – much better choice than auto oil since there is more zinc in it which is good for camshafts and other high wear components.

[toolman]

oil

well gs1100gl i agree with nessism 15w40 diesel oil is a good choice not only for the wear aspect but 15w40 is formulated to be used in high heat aplications such as turbos and the heat of diesel engines your bike runs hot as well , the only problem is it will make the clutch drag a bit when its cold . a small price to pay for all that added protection.
happy riding .....toolman

[SqDancerLynn1]

Get the Shell Rotella T 15-40 Works fine NO clutch problems, available as reg or symthetic, if you experience any drag just let it waem up for another few minutes !!!!! 20-40/ 20-50 wy oils will cause clutch drag in cold weather, OK if you want to use it as a summer oil...

[Steve]

I noticed on the oil guage it was between the F and L is that Normal?

Are you speaking of the sight glass on the clutch cover?

If so, then yes, that is where it's supposed to be.

.

[marvinsc]

Amsoil and Mobil 1are Two different oils, both are good but You need to pick something and stay with it. Shell Rotella Synthetic is good too, I run it in My bike. Oil has been beat to death here but the concensus is Changing it on a regular basis is more important than what brand it is.

[Nessism]

Amsoil and Mobil 1are Two different oils, both are good but You need to pick something and stay with it. Shell Rotella Synthetic is good too, I run it in My bike. Oil has been beat to death here but the concensus is Changing it on a regular basis is more important than what brand it is.

I'm using Rotella synthetic also, good stuff - diesel engine oil.

No worry with mixing oils; dino and synthetic, different brands, whatever. Doesn't matter.

[chuckycheese]

Oh, for Christ's sake, buy some Castrol 10-40 for a couple of bucks a quart and stick it in there... according to the oil cap on your bike, that's the way to go, anyway.

[Nessism]

Oh, for Christ's sake, buy some Castrol 10-40 for a couple of bucks a quart and stick it in there... according to the oil cap on your bike, that's the way to go, anyway. Good Lord, what 's the fuss about? (It ain't a new Ferrari...it's a very old motorcycle).

The rocker arm 16v Suzuki engines (like your bikes) like to eat their rockers and cams. Automotive oil like you recommend has about 1/3 less zinc in it than common diesel engine oil - zinc is what protects high wear components like cams. Small details can matter if you pay attention.

[chuckycheese]

Oh, No!!

The rocker arm 16v Suzuki engines (like your bikes) like to eat their rockers and cams. Automotive oil like you recommend has about 1/3 less zinc in it than common diesel engine oil - zinc is what protects high wear components like cams. Small details can matter if you pay attention.

Well, that's just great! Thanks to you, I realize I'm zinc deficient. Now, you've given me a reason not to get a good night's sleep .....just what I didn't need. (Nothing "ate" my rockers and cams, yet, but I suppose it will happen, any day. What's a boy to do???)

By the way...Suzuki recommends automotive 10-40.

[dardoonk]

Well, that's just great! Thanks to you, I realize I'm zinc deficient. ... What's a boy to do???

[Nessism]

By the way...Suzuki recommends automotive 10-40....not me.

Auto oil has far less zinc in it than it used to due to regulations regarding catalytic converter life in cars. Shell Rotella has approximately 1200 PPM and Castrol GTX has about 800 PPM. You are free to use what you want but saying Suzuki recommends auto oil is not really pertinent considering the oils are different now.

[chuckycheese]

Auto oil has far less zinc in it than it used to due to regulations regarding catalytic converter life in cars. Shell Rotella has approximately 1200 PPM and Castrol GTX has about 800 PPM. You are free to use what you want but saying Suzuki recommends auto oil is not really pertinent considering the oils are different now.

Well, I appreciate the fact that I'm free to use what I want and I guess I'm lucky that I don't have to worry about it. I've been known to worry about a number of things....but I can't say I've ever spent time worrying about the zinc content in the oil that's sitting in those two old motorcycles.

Maybe I'll add it to my list.............

[chef1366]

Play nice boys.
I actually did not know that the zinc levels have changed over the years. I am pretty anal about changing the oil and filter though. Drives my wife crazy. Didn't you just change your oil?? If I'm not throwing it in the river what do you care?? I recycle.

[GS750]

Oh, for Christ's sake, buy some Castrol 10-40 for a couple of bucks a quart and stick it in there... according to the oil cap on your bike, that's the way to go, anyway.

Thats it! hahahahaha Use the manufacturer recommended lube!

Here in Aus, I use the Castrol Activ 4T oil.

Activ 4T
Continuous protection for motorcycles.

Trizone technology delivers complete performance protection for the engine, gears and clutch.

Modern, high quality engine oil specifically for 4-stroke engines.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
CASTROL ACTIV 4T is a mineral-based 15W-50 engine oil suitable for all makes of 4-stroke motorcycle engines, running on either leaded or unleaded fuel.
CASTROL ACTIV 4T contains active protection molecules that cling to the engine and transmission parts, leaving a protective film that is active in any condition, even when the engine is turned off. This provides enhanced protection against wear and tear during the crucial start-up and warm-up periods.

PRODUCT APPLICATION
CASTROL ACTIV 4T provides good lubrication for all street and off- road four-stroke motorcycles.

It is also well suited to a wide range of four-stroke petrol engines used in generators, lawnmowers, and light power equipment.

CASTROL ACTIV 4T offers the following key benefits:
• Provides a protective film on engine parts in all conditions.
• Significantly reduces engine wear during start-up and warm-up.
• Improved engine cleanliness, promoting longer engine life.
• Controlled phosphorus content to help exhaust catalyst durability.