oil question?

[Nessism]

I actually did not know that the zinc levels have changed over the years.

Yup, zinc levels are way down. I used to be one of those "motor oil is motor oil" people, but the new auto oil formulations are pretty skimpy on the zinc which makes this topic pertinent.

The 8V GS engines are easy on their camshafts but the 16V'ers are not - the cams and rockers wear a fair bit.

There is an internet forum specific to engine oil... http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php

Lots of good info their for those interested.

[Steve]

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

Yeah, but when they recommended it, oil was a lot different than it is now.

Has anybody looked at a new Suzuki to see what they recommend today?

.

[Zook]

Whatever brand you use DO NOT use ANY oil with the "energy conserving" lable on it. Those oils contain friction modifiers that can harm wet clutches.
A rule of thumb is stay away from any oil that is 30 wt., i.e. 10W3-, 5W30, etc.
10W40, 5W40, 20W50 is okay.

Some of the newer Guzzis actually recommend 10W60 (yes 60)!

[KamakaziDude]

I'm using Castrol 10W-40 (Auto) synthetic and haven't had any problems (at least not yet )

Also the 3 quart w/o filter change should be a guideline. If you dump all 3 quarts in before checking the oil level you may overfill it and have to drain some out.

[821100gl]

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.

but what if you have like rotella diesel oil in your bike and you wanna run like mobil 1 synthetic or something should you changed the oil and filter too or just drain oil and put the new oil in?

[chef1366]

but what if you have like rotella diesel oil in your bike and you wanna run like mobil 1 synthetic or something should you changed the oil and filter too or just drain oil and put the new oil in?

Run it till it's done and then try the Synthetic. Don't waste good oil.

[821100gl]

i am running rotella 15 w 40 the triple protection kind. I havent heard this is recommend for bikes yet.just dont wanna hurt my bike with any harmful addtives

[jimcor]

but what if you have like rotella diesel oil in your bike and you wanna run like mobil 1 synthetic or something should you changed the oil and filter too or just drain oil and put the new oil in?

Since you're goinng to add all that expensive synthethic oil, change the filter too. Although it really doesn't matter. Why run the Mobil 1? Just change to Rotella 5W40 Synthetic. You'll save some bux and have a great oil.

But Rotella 15W40 is one of the finest bike oils you can buy. Plus it's so darn reasonable. You'll not really gain much except the 'feeling' you're treating your engine better by going synthetic.

[MrBill54]

Royal purple

I just switched to the Royal purple syn oil, has some great specs specially for air cooled engines, little or no clutch drag with either the 10/40 or the 20/50wts.