Amazing difference

[Anonymous]

Did the first oil change on my 650 Katana today , I bought this bike off a guy who works on cars not bikes so I've been meaning to do it from day one but have been too busy until now . Here's the amazing part before oil change I was getting about 65-70 kph out of first gear but now WOW I'm getting 100+kph out of it .The pulling down low revs is absolutely amazing I can't get over the difference in horsepower now all I have to do is synch the carbs and replace the cam chain and it should go even better . Now the old oil smelt burnt and the oil filter looked like it had been in ther since the early 90s ,I've come to the conclusion that the guy who owned it had put car oil in it . Has anyone else had an enlightening experience such as this ????

[mcycle-nut]

I don't think it had anything to do with what kind of oil it was. I think the problem was how long it was in the bike and how many miles were on it. 8)

[Anonymous]

You're probably right

[Dink]

I would strongly recommend a couple of oil& filter changes in quick sucession, like 500 miles apart. to flush any crud that may be in there out.
After all it is called cheap engine insurance.
Dink

[Anonymous]

Junk in the carbs may be clearing out also. Check your air cleaner if you know that the guy was not taking proper care of the bike.

[Anonymous]

It has k&n filters on it so I know ther'e clean but the carbs do need work.

[Hotblack]

I think any vehicle that registers good at the 'seat of the pants' is easy to tell when the oil is getting old. I can always tell in my Buick, there's a noticeable lag in power towards the end of an oil change interval, and this is oil that's still supposed to be within limits.

[snowbeard]

I had a similar time with my 650, it had sat for over a year not running, something in the fuel system supposedly, but who knows how long it had been since the last change! not to mention the tank spewed gas a couple times, but I wasn't about to change the oil till I got that taken care of!! when I dumped it it was black as well as brown in some parts. well, when I finally did get it all back together and everything, the clutch felt amazingly different, stronger, as well as running somewhat better overall!

I read a few places warnings about not using "special secret formula" synthetics, due to the friction plate on the clutch! that could be part of your experience (the better friction=better power, not necessarily that anyone put the wrong stuff in)

glad to hear it!!

[Gary Lich]

Junk in the carbs may be clearing out also. Check your air cleaner if you know that the guy was not taking proper care of the bike.

Yep...may just be getting the junk out. When I bought my 1100 it had been sitting for a few years. I thought it was running pretty well but the third time I had it out I really wound it up going down an entrance ramp onto a freeway. There must have been some crud in the carbs because all of the sudden it was like a turbo kicked in and it has run better ever since.