About to change the oil on my '81 GS550T

[Anonymous]

Please excuse the stupid questions, as I haven't gotten my Clymer manual yet.

I read on the site that I shouldn't use "car oil" such as regualr 10/40 from the auto parts store, but rather need to get special "motorcycle" oil. Can I just use the regualr 10/40 I put in my Jeep?

No dipstick anywhere right? This means I need to just go by the sight-glass to add the correct ammount. Aside from measuring the old stuff, what's my oil capacity? Im guessing around 2 qts.

Nothing special to chaning the oil and filter, right? Warm the engine a pit, unscrew the plug, drain, remove filter cover, unscrew filter, replace new filter and drain plug and fill?

Thanks...Im sure my tech questions will improve in difficulty the longer I own this bike...

[bgk]

You'll find as many opinions about oil, as you'll find people with crankcases to put the oil in!

Many of us on the GSR, probably most of us, use regular 10W-40 car oil because that's what Suzuki recommended in the Owner's Manual and on the oil filler cap. Do not use the new type of oil listed as "Energy Saving" on the label. Apparently, the new energy saving type of oil makes our "wet" clutches slip or chatter.

I use Castrol GTX 10W-40 in every motor I have that calls for 10W-40 (bikes, car, truck, boat) and I'm very happy with it.

The Suzuki GS oil filters press-in and are retained with the filter cap and screws, rather than screw-in. Otherwise, the oil change proceedure is just as you described it.

Enjoy your bike. Enjoy the GSR website. There are no stupid questions, just stupid answers (exept mine, of course)!

[Mr. Jiggles]

Bear in mind that you'll hear alot of different opinions on this topic. Last year I tried regular cage motor oil but didn't like the effect that it had on the clutch / transmission. It seems that the detergents that are added into auto oil have a bad effect on our wet clutches. Since then I've been running valvoline 10W40 that is formulated specifically for bikes, ATV's etc, basically motors that use a wet clutch; it's been running well for me. Yesterday I decided to give synthetic a try (Mobil 1 for bikes) and found after a 5-mile ride that shifting through the gears feels much different - I have a much better feel throught he gearshift lever. The clutch feels a bit different too but I'm not sure if it's for better or worse. It will be interesting to see if the synthetic was worth the extra price.

Do a search of the archives - I remember someone posting a link to a "bike motoroil shoot-out" that listed the how different motoroils performed. You don't always get what you pay for.

Jeff

[Anonymous]

I appreciate the replies...but what's my oil capacity?

[Anonymous]

Oil

2.6 litres,2.7 US qts or 2.3 Imperial quarts with filter change,2.4 litres,2.5 US quarts or 2.1 Imperial quarts without.

[Anonymous]

Re: Oil

2.6 litres,2.7 US qts or 2.3 Imperial quarts with filter change,2.4 litres,2.5 US quarts or 2.1 Imperial quarts without.

Thanks Doug!

[Anonymous]

Oil

Nae bother! 8) 8)