Best Motor Oil

[whittjayw]

1978 GS750 has been sitting for two years while restoring frame up. What is the best oil to use, as I have not seen bike run.

[GateKeeper]

try this stuff

new picture of the right kind....

[chuck hahn]

I just use regular conventional Valvoline 10W40..just like the cap says.

Whatever you choose, just READ the label and specifications ring thing and be cvertain you dont see anything like "friction modifiers" or anything else that would suggest friction additives. these additives can make the ckutches slip and that not a good thing.

[Steve]

Whatever you choose, just READ the label and specifications ring thing and be cvertain you dont see anything like "friction modifiers" or anything else that would suggest friction additives.

Fortunately, those oils seem to be 10w-30 and thinner.

Not saying they don't exist, but I have not (yet) seen an "energy conserving" 10w-40.

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[chuck hahn]

I still look at the labels...force of habit i guess after all these years. Not that its abad habit to get onto!!! The day i take something for granted will be the day i funk it up.

[Steve]

I still look at the labels...force of habit i guess after all these years. Not that its abad habit to get onto!!! The day i take something for granted will be the day i funk it up.

Oh, I look at the labels every once in a while, too, just to see if they have started doing it.

No matter, though, the bikes get 5w-40 Rotella synthetic, the cars get 10w-30 Mobil1, so I only get two types of oil.

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[tkent02]

try this stuff

Rotella is great oil, but at least use the 15W-40 or the 5W-40 synthetic stuff.

[bwringer]

Rotella is great oil, but at least use the 15W-40 or the 5W-40 synthetic stuff.

Yes, this. The proper 15W-40 looks just like that white jug. Don't use 10W-30 in a motorcycle.

[GateKeeper]

Yes, this. The proper 15W-40 looks just like that white jug. Don't use 10W-30 in a motorcycle.

It was just a picture from the internet...

I have to see what I have sitting on my shelf, I don't remember what viscosity I purchased...

what is wrong with 10w-30 ?

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[Nessism]

10W-30 is too thin. The 15W-40 or 5W-40 varieties are better for air cooled motorcycles.

Caution against using automotive oil, regardless of it not being "energy conserving" or what have you. Get diesel engine or motorcycle oil, since it has more high pressure additives than car oil.

[GateKeeper]

Thanks....

Fortunately we don't get the extreme high temps some of you guys in the South get (weather wise), but if my current jug of oil is wrong, I will make sure to get the right viscosity for the next one I purchase...

Cheers

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[rustybronco]

If your local temperature ranges permit using it, in my opinion, there is nothing wrong with using a 'non energy conserving' HD diesel 10w30 oil.

[GateKeeper]

I am in the great white north......LOL

we don't get really high temps, well some of the days we do, but nothing drastic, and then I get into the car and blast the AC anyways.....LOL

take this month for instance we are for the most part 15 degrees lower than what we should be, go figure....

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[Steve]

Fortunately we don't get the extreme high temps some of you guys in the South get (weather wise), but if my current jug of oil is wrong, I will make sure to get the right viscosity for the next one I purchase...

Take a look at the back of that jug for the API 'donut'. It gives information about the viscosity and grade of the oil, and might include the words "Energy Conserving" in it. If it does, I would not wait to make your purchase, get that oil out of your bike NOW!!.

The "Energy Conserving" oil has friction modifiers to make it more slippery. That is great in a car, but your bike uses that same oil in the clutch, and the friction modifiers will reduce the ability of the clutch to grab and transmit power. Yes, it will start sliding. If you leave it in there long enough, it will be totally saturated in the friction material and the only solution will be a total clutch replacement, which will run a bit over $100.

This is what you DON'T want to see:


This is more like what you DO want to see:


Notice the blank area at the bottom that does NOT say "Energy Conserving"?

Here is one of the recommended oils:



Here is another, if you prefer synthetic:


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[GateKeeper]

Thanks Steve....

I have not used the oil as of yet, it's sitting in my garage on the shelf, and it's been a while since I looked at it and purchased it, that I don't remember what it actually is and says, but I will definitely make sure it is correct

worse case, it will go into the lawnmower, or snowblower, or the wife's car....LOL

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