what type of engine oil do you use?

I don't know what the PO used but I changed it after I bought it. I used Valvoline 4 Stroke Motorcycle Oil 10W40.

 

I threw in some Amsoil at the end of last season. I'm not a big proponent of expensive synthetics by any means, but I was having some shifting issues so I decided to give it a go to see if it made any difference. That, and having a searing hot turbo to cool off every shutdown prompted my decision, but once I recoup the "investment" by doing and extended oil change (6000-10000km depending on gearbox feel) I'll go back to the regular stuff. I was using 15-40 diesel oil as well, not so many mystery ingredients, and made to take the pounding a 23:1 compression ratio engine will subject it to. The bike is 23 years old, doesn't burn oil and runs well, so I figure the last few years of its life won't require anything better than what it has run so far. We used to use Rotella by the bucketfull when I was a mechanic. Nothing special, but a decent oil. I don't know why there is such a buzz about the stuff. It's amazing how some products achieve mythical status by a group of users so quickly (not meant as a putdown SnoSherriff, I have seen Rotella mentioned on scores of motorcycle websites). Personally, having changed thousands of gallons of oil over the years, I admit to having a fondness for Petro Canada products, not because they are superior, but I am familiar with them and know they do the job in industrial applications.

 

In general, diesel oils are a good way to go if you don't want to take the 'motorcycle specific' oil route -- good tough oil, and usually pretty cheap -- and yes, I'm thinking the Rotella here - it's good stuff.

But those of us in Canada can get the m/c specific stuff at discount now that Crappy Tire carries it under their name -- I've seen it sent for oil testing, and comes back quite good. And at $3 a liter, can't go wrong....

 

I used to use Can Tire's semi-synth as well -- it was good oil. Then a couple of years ago they changed the formulation and added the friction modifiers -- haven't been able to find another without them.

Again with the warning about switching to synthetics -- if the bike hasn't used it before (and semi-synth doesn't count) you MIGHT run into trouble with seals & gaskets. Switching to synth has been known to cause shrinkage and cracking.... and it's impossible to tell if it will on your bike or not. Just an FYI

 

Oil recommendation question

I have an '85 Maxim 700, it has 6500 miles on it. I bought it late last year, so I have not yet changed the oil. Can anyone recommend what weight oil I should put in it and what amount I should buy?
I don't have the owners manual, and haven't yet ordered my XJ CD as I just discovered this site (will be ordering before the end of the week).
Thank you in advance for any input!

 

Re: Oil recommendation question

I cast one Vote for:

Castrol 20/50 Preferred by those who've had Checkered Flags waved at them for a livin'.

I swear by it.

 

Re: Oil recommendation question

yeah that's what I use, castrol 20w50 motorcycle oil, but there has been good reviews on yammie lube (aka yamaha brand 20w40)

 

My experience has been that synthetic causes excessive slippage on a wet clutch set up.
I also ran regular "car oil" for 3 years in my bike without considering that it might be a problem. I just switched to using "4 cycle oil" formulated for motorcycles and I have noticed that the clutch works better and the oil doesn't seem to be breaking down like the "car oil." This could be an illusion on my part! I do know that when I ran 20-50W "car oil" the oil seemed to be really thin and dirty. This is all of course in an air cooled motor with no oil cooler installed.

 

So if i do a seafome oil change, thats drain oil, add seafome add non expensive oil, run for ten min on center stand go thrugh all of the gears, drain, then add the good stuff and ride for five min change oil filter. My question is what kind of cheap oil, and good oil should be used. I ride the bike evrey day, it is my only meens of transport. most riding is done in town, lots of lights,stop sighns and traffic. Any suggestions will help greatly.

 

Cheap oil is whatever you can get:

Bulk, cheap or on Sale.
Since you are going to be doing a No-Load Flush ... Use some lighter viscosity stuff for a couple of flushes.
10/40 -- 10/30 ought to thin-out nice with the Seafoam and clean-out whatever you need flushed-out.

Good oil is Castrol 20/50.
Good protection for long, hard, high-on-the-tach, all-day riding.

 

Hey Snow, be careful with that 15/40 like you said it is designed for diesel engines.
From my knowledge of diesel engines these oils are formulated with much heavier duty detergents.

I was once told of someone using it in their car engine many years ago, I do remember that they were crying theblues, I dont remember what happened. After that I just always kept it in my memory banks not to use diesel engine oil in gas engines.

I hope you all the best having used this oil!

 

BTW Sno I have been using Castrol Syntec 5W-50 oil in my bike and haven't had any adverse effects in about 5500 miles that I've used it.

just my .02

 

I'm running Castrol 20W50 with no adverse effects.

 

Rock Oil Gaurdian 15w50: "Guardian Sigma is designed specifically to meet the individual requirements of performance 4 stroke motorcycles, having the highly sought after JASO MA approval is testimony to this. High revving superbike engines produce almost double the horsepower per cc compared to a car engine. Guardian Sigma has been formulated to protect these highly tuned engines with integrated gearboxes, while allowing wet clutches to operate correctly, even under the most severe conditions."
Wank, Wank, Wank. No Gumming, No Coughing, never missed a beat.

 

clutch, you almost made me a believer! We dont have that Rock Oil up here in the North!?

In fact never even heard of it.
But then I never heard of Vegemite either.
(we had a foreign exchange student who introuced it to us)

 

I use Shell Rotella (15-40)with Triple protection or what ever its called and a fram oil filter, the bike seems to like it. So it works for me.........

 

The manual seems to call for 20w40 - but I can't seem to find it in local outlets like WalMart. Of course, reading this thread it would appear that with a wet clutch, I need to go with a motorcycle specific oil.

By the way, I have a 1982 XJ650J (or so says the title...) - but am a bit confused about the front brake... mine has 1 rotor - but I see a lot of pics with 2....? do I really have a J model?

 

The 650 Maxims (XJ650n) Have single rotor. The Secas, and I believe the bigger Maxims, have two.

The J at the end makes yours an '82.