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Choosing the correct Oil for a wet-clutch Motorcycle

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by k-moe, Jul 27, 2013.

  1. Yardawg

    Yardawg Active Member

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    Oh then that explains it. I was looking at the wrong Rotella. Glad I didn't buy it
     
  2. MattiThundrrr

    MattiThundrrr Not a guru

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    Too many kinds of oil! Screw it, I'm going with vegetable oil!
     
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  3. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Castor oil is fine, so long as you're not planning on riding hard, or for very long between decokings.

    Show of hands. Who has torn down an engine JUST for the purpose of removing carbon and sludge?
     
  4. ShotCaller

    ShotCaller New Member

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    Rotella (nor any Shell product I can see) is on the PDF dated Nov 1, 2016. As k-moe mentioned maybe they didn't pay for the cert anymore. However did go hunting for JASO MA compliant oil.

    Currently picked this up (as written on the side)...

    Shell
    Rotella
    T4 Triple Protection
    SAE 15W-40

    On the back panel the bottle states "*Compared to prior Shell Rotella Triple Protection 15W-40" and later states, "Meets the performance requirements of: ... JASO MA/MA2 ..."


    Given the notes and compliance listing, seems like the right thing.
     
  5. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    It is. Shell is above-board when it comes to their claims.
     
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  6. Chris Wathen

    Chris Wathen New Member

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    K-Moe what is the weight that you would use for shell rotella on an xj750??
    Thanks Chris
     
  7. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Conventional Rotella Triple Protection only comes in the one weight; 15W-40.
     
  8. kerriskandiesinc

    kerriskandiesinc Active Member

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    Why does no one recommend a 5W-40, or a 5W-50....if available, surely, that specification gives THE most protection/cold start protection.....cold start is, supposedly where 80% of engine wear occurs...I have always used the broadest range of protection available?
     
  9. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    5W is for cold cold weather riding like below freezing
     
  10. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    upload_2017-5-15_11-38-30.png
     
  11. kerriskandiesinc

    kerriskandiesinc Active Member

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    Thats a very common misconception though, the 5 part is ONLY applicable upon cold start, like any modern multigrade, once the engine warms up...the 5W, 'magically' becomes 10W, then 15W, etc, etc, until it reaches 40 or 50W........IE: the broadest range of protection !

    Just wondered why no one else uses or likes a 5W-40 (or 50...if thats even available on this spec) multigrade oil.....?
     
  12. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    yamaha spec is 10w30 for colder weather
    and 20w40 for warmer weather

    you can run what you want but do you really need the 5w spec?

    it gets minus 20 here I do not start my bikes over the winter
     
    Last edited: May 15, 2017
  13. kerriskandiesinc

    kerriskandiesinc Active Member

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    Lol!
    I HATE oil threads too, but, just curious as to why no one would consider a 5W-40 spec, thats all!

    Well, even though NY Winters can be pretty horrendous, most every cold start, unless the height of the Summer could be classed as cold...cold weather, that is, thus I'd always want that precious golden liquid to be flowing quickly, and freely around the engine.....cold start's ( allegedly) are where 80% of engine wear occurs...!
     
  14. XJ550H

    XJ550H Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    what do you pay and brand of your oil?

    I use rotella T3 Tripple (discontinued)and will be going to T4 when my case of oil runs out at 14$ a gallon.
     
  15. kerriskandiesinc

    kerriskandiesinc Active Member

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    I've been using Shell Rotella Diesel, for as long as it's been available, in 15-40 but lately 5W-40..although I DO think the sulphur content has gone down :(
     
  16. Connor Bunch

    Connor Bunch New Member

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    You say you used to use Rotella T4 15w-40, but now use 5w-40? Is that 5w-40 stuff you use simply another variant of Shell Rotella? I am curious what that oil you are using is and how much it costs.

    I'm literally heading to Wal-Mart right now and I am going to pick up a gallon of Shell Rotella T4 15w-40 for about $14.
     
  17. kerriskandiesinc

    kerriskandiesinc Active Member

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    Yes..
    the 'Old' Shell Rotella was a 15W-40.....which was fine, but I always thought it would be 'better' if it was a 10W or even a 5W
    lo and behold, the 'new' Shell Rotella is a 5W40... although, supposedly the sulphur content has gone down :(

    I've been using it for a few years now.....
     
  18. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    A lower sulphur content is not a bad thing. It does nothing to help lubricate, resist shear, or improve longevity of the oil.
    You may be thinking of ZDDP, which has been lowered, but not enough to be of concern for us.
     
  19. kerriskandiesinc

    kerriskandiesinc Active Member

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    That MIGHT be it, i thought sulphur was good for (coating?)cam bearing surfaces, and the like?....but, i might have gotten that confused with ZDDP......
     
  20. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    Seems lik you did. Sulphur is a naural component of crude oil, and is removed (to varying degrees depending on the end product) as part of the refining process.
     

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