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Engine Oil (again)
- Micha
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- Location: Israel
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Engine Oil (again)
But then again, 40w old-school oil is getting more and more difficult to find these days, at least over here in Israel. So the old bike guys come up every then and now with a new idea. Last I have heard is a 15w/30 oil type, mentioned for Diesel engines. All oils will work ok on spot, but long term influence is what we’re talking here about.
1. What do you think?
2. What are you using if the old version is unavailable? Any modern substitute?
R51/3 1952
Engine Nr. 529466
- schrader7032
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By old school, I'm assuming
I would recommend avoiding anything designed for a diesel engine. The combustion environment for a diesel and gas engine are not the same so the oil will react differently. For the older engines, an API rating (US specs) oil of SG/SH is the best. The big push in the US was to reduce the anti-wear features in the SG/SH oils because of problems with automobile catalytic converters. But oils that are made specifically for motorcycles are exempt from that and can maintain these additives. Modern oils will be detergent oils.
The problem with detergent oils is that they hold combustion products in suspension so that the oil filter can scavenge them out. Ooops...no oil filter on the pre 1970 bikes! Non-detergent oils let the small particles sink to the bottom of the oil pan so they could be cleaned out. If the switch is made to a detergent oil, expect to change the oil much more often before the oil gets too dirty. Typically people will change them once a year or every 1000 miles.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
- Micha
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Thank you Kurt for this
I have no problem at all changing the oil more frequently.
Is it just this issue, or is there also a thing regarding modern oil attacking in some way the old-school bearings?
R51/3 1952
Engine Nr. 529466
- schrader7032
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For engine oil, it's not a
http://www.benchmarkworks.com/articles/ ... aroil.html
The way I've heard this that it happened in a Volvo car, so the natural "extension" was to BMW motorcycles. I've not heard of BMW motorcycles falling apart on the sides of the road. But I suppose it couldn't hurt.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
Vech recommends Valvoline VR
Icarus
- schrader7032
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The Valvoline VR1 is a good
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
- schrader7032
- Posts: 9057
- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:00 am
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I only see multi-weight
https://www.valvoline.com/our-products/ ... racing-oil
And more info:
https://sharena21.springcm.com/Public/D ... 162d889bd3
That said, I did find just 40w online, so I guess it exists. I just didn't know. I've run multi-weight all my life, so I will continue with that rather than switch.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
I’m not sure the VR 1 HIGH
Icarus
- schrader7032
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I had many bottles of 20w50
I chose 20w50 for my testing because I was primarily concerned with my /7 which requires that oil. BMW had changed supplies of their oil so I have now gone to Spectro 4 for my /7.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
1969 r60/2 US model Engine:
Engine: Valvoline VR-1 Racing oil, 30 weight.
Gearcase: StaLube Gear Oil GL-4 (you know why).
Rear Wheel Drive (Final Drive) SAE 90W
Rear Swing Arm SAE 90W
I use Valvoline 80-90 in both of the above.
Change all fluids every 1000 miles and just did so shy of 26,000 original miles a couple days ago. I'll see about servicing the slingers at 60,000 or more if I still own the bike then.
I never heard about doing slingers every 20,000 miles. The story I got from my mechanic was BMW was so enamored with their product-line being so superior that the engineers omitted a replaceable filter and instead placed slinger-service just around the time you might have your entire engine re-built anyway... 60 to 100,000 miles. It may be just another Vintage Urban Legend but certainly does sound very German.
1969 BMW r60/2, US Model, 1995 BMW K75, 2006 Yamaha TW200, 2007 Ural Patrol, 1991 Honda XR250L