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Question about the recommended Valvoline VR-1 racing oil
- Micha
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Question about the recommended Valvoline VR-1 racing oil
after reading lots of posts here from the past about the famous oil issue, after your info regarding my last oiled question, I have also red Vech's article where he recommends this VR-1 oil because of the high ZDDP content.
BUT, this oil is also rated in the manufacturer's site with performance API levels of SL grade,
which as far as I understood from the reading, is a no-no to our engines, that should only be fed with SB, SG, SH, SF oils, and avoided from SL (and SM).
1. Am I right or wrong? Probably wrong, so what did I misunderstood here? (Of course I would love to hear the opposite that I'm right, because usually, at home, I'm always wrong, you know).
2. What will be a better oil - if API is ok - 20/50 or straight 40 ?
R51/3 1952
Engine Nr. 529466
- schrader7032
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Re: Question about the recommended Valvoline VR-1 racing oil
As for oil grade, what do owners manuals of the day suggest? I don't think it was 20w50 for an R51/3, but more likely 30w in the winter and 40w in the summer. So, it depends on the temperature range you plan on operating in. All oils have ranges of operating environments so you want an oil that works in that range. From my pre 1970 bikes, the manuals suggest the 30 and 40 oils but my winters are fairly mild, or at least I would be riding, so I've gone with a 10w40 oil in them.
Basically, if you have only the API ratings to go on, only use something that touts SF/SG. If you have the chemical specs and you can see that the oil has levels of zinc and phosphorus that are both well above 1000, that's the best thing to know you're going to be OK with the oil.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
- huntmiller
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Re: Question about the recommended Valvoline VR-1 racing oil
1965 R69s w/Wixom fairings and bags
1979 R65 w/Siebenrock 860cc, Luftmeister fairing
- schrader7032
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Re: Question about the recommended Valvoline VR-1 racing oil
Is 20w50 OK for a /2? I too use 20w50 in my /7, but I came down to 10w40 in my /2 and single cylinder bikes.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
- Micha
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Re: Question about the recommended Valvoline VR-1 racing oil
Thanks a lot!schrader7032 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 23, 2021 10:17 amBasically, if you have only the API ratings to go on, only use something that touts SF/SG.
Aren't SB & SH also in the "good guys" list?
R51/3 1952
Engine Nr. 529466
- schrader7032
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Re: Question about the recommended Valvoline VR-1 racing oil
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.