modern equivalent oils/greases

[Goro F]

i get the idea of this topic from one of my latest post where i was asking the support for finding a good alternative for the oil mentioned in the original spec.

ORIGINALE SPEC / MODERN ALTERNATIVE
1 - Oil in engine : Summer – SAE 40-50, Winter SAE 20-30 --> modern alternative: ?
2 - Oil in trasmission: : Summer – SAE 40-50, Winter SAE 20-30 ---> modern alternative: Gl4 85/90, 40/50W engine oil if are mounted original seals that are no meant to work with hypoid gear oil, VR1 40W

6 - Oil in Front Wheel Fork: SAE 20 --> modern alternative: ?
7- Oil in Propeller Shaft: Mobilube GX 90 or Shell Spirax 90 --> modern alternative: ?
3 - Grease Left rear suspension: Mobil Grease No.4 or Shell Retinax RB --> modern alternative: ?

hope it's opportunity to share best practices that in general are also valid for vintage bikes

[Micha]

Excellent idea.
I think that the most critical issue in our motorcycles is the engine oil.
Here in my country for example, it is almost impossible to find good old 40 oil for these old engines. Only one place keeps it in stock (Castrol Classic Green). But, it is very expensive and there is no guarantee that they will continue to import such a slow moving item.
Back in the 90's, the guys that consumed 40 oil started to switch to 20-50, but guess what - nowadays you can't find that either.
Many of the old motorcycle owners no longer know how to solve this problem. They understand that modern motor oils should be avoided. I even once heard someone running his engine with modern SG or SH diesel oil, as he had no other choice.

Is it really possible to use another oil that is not 40 or 20/50? Assuming the oil is changed every six months?

[schrader7032]

I'm not sure that it is the change interval on engine oil that should drive your decision. You want a specific weight oil for the temperature for it's viscosity effects. The viscosity of the oil allows it to flow easily for all areas of operation. You want oil flowing as it is what is keeping the metal parts of the engine from touching each other. Without that proper viscosity, the oil is squished out and metal touches metal which is not good.

[808Airhead]

Being a vintage VW enthusiast as well as a passionate BMW pre-69 bike collector/fan/mechanic,I use the same as I do on the VW's.
1. Valvoline VR-1 40W racing oil,it has zinc added.
2. Lucas 80-90W gear oil....makes noticable improvement in shifting in my exerience.
3. Grease,I use Moly grease I get in packets that come with European made CV boot kits for foreign cars.I have extras,and I use this. Moly grease is the way to go!

[Slash2]

Isn’t Lucas a GL-5 product?

[808Airhead]

Yes, but it is yellow metal safe, it meets or exceeds GL5 and MT-1 ratings

[Goro F]

ciao Thomas

initially you wrote Lucas 85-90W, was it a type error? I was looking for it but on the web i only found lucas 80-90w. Also in the picture of data sheet you share is mentioned 80-90W. Is it this the right one?

[Slash2]

Have you opened your gearbox after using this GL5 and inspected the condition of the brass bushings?

[DIS295]

There is a wide range of brass compatibility with GL-5 oils. Some are Ok, some marginal and others bad. There's an astm D130 test called the copper strip test which measures the amount of tarnish that a controlled exposure to the oil generates.
Below is a partial set of results I found.1a is good, 1b less so, down through 4a & 4b, not good. Supposedly, an oil can be sold as GL4/GL5 which means that it's copper friendly and has the high pressure additives required by hypoid gears. Liqui-Moly has a gl4/5 75/90 mineral oil that I use. Not all oils have been subjected to the D130 test. Some suggest that we need an updated test for this.

Amsoil Long Life FGR 75W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Amsoil Severe Gr SVG 75W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Amsoil M/T Fluid MTF 5W-30 1A Light Orange

Amsoil MT & Gear MTG 75W-90 GL4 1B Dark Orange

Castrol Hypoy C 80W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Castrol SYNTEC 75W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Citgo Citgear Std XD 75W-90 GL4 1B Dark Orange

Delo Gear Lubric ESI 80W-90 GL5 2A Claret Red

Delo Trans Fluid ESI 50W 2A Claret Red

GM Synthetic Axle 75W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Lucas 75/90 Synthetic 75W-90 GL5 4B Graphite Blk

Mobil 1 Synthetic 75W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Mopar Synthetic

w/Mopar LS additive 75W-90 GL5 4A Trans Black

Pennzoil Gearplus 80W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Pennzoil Synthetic 75W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Red Line MT-90 75W-90 GL4 1A Light Orange

Red Line NS Gear Oil 75W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Red Line 75W90 GL-5 75W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Royal Purple Max-Gear 75W-90 GL5 4A Trans Black

Torco SGO Synthetic

w/Torco Type G LS add 75W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Valvoline High Perf 80W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Valvoline SynPower 75W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

[schrader7032]

In case you wanted those by grades:

1A
Amsoil M/T Fluid MTF 5W-30 1A Light Orange

Red Line MT-90 75W-90 GL4 1A Light Orange

1B
Amsoil Long Life FGR 75W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Amsoil Severe Gr SVG 75W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Amsoil MT & Gear MTG 75W-90 GL4 1B Dark Orange

Castrol Hypoy C 80W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Castrol SYNTEC 75W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Citgo Citgear Std XD 75W-90 GL4 1B Dark Orange

GM Synthetic Axle 75W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Mobil 1 Synthetic 75W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Pennzoil Gearplus 80W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Pennzoil Synthetic 75W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Red Line NS Gear Oil 75W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Red Line 75W90 GL-5 75W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

w/Torco Type G LS add 75W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Valvoline High Perf 80W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

Valvoline SynPower 75W-90 GL5 1B Dark Orange

2A
Delo Gear Lubric ESI 80W-90 GL5 2A Claret Red

Delo Trans Fluid ESI 50W 2A Claret Red

4A
w/Mopar LS additive 75W-90 GL5 4A Trans Black

Royal Purple Max-Gear 75W-90 GL5 4A Trans Black

4B
Lucas 75/90 Synthetic 75W-90 GL5 4B Graphite Blk