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+--- Thread: What kind of oil is everybody running (/showthread.php?tid=4813)
RE: What kind of oil is everybody running - jedd_imp - 01-07-2018
When I 1st bought my bike, it came w/ the Honda GN4 10w-30 and honda filter.
about 1k miles later, TX summer heat was in full swing. And it was at that time that my motor started telling me very subtle things in which I wasn't hearing before. Shifting felt notchy, and I could hear it clunk loudly from gear to gear through my helmet. As a result, I was starting to think that I'm also hearing some gears whining while throttling up and down. I really couldn't tell for sure.
Then one day, I started it, and FOR SURE!- heard a new noise that sounded like cam chain noise. Like the cam chain is rubbing against the chain guide or against the side case. Well, long story short, I went with a thicker oil b/c it's just too darn hot down here to run 10w-30. And, one nice outcome is that the weird chain noise has never come back again.
So this is what I've been using for the past 1.5 yrs,
![[Image: 0dedd5aea5f7554faf173f6a3ddb9258.jpg]](https://cb1100forum.net/forum/uploads/imp/201801/0dedd5aea5f7554faf173f6a3ddb9258.jpg)
Yes, I could have bought the same viscosity in a m/c oil, but
I've had about 5 yrs of legacy data on this oil used in another m/c, and it's
held up unbelievably well. Far better than the M/C specific Bel-ray synthetic 10w-50 previously used in that m/c.
Also, this article I read:
http://www.ducatimeccanica.com/oil.html
reinforced my thoughts that there's more marketing than real data
to support a m/c specific oil. In addition, m/c oil has a HUGE markup. Dealers get them @ 40-50% below list price. So, when I pay $8-$10 a qt for m/c oil, am I getting 2x better protection than the car oil @ $4.50-$5/ qt?
I'm not advocating for anyone to go ahead and use what I'm using.
This works for me, so you got to decide what oil you're going to get w/ your money.
I'm just saying what's on my mind, really.
RE: What kind of oil is everybody running - Houtman_imp - 01-07-2018
I think that the article is from quite a few years ago , might still be valid but to play it safe I use the Mobil 1 synthetic 10/40 motorcycle oil. To prevent clutch slippage which MIGHT occur with automobile oils.
Walmart sell that for less than $10 /quart .
I agree with you that in the warmer climates a 10/30 is less preferable than a 10/40.
RE: What kind of oil is everybody running - jdinaz_imp - 01-08-2018
About a year ago, I called Mobil 1 and asked about motorcycle oil and what they recommended, they were very adamant about NOT using automobile oil in a motorcycle or ATV. Especially an air cooled machine, they claimed the mc oil has additional additives to deal with the heat. I figured they knew more about it than I did and took them for their word. But if you've had good luck with it....why not, and I realize they are in the business to sell oil.
RE: What kind of oil is everybody running - cookiemech - 01-08-2018
In support of what jedd is saying (and for the record, I do not yet have a CB1100 and when I do, I will evaluate the oil situation at that time), I have run the "automobile" Mobil 1 15W-50 oil in my motorcycles for 25 years or so with no adverse effects whatever.
These include a 1986 BMW R80RT (87K miles when I sold it), 1976 BMW R75/6 (72K), 2000 BMW R1100RT (only 42K miles), 1994 BMW K75RT (76K), 1995 BMW K75 (50K), 2007 Harley Road King (50K), 2009 Harley Ultra (27K), 2009 Kawasaki KLR 650 (15K). I bought two new Harleys last summer (Road King and Road Glide Ultra) and switched the RK to Mobil 1 at 5000 miles; the RGU only has 1600 miles so I'm still running conventional oil.
Note that most of these bikes have dry clutches, so are not relevant to any slippage problems, but the KLR certainly has a wet clutch and I have had no shifting or clutch slip whatever with it. (Although the Harleys have wet clutches, they run in separate oil from the engine and transmission.)
I think the issue with "automotive" oils is that the "energy conserving" oils have friction modifiers that "may" cause problems with wet clutches. The "automotive" Mobil 1 15W-50 does not. Check the labels.
I have been inside many of these engines; never have I observed unusual wear or any problems whatever. If there is a problem with the Mobil 1 15W-50, I haven't seen it, and I've put some pretty expensive bikes to the test. If I'm somehow wrong, the punishment will fit the crime.
I'd like to point out that Mobil (or any purveyor of oil) has a vested interest in promoting the more expensive oil. Check the price of a five-quart jug of Mobil 1 15W-50 at Wal-Mart and then see how much the "motorcycle" version of their 10W-40 is.
RE: What kind of oil is everybody running - Houtman_imp - 01-08-2018
I am quite certain that you are right but for the few $$$ of saving I want not run the risk and do not want to wait for a problem.
I have had life insurance for 45 years and never had to use it yet but will one day !
RE: What kind of oil is everybody running - Calcb_imp - 01-08-2018
I just did some riding in 30-40 degree weather and wonder if 5-40 300V would be better than 10-40 300v. The oil never seemed to warm to the point where the shifts are normally like butter.
RE: What kind of oil is everybody running - flynrider - 01-09-2018
(01-08-2018, 03:27 PM)Calcb_imp Wrote: I just did some riding in 30-40 degree weather and wonder if 5-40 300V would be better than 10-40 300v. The oil never seemed to warm to the point where the shifts are normally like butter.
That might help. The thinner cold weather rating would make the viscosity a bit lower, which is what heat would do.
Another solution might be to block off part or all of the oil cooler with some metallic tape.
My air cooled airplane engine has a "winter plate" that blocks the oil cooler for cold weather flying, so that the oil can reach normal operating temperatures. Some of my fellow airplane owners that don't have the plate just use the metallic foil HVAC tape instead.
RE: What kind of oil is everybody running - Mscb1100_imp - 01-09-2018
Flynrider
Does the wind chill factor apply the temperature range the oil weight range?
RE: What kind of oil is everybody running - jtopiso_imp - 01-09-2018
(01-09-2018, 11:03 AM)Flynrider_imp Wrote:(01-08-2018, 03:27 PM)Calcb_imp Wrote: I just did some riding in 30-40 degree weather and wonder if 5-40 300V would be better than 10-40 300v. The oil never seemed to warm to the point where the shifts are normally like butter.
That might help. The thinner cold weather rating would make the viscosity a bit lower, which is what heat would do.
Another solution might be to block off part or all of the oil cooler with some metallic tape.
My air cooled airplane engine has a "winter plate" that blocks the oil cooler for cold weather flying, so that the oil can reach normal operating temperatures. Some of my fellow airplane owners that don't have the plate just use the metallic foil HVAC tape instead.
Doesn't the CB1100 have an oil thermostat that closes oil to the cooler until cooling is required?
RE: What kind of oil is everybody running - Lord Popgun - 01-10-2018
There is no oil flow thermostat. If the engine is running, oil is flowing through the cooler. This is shown in the Lubrication System section of the service manual.