Re: Whats the best oil?

Posted by sgtslag on Apr 11, 2012; 4:53pm
URL: http://vintage-and-classic-hondas.81.s1.nabble.com/Whats-the-best-oil-tp3901434p3903121.html

The Shell Rotella T6 Synthetic is actually a highly refined dino oil, that performs like a full synthetic -- and it is relatively inexpensive, at Wal-Mart, around $21/gallon.  It is rated SM for cars, supposedly JASO rated for motorcycles; minimal friction modifiers (not listed, but it seems to appear on the MSDS); high detergent levels, which will keep your engine/transmission clean.  Good stuff -- do an Internet search on "Rotella T6 motorcycle", for more information, and commentary.

If you've never SeaFoam'ed your engine, get a 16 oz. can, for around $9, and add 1-1/2 oz. per quart of engine oil (5.5 -6.0 oz.; either use the remainder on your cars/trucks/other engines, or add it to the fuel tank, to clean out the fuel system of varnish).  Put the bike on the centerstand, let it idle until the oil reaches 180 F (around 5 minutes, no cooling fan needed), shifting through all gears while idling (will circulate SeaFoam throughout the transmission gears).  Then drain the oil, and change the filter.  This will dissolve varnish, and carbon deposits, from within the engine/transmission, trapping most of it in the filter (check your oil before you add the SeaFoam, and then note its color when you drain it -- it will likely start out caramel-colored, changing to coal black when you drain it...).  Then fill with Rotella T6.  The SeaFoam will not harm your engine, or your seals/gaskets.  It will clean out your engine, and your bike's transmission, though, better than anything else I've found (do NOT add SeaFoam Engine Treatment to your 4-wheeled vehicles' transmissions -- they require a separate, different SeaFoam product in their transmissions).  This need only be done once, if switching to Rotella T6, as there won't be any crud from that point forward, unless you abuse your engine (excessive heat, oil changes performed beyond 7,000-10,000 mile intervals, etc.).  Even if you use a cheap, inexpensive automotive oil, the SeaFoam treatment won't be needed for another 20,000 to 40,000 miles, if even then, with regular oil/filter changes.  Cheers!