oil change

[Suzi83]

I have an '83 GS850GL that's ready for an oil change. Easy part: info on oil filler cap says 10W40. Slight confusion enters: previous owner sent along some Castrol 20W50. Sales person at local bike shop said not to use automotive oil in the bike because of different composition, additives and such. An online source suggested that some people use diesel oil for that vintage of bike. Gotta keep the gears and clutch plates happy, so does anyone have info that would cut through some of the yes/no/maybe?

[tkent02]

Most of us use Rotella, it's great for clutches, has the JASO MA rating for Japanese motorcycles. Comes in 15W40 dino oil or 5W40 synthetic. I use the Rotella 5W40 synthetic in the bikes that don't burn or leak oil, use the regular 15W40 Rotella in the ones that use some. Good stuff.

JASO MA
Japanese standard for special oil which can be used in 4-stroke motorcycle engine with one oil system for engine, gearbox and wet clutch system. Fluid is non-friction modified.

[JTGS850GL]

+1 to Shell Rotella. It's designed for diesel engines but meets the needs for a motorcycle. No anti friction components to screw up your clutch but tones of detergent capability.

[Steve]

Bring it on down, I'll show you how to do it.
Can also help guide you through some of the other stuff that needs to be done.
Always nice to meet another GSer in the area. We have about 20 GSers within about a 50-mile radius now.

Have you had this bike for a while or is it a recent purchase?

Yes, your sales person was correct, fortunately, most of the automotive oil with the "wrong" formulation is 30w or thinner, which should not be used in the bike, anyway, so that is not much of a problem.

Shell Rotella (diesel oil) is a forum favorite, then it comes down to whether you want 15w-40 "dino" oil or 5w-40 synthetic. Buy it by the gallon jug, it will take the whole jug, so the cost will be about $12 or $21, which isn't too bad either way.

.

[Suzi83]

Thanks for the reply. I got the bike last June. Put a Vance & Hines 4-into-1 header on it, had the carbs rejetted, and put 4 K&N filters on. Runs very nice. Oil doesn't really look that bad but I like to err on the side of caution when it comes to that. Can pick up some of the Rotella next time I stop at a truck stop (I drive a big truck).
IMG_5129.jpg

[Brendan W]

This overview is a it old but covers most of the issues

http://www.vfrworld.com/tex_vfr/tech/oil.htm

[bonanzadave]

Bring it on down, I'll show you how to do it.

Id be on that like a duckonajunebug ! Show up right before dinner....