Oil Change Questions

[saaz]

Oil..oil..what a debate!

The only test I have seen indicates not much difference at all between motorcycle specific oils and cars oils in terms of viscosity breakdown. basically a good oil (car or bike) is a good oil. Change it regulalrly first, then worry about car or bike oil next.

Any car oil that is an oil fuel conserving oil is not suitable for bikes as it may contain friction modifiers. Any oil of 50 weight or above does not have to conform to these standards, so is a safe bet, 40 weights or above are probbaly ok.

The normal good car oils are much better than the oils when the GSs were designed. The biggest difference I have found is putting on a decent big oil cooler...the oil has a much easier time and the mechanicals last better

[Anonymous]

While we're on the subject of oil etc.... When you buy these oil filters, do you get the shaped O-ring for the filter cover? For a while I wasn't getting ANY, now a different brand, Meiwa, I believe, has one, but it doesn't fit my bike. Probably fits the other Suzukis which the filter also fits.

My FRAM filter from Advance Auto Parts came with the O-ring for the filter cover. You can find FRAM at just about any auto store, Walmarts, Meijers, or just about any other department store.

And yes, I did change the oil while it was hot.

[Anonymous]

I recently saw an ad by Valvoline in Motorcyclist magazine. It announced that Valvoline now has 10W-40 (and perhaps 20W-50) motorcycle-specific mineral oil, available at AutoZone, Meijer, Murray's, Checker, Schucks, and Kragen stores.

I can confirm that, my last oil (no filter) change was with that Valvoline purchased at the Meijer about 5 minutes from my place. I saw it there and decided to try it out... No problems as of yet. Didn't see any 20W-50 though.

[Anonymous]

GS 650 L oil leak

I have a GS 650 L that I just bought, and it is leaking a bit of oil out of that front oil drain plug on the filter. I haven't taken it apart yet to look at it, but is there a gasket I can replace that will stop this, or could there be another problem? It is a very slow drip, and only while i'm reving the engine.

Also I use the Kawchem synthetic oil on my Kaw Vulcan. Is it a good idea to use the same brand of oil on my GS? I've been very happy with how it treats my Vulcan. Just wonderig if I should expect similar results.

[Anonymous]

Oil Change Questions

Time for my 2 1/2 sense..Get a Filter and all fluids at purchase (used) I assume, get a Clymer manual, test light, and remeber guys find out what the prior owner was using, stick with it.(within reason)if he got sucked into the synthetic stuff stay with it. I run from 1/2 mph to 120 mph in weather 10 degrees to 110 degrees on an all stock set-up except for duct-tape and it seems to just chatter away, PS: It seems to like mid to high range RPM's (don't know tach broke.) My support goes out to you. I use Castrol GTX 15-40. on a 25000 mile 850G.