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Modern oil in old bike

  • Thread starter Thread starter brettule
  • Start date Start date
B

brettule

Guest
My '79 GS400 manual is calling for an SAE 10w-40 SE or SD rated oil. I know you should never use an oil rated lower than what is called for but is it ok to use the current modern SN rated oils in this engine?
 
Most of us here use Shell Rottella T Diesel oil in 10W40. There are many great synthetics out there that are now wet clutch safe and wont promote clutch slippage. I dont use synthetics due to the prices, and quite frankly it isnt necessary if you just change the oil and filter every 3,00 as would usually be done anyway.
 
For the most part, newer oil is better oil.

The only thing to watch for is oil that will say "Energy Conserving" in the API 'donut' on the rear panel. Fortunately, most (probably all) of the "EC" oils are 30-weight and lighter, not the 10w-40 that is recommended.

As Chuck mentioned, many of us are using Rotella oils. They are formulated for diesel engines, so are not quite so tightly regulated for the heavy-metal content that has been removed from automotive oils because they tend to clog catalytic convertors on high-mileage engines. Those heavy metals are what protects the gears in the transmission, which is lubricated by the engine oil in our bikes.

Chuck mentioned the expense of synthetic oil. Some of us don't mind it. My bikes take the full gallon that is in the jug. "Regular" Rotella (15w-40) is about $12 at Wal-Mart, the synthetic oil (5w-40) is a whopping $21. Personally, I don't mind paying the extra.

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That of course depends on ones money situation Steve. I am not swimming in cash after paying the bills. I get my Rottella at Oriellys when they have the 5 QT jugs on sale for $19.99. I will get one and store it till its time for one of the bikes to be serviced.
 
No problem, Chuck, and not everybody prefers synthetic.

That's why we have choices and shop accordingly. :encouragement:

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Here, in the US of A, "tractor oil" is not commonly found in most automotive-type stores.

You have to go to a tractor specialty store, which is not commonly found in major metropolitan areas.

And, ... most of us try to keep oil away from our brakes. :oops:

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Steve said:
Here, in the US of A, "tractor oil" is not commonly found in most automotive-type stores.

You have to go to a tractor specialty store, which is not commonly found in major metropolitan areas.

And, ... most of us try to keep oil away from our brakes. :oops:

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Click to expand...

Would it be harmful to the clutch though? I have a tractor supply store near me and was wondering the same. You can buy bigger size bulk oils at the tsc near me.
 
78550GS said:
Would it be harmful to the clutch though? I have a tractor supply store near me and was wondering the same. You can buy bigger size bulk oils at the tsc near me.
Click to expand...

Rural King here sells Rotella T 15W-40 in 55 gallon drums for about $9 per gallon.

If I only had a forklift at home.......
 
Any 10w-40 is going to be fine. Even the Wal-mart house brand, or what you find at a convenience store. It's all quite a bit better than what was available 30+ years ago. IMO, people waaaay overthink oil.
 
RichDesmond said:
Any 10w-40 is going to be fine. Even the Wal-mart house brand, or what you find at a convenience store. It's all quite a bit better than what was available 30+ years ago. IMO, people waaaay overthink oil.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but Rotella T is cheaper than pretty much any automotive engine oil, even the generic store brands.
 
Oil Levels

Oil Levels

Chuck and Steve,

I have taken your advice on the type of oil I put in my "T". I have a Walmart discount card so I go for the expensive Rotella Oil. It brought me nothing but happiness when I was riding in New Mexico. Once I find something I am comfortable with, I stick with it.



Ed
 
chuck hahn said:
That of course depends on ones money situation Steve. I am not swimming in cash after paying the bills. I get my Rottella at Oriellys when they have the 5 QT jugs on sale for $19.99. I will get one and store it till its time for one of the bikes to be serviced.
Click to expand...

Chuck, you would be paying $4 per quart at this price. Steve says Walmart price is $12 for 1 gallon which would equate to $3 per qt.
 
Just a bit of info... we over here in Aus don't get Rotella and the diesel ones we do have don't have as much zinc and some of the other bits and pieces in our diesel oils, so it's not quite the same.

I ran Castrol GTX 10w40 diesel oil for a while and it seemed find but I have switched to Penrite HPR15 15w50 semi synthetic oil and it's a little better for gear changes etc. It's also a little cheaper as a 5L bottle is a similar price to a 4L bottle of the Castrol.

I switched to this after trying some others and chatting to the Katana guys who have had excellent success with it.
 
Motorcycle or diesel oil is the stuff.

Modern auto oils are less desirable due to reduced zinc and phosphorus levels compared to these other oil formulations. Zinc and phosphorus are critical anti-wear additives, but bad for catalytic converters, thus the reduced levels in auto oils compared to when our GS bikes were made.
 
Brendan W said:
Has anyone used universal tractor oil - STOU. They claim it's ok for wet brakes
Click to expand...

I was about to try that a few years ago - went down the local creamery [1] and had a look to see what the farmers were using, but discovered they were all buying Finol Kappa 15W-40 turbo diesel motor oil, and as it was at the right price (probably why they were buying it) got some for my vans. Later, I used it in the GS, with no problems, as you'd expect. That, and Tetrosyl 15W-40 from the same source.
If I come across some STOU synth at the right spec and price for me, I'd still give it a whirl.

[1] For other readers - the local farmers' supply store is known locally as "The Creamery", relating to a history of rural famers' co-ops which brought in agri-supplies as well as buying in the milk and seperating it, which was their main business. Over time, many of these stores have amalgamated and expanded, so that some of them are now full-on hardware sheds with needles to anchors in stock.
 
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