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Tune up. Oil and plug help

  • Thread starter Thread starter Invictus22
  • Start date Start date
I

Invictus22

Guest
So finally got my bike running. 1980 gs550e. And I was wondering about oil. I have read places 15w-40 rotella is the way to go, but the actual plug reads 10w-40. Keep in mind this is the first oil change and tune up done in a few years after sitting. So what do you recommend I run? Also spark plug size/specs. I want to get all new plugs and wires but because of the age no one has the specs. So I was hoping to just go to a parts store with the specs and buy new ones. Any help is greatly appreciated!
 
32 years ago 10W-40 was the way to go. Welcome to the 21st century.
Most 10W-40 now have additives that do not play well with wet clutches. Plus the 15W-40 has better shear protection so the oil will not break down as quickly in a motorcycle transmission.
Plugs NGK B8ES.
Leave the wires alone for now, they are epoxied into the coils.
 
Oil- it's the neverending story

Plug wires - just see how they work, lots of them are still good after 30+ years - maybe get some new caps, they seem to be an issue

You can get new coils and wires in the aftermarket, but I'd hold off on that until it proves necessary

Plugs, NGK or ND
 
koolaid_kid said:
32 years ago 10W-40 was the way to go. Welcome to the 21st century.
Most 10W-40 now have additives that do not play well with wet clutches. Plus the 15W-40 has better shear protection so the oil will not break down as quickly in a motorcycle transmission.
Plugs NGK B8ES.
Leave the wires alone for now, they are epoxied into the coils.
Click to expand...

Thank you! I had originally bough rotella 15w-40 and then was told that I should use motorcycle specific 10w-40 so I returned it and paid an arm and a leg for the special kind. Nice to know I was right with the rotella. Four quarts should be plenty right? And thanks for the plugs size!
 
Your manual will tell you how much oil it takes. Varies by model.
 
I'm a 5w-40 Rotella synthetic convert myself. For plugs, save yourself some change and just go with NGK B8ES. I gapped mine to .031 and they are doing fine. Coils? Seems like they last a lifetime. Try the whole "clip a 1/4" of wire and reboot" route if you really need it.
 
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