Oh NO! It's an oil thread

**TN2Wheeler** · 10-19-2012

Yeah, I know it's right up there next to religion and politics and I don't want to go there; but, I encountered this link on another forum and I found it very informative, particularly regarding API classification of motor oils.

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Oils1.html

**stevegrab** · 10-19-2012

Wow, that's a pretty extensive article, only skimmed it.

**skyway_rider** · 10-27-2012

All I know is that you have to be careful what oil you put in motorcycles as some of the new stuff can cause the clutch to slip. I now run strictly motorcycle specific oil. Watch out for the "SN" designation and stay away from that oil.

I know that Castrol changed their formula a while back. I used to use it all the time and just bought it at Walmart. But last time I did my clutch started slipping on a new motorcycle. I then compared my new container of castrol to the old container and sure enough, the SN was stated instead of whatever...I forget now.

**bldrman** · 10-27-2012

Nice post Jim. I had read this some time back, and have it saved as a favorite. As I understand it, anything marked "energy conserving" is a no-no for bikes. I usually use automotive synthetic, but now even Castrol is energy conserving. I caught Valvoline M/C oil on a really good sale a while back, and stocked up, but I plan to go to Rotella after that. I really think that anything that you change regularly will outlast your desire to maintain ownership of said bike! Syd

**NormKern** · 10-28-2012

When I bought my st1300 used in 2006, it had regular oil in it but had previously had synthetic for awhile. My clutch started slipping after my first high gear roll-on and failed pretty quickly. During the rebuild, heavy duty springs were installed. Never a problem since, but I stay away from synthetics. Just checked the Castrol GTX oil I use and it is SM.

Norm Kern

**OldButNotDead** · 10-29-2012

Jim,
Not sure if that is an updated version, but it has been around for at least four or five years. There are couple of others by petroleum engineers and "experts" too. With oil threads it seems like logic or science does not apply.

**strey1100** · 10-29-2012

Oil Thread... Hmmm... Yes, I use oil in my bike... Any questions?

**stevegrab** · 10-31-2012

Oil you say, which one of these holes does it go into? Also, if the oil isn't too dirty can I just add some oil cleaner and reuse it?

But seriously, have been a long time Castrol GTX guy with regular 3K changes. Most recent batch is multi S rating, SN, SM, SL, SJ?

However, on two used bikes I acquired with lowe mileage, I'm sticking with the prior owners choices Mobil 1 in one and Rotella in the other. Will be switching to one of those on my high mileage (50K) VFR.