Mobil Gold Cap seems to do the trick

[crazykz]

Ok so I've put in another round of Mobil One Gold Cap but this time 15w50. Good timing since it's been in the 90's for the past few days with no relief in sight.

But the reason I'm posting is that in testing the clutch slip I've had since the 1000 miles I had the bike. I've tried different oils (Rotella, HP4, Mobil One) and twice on two seperate tests the Mobil One has not slipped.

This slip occurs at around 5500 RPM's when I'm hard on it in first. I found this out by accident when I had to change out my oil on a trip and could only get Mobil One Gold Cap 10w30 on a trip. I noticed the clutch never slipped. I thought it was a fluke so I went back to HP4 for two changes. The clutch would slip. So now after two days and 100+ miles on the new Mobil One Gold Cap 15w50 the clutch doesn't slip.

It's all odd, it's all subjective but I'm going to keep checking it every 1000 miles or so to see if it comes back. I don't like getting on it that hard so I only test it a couple times within an oil change cycle.

Can't explain it and I know the biggest debate we have is oil. So this seems to work for me after trying a lot to figure it out. I hope it stays that way.

Curt

[Fireball18]

Based on what I've read, the rule of thumb is, avoid any oil that has an
xxW30 rating. Apparently these are oils that are the so-called "energy-conserving" oils. They can be identified by the "sunburst" on the label of the container. These oils contain lubrication enhancers that make them too slippery to be used in motorcycles unless the bike has a dry clutch. Even then, these oils contain additives that are supposedly (potentially) harmful to other parts of the engine and transmission, such as certain seals, etc.

In an interesting talk with the part owner of our local BMW shop, I learned from Henry, who has, I think, a doctorate in engineering and is a retired navy admiral who was in charge of the flight testing and training program for the navy's FA18 fighter jet program, that any oil that is xxW40 or above is OK for motorcycle use, and that Shell Rotella T is, among other things, rated for diesel engine use, and just fine for motorcycle use. (sorry about the long sentence) He did a thesis study for the better part of a year on oils and he learned this. His recommendation was that any oil rated for diesel engine use is just fine for motorcycles because it's formulated for the high stress environment of a diesel engine. Take this FWIW, but I do trust Henry's opinion. In fact, he didn't even recommend BMW's oil or any of the oils that BMW recommends for use in their bikes!! Gotta be something to it.

[crazykz]

I do know about the energy conserving piece of it and the 10w30 I used did not have it in it which was the only reason I used it. I'm runinng 15w50 this time but now I need to find something for the colder times. I'm having a hard time finding 10w40 which is what I would prefer.

Curt

[sherob]

I know Castrol has a synthetic 10W40... don't know if it is a conservation oil though. You might check that out. ;)

[NormanPCN]

I'm runinng 15w50 this time but now I need to find something for the colder times. I'm having a hard time finding 10w40 which is what I would prefer.

Curt

How cold? A 15 weight synthetic work in pretty cold temps.

[crazykz]

Let me say I am a complete moron when it comes to knowing what oil is good to run at what temps. I'm only going by the temp ranges listed in the owners manual for the bike.

I ride into November/December so nothing below freezing usually but I will spend a full day out in below 40 weather.

Curt

[gstanfield]

Just so you know, it's not the temp you're riding in that is as important as the temp at which you start your engine. When the engine reaches operating temps it really doesn't matter much how cold it is, as the inside of the engine will be pretty consistant, and like Norman said, a 15W synthetic is good down to pretty cold, although I have seen a time when Mobil 0W-30 did not give me any oil pressure for almost 30 seconds in my truck, but it was 45 below zero at the time.

George

[dannyk]

15W50 syn should be good for you year round, I run 15w50 in my old 6 cyl. ford pickup all last winter here in the up, never failed to start and that includes -25 below zero, truck was parked outside all winter as it is the only vehicle that I use in the winter 110 K miles on it. :biker:

[tdeboeser]

Good lord it gets cold where you guys are ! :eek: :snow1:

Tom de

[tdeboeser]

Oh BTW. Has anybody had an analysis done on Gold Cap 15w50? I'm running it, and I'll get one done, but I won't be for another 2000 miles or so...

Thanks,

Tom de

[GRN]

did you have an analysis done on Gold Cap 15w50? How did it come out if so?

[tdeboeser]

opps, forgot I said that :rolleyes:. I've been thru a few changes with Gold Cap. No probs - But now I'm having trouble finding Gold Cap 15w50, I need a change bad.

Maybe I'll have my next change done - I have a busy weekend planed... :03biker: ... ;).


Tom de

[Mark]

opps, forgot I said that :rolleyes:. I've been thru a few changes with Gold Cap. No probs - But now I'm having trouble finding Gold Cap 15w50, I need a change bad.

Maybe I'll have my next change done - I have a busy weekend planed... :03biker: ... ;).


Tom de

Tom,

I get my Gold Cap 15/50 at Wally's World.... I do check and pick a gallon up whenever I see it there, so that I have one on hand when I need it...
Mark

[wjbertrand]

I do know about the energy conserving piece of it and the 10w30 I used did not have it in it which was the only reason I used it. I'm runinng 15w50 this time but now I need to find something for the colder times. I'm having a hard time finding 10w40 which is what I would prefer.

Curt

It's interesting that vertually all the 10w-30 cage oils I've seen, including Mobil 1 Green cap have the "Energy conserving" moniker on them except the Mobil 1 Gold Cap series, including the 10W-30 weight

[AZST]

Tom,

I get my Gold Cap 15/50 at Wally's World.... I do check and pick a gallon up whenever I see it there, so that I have one on hand when I need it...
Mark

Mark,

I know you only do the MG1 G-Cap. However, what is your interval on Chris' ST13 for oil changes? Some are religious at every 3k, others run to 6k between changes. What do you do?

--Bryan
04ST1300A
STOC# 5197
:04biker:

[Mark]

I use increments of 5000 miles ('cuz they're easy to see! :-) )

Mark

[dpadair]

[QUOTE=Fireball18]In fact, he didn't even recommend BMW's oil or any of the oils that BMW recommends for use in their bikes!!QUOTE]

Find out whyhe doesn't like BMW's oils.

[saaz]

Going by Hondas figures (in the ST11 police spec workshop manual, which includes 15W-xx oils), 15W is good for down to -7c or so, 10W-xx a bit below -10c.