Need oil advise

Hi to all, still the new guy here and I am getting ready to change out the oil in my VF500 and from looking at the book I can use 20w-40 in my bike. Since they don't make that grade in Castrol GTX I am planning on using 20w-50. I really like this oil since it was originally developed for high performance engines. Or so I have been told by my Honda guru. Has anyone else used this grade? I have run into trouble on my 86 Radian running 10w-30 in it. The oil light stayed lit but when I switched to the slightly thicker oil the light went out i.e. higher oil pressure. I was also wondering that if I run 20w-50 that I might be getting better oil pressure to the top end. And coating the parts up there with thicker oil that might also coat things better. So any thoughts on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

 

I was told with my bike that I need the pumpability of 10w40 in order to ensure that I get a good amount of oil to the top end. I don't know if the 500 is any different but I'm not sure going to a thicker oil is a good idea

 

I had someone put a thicker grade oil in my old VF500 and it made shifting much worse.

Stick with 10W40.....if there is the correct amount of oil in it and the oil light comes on you have bigger worries.

 

I recommend staying with the 10W-40.

Here is one option:

 

I would stay away from heavier oils. Think of it this way. Your filling a bucket from a garden hose, there is no nozzle on the hose and there is close to zero pressure in the hose but it has high flow. Same situation but with a nozzle that some what restricts flow even full open and the pressure in the hose is higher BUT less liquid is coming out. You only get pressure because there is a restricted path but when you use a thinner oil it moves around those restrictions easier than the thicker oil but you actually get more volume through. With the correct or a little bit thinner oil it takes less time for it to reach the top end where you really need it.

 

Consider running a 15w50, Motul Technosynth is a great product, it's not too thick but does lube better than the 10w.
My 400 runs best on the 15w40...

MOTUL

 

Say, Bomber, can you be sure that your Radian (I've owned a few and love them) didn't have a float/needle leakage problem ( somewhat common on Radians) that was diluting the oil and causing the low oil pressure ??

Obvioiusly, WHERE you ride can be significant in choice of oils, cus riding in a hot place (where 20W-50 might be best) needs a different oil from cold Northern climates where a lower weight would be necessary.

 

stay away from API energy conserving.Heavier oil than what is called for can affect milage etc. Mostly beause the actual viscosity can vsry from mfg to mfg. If you are unsure and want good stuff grab some shell 15w-40 rotella or Castrol gtx 10w-40. It is cheap way available and good for bikes of your age.

Now i hate myself for posting in another oil thread.

 

Ecologically minded riders should be aware that Castrol=BP. Remember the corporate irresponsibility that caused the oil spill ??

 

I agree SM but since his pref was Castrol i offerd of a Castrol option.

 

Thanks for all the advice I really do appreciate all the input and expertise this group of riders has. I was not aware that Castrol was BP. Well I guess that's the end of Castrol. Thinking about not supporting huge a-moral oil companies might want to try and avoid supporting Chavez down there in Argentina to. I do believe that is chevron. Think the Rotella idea is the one ill go with. To answer the guy about my Radian, my carb fuel needles do not leak. I replaced them and set up the float level. But I am aware of this problem so I also installed a secondary fuel shut off valve. And I always shut off the fuel there at every stop. Radian's also have a habit of letting fuel seep by that o-ring on the fuel needle seat. All I know is my Radian hates 10w-30.

 

With all this oil discussion, has any one fitted a external oil pressure gauge to their bike?

 

20W-50 only if you live in hot, africa-type climates.
If it gets remotely cold you would want to switch to 10W-40 or less when it does get cold.

Castrol is fine and every oil company is evil so I wouldn't really sweat what brand you buy, they will all work fine- just make sure it is JASO motorcycle rated- you don't want that new-age car crap in your motorcycle.

 

Rotela-T is the only thing I run in every thing from my mower to my tractor to my bikes and gas and diesel autos, has never failed me and it's wet clutch safe. I run it based on my experience from seeing parts from aircraft engines back in the day when I use to fly.

 

I run Rotella 15-40 as well.

 

Citgo is Chavez and it is Venezuela. Chevron is a US company. Shell Rotella dino and T are good choices. All oil companies suck. Exxon ownes Mobil now and I like Mobil one and hate Exxon. Rotella T6 synthetic is Jaso certified. Not sure about 15w-40 dino. But both are good for bikes. Stay away from energy conserving which sould be easy since most 10w-40 or the like is not energy conserving. Just check the rear of the bottle in the lower half of the circle.

 

Rotella ???

Away, back in the days ..................back before when there were any Japanese bikes here and the fastest things on American roads were English, Italian, and German import sports 2-seaters, many used Rotella. It was designed for heavy-duty transport trucks use, so dealers often suggested it. By 1964 it was in common use on a very few very uncommon "exotics," so nuttin' new there.

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Now, since everyone else was too polite to mention it, let me suggest that you may need spelling, as well as oil advice, unless you're British.