Oil Change

I looked in some of the suggested threads, but didn't find what I'm looking for.
The oil in the bike needs changing badly I'm sure. PO didn't run it long, but it's been sitting for a couple months with no oil change.

I'm wondering what viscosity people typically like to use with the 500 and how much. The manual is a bit confusing on that, saying 3qts one place and 2.5 another. I'll be riding in ~50* weather until next spring, as well as storing it for the winter with the same oil. I already picked up a wix filter for it, but i just read a post here saying they lost a wix seal and it went through the engine. ? I've been using wix filters in my car for years. As I understand, they are just about the best.

 

Wix are decent filters, not the best or most expensive.

Rotella 15W-40 full synthetic would work fine for the 500.
If you are afraid of synthetic I would recommend a motorcycle specific 10W40 for below 40 degree F riding and 20W-50 for summer riding if the weather stays consistently hot 90-100+ F.

 

Hmmm. I didn't know there was motorcycle specific oil. Seems it's a bit more expensive than automotive oil! Also harder to find. Is automotive oil not acceptable for bikes? The only stuff I've been able to find around here after looking on google and calling around is amsoil full synthetic 10w-40. The motor has a couple miles on it and might be a tad bit leaky. I don't know what the PO put in it, so my inclination is to go with conventional in stead of synthetic.

What about quantity? 2.5 or 3 quarts with the oil filter? Is the motor going to be upset if I overfill by half a quart and just put 3 in?

 

There is motorcycle specific oil, and I would not use auto oil. Remember this stuff does not just go in your engine it is also inside your transmission. I found this article to be very informative on the difference between auto and motorcycle oil.

Motorcycling -- The Honda V4 Files and More

As far as where to find it. Any dealer that sells motorcycles and has a parts department sells motorcycle oil. I would go to your local Honda motorcycle dealer and pick up a few quarts of ether Honda synthetic or non-synthetic motorcycle oil (depending on what you want and what you want to spend). They should also be able to tell you how much you need.

 

Good read, thanks for sharing.

 

The API rating for motorcycle specific oil (wet clutch OK) is JASO MA. Shell Rotella T 15/40 is rated JASO MA, I have been using it in my bikes for several years, no problems. You will get several opinions on what oil to use, brand, viscosity, syn or dino, digest the info and decide for yourself.

 

They have Rotella 15/40 at your local Walmart, probably have a filter too. Go there and put your worries to rest.

 

Thanks a lot guys. I appreciate the advice.

 

I highly recommend a semi-synthetic blend oil in the older motorcycles because of the potential for oil leaks with a full
synthetic oil. I also recommend a 4 stroke motorcycle oil. I use Spectro Golden 4 10W40. You want a motorcycle rated
oil for the transmission and wet clutch. I put 2.5 quarts in and ran the bike and double checked the dip stick.
Semi-Synthetic blend if I remember correctly has all the lube advantages of full syn. except the following:
The semi syn. will not take the heat like full ( my cycle is water cooled)
The semi syn. will need to be changed sooner than full ( I change it every season)
Post what you used and how many quarts. Thanks

 

I grabbed the shell rotella t 15w40 and put 3 quarts in with a new filter.