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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> going full synthetic /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1114301570 Message started by mrbusdriver on 04/23/05 at 17:12:50 |
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Title: going full synthetic Post by mrbusdriver on 04/23/05 at 17:12:50 About time for my 2nd (1000 mile) oil change and I am jumping to full synthetic 10W40 Castrol Syntech. I had heard great stuff on Mobil 1 redcap, but this is gone, replaced (I believe) with a gold cap. I am not sure if it's the same formula, so I'm going with the Castrol, which I've also heard good stuff about. Maybe I'm over cautious...will most any auto type 10W40 work as long as it's not "energy conserving" in the SAE sticker? This Castrol is API Service SM SL SJ CF which I understand exceeds SF/SG. What might I expect in any changes in how my 03 Savage runs? Some say it smooths shifting (mine is "clunky" at times). ...or better yet, any reason that I shouldn't put this stuff in the machine? (other than the 4 something a quart cost...) Thanks for inputs...don't want to get an "oil war" going here... Dave 03 Savage, 918 miles |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by Reelthing on 04/23/05 at 18:14:35 I use mobil 1 v-twin synthetic 20w-50 - I started with 10w-40 but it seems to me the clutch slips a little w/10w-40 in higher gears and heavy throttle after the bike gets fairly hot - 20w-50 does not do this @85deg f outside we'll see this summer at 100f. |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by WD on 04/24/05 at 01:10:23 My wife's 96 800 Intruder loves Castrol Syntec blend 10W40. But not straight syn. My 98 Savage works best on 20W50 Castrol GTX dino-juice. It didn't like synthetic 10W40. Changed the oil, rode to a rally 3 or 4 hours from home. Next day did the rally "circuit", about 30 minutes of crawling at idle speed. Bike started sonding funny, so I checked the oil. It was ALL gone. Replaced it with GTX 20W50, hasn't been a problem since. Best advice is to try it and see how your bike likes it. Manufacturing tolerances aren't very consistent, some parts could be high end of the scale, other low end of the scale, on the same bike. Just how mass production is. Find an oil your bike likes. -WD |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by LondonThing on 04/24/05 at 04:14:46 Is it OK to use Mineral..?? Im currently using it in my savage.... |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by Oklahoma_Mike on 04/24/05 at 10:00:02 Reelthing and WD are you guys talking about Cycle oil only or auto oil? just want to make sure. cycle oil around here is far more exp. than auto oil. 8) |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by LondonThing on 04/24/05 at 10:24:40 Oklahoma_Mike wrote:
Cycle i belive.... :-) |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by mrbusdriver on 04/24/05 at 12:52:35 Well, took the bike for a short spin to warm it some then swapped out oil and filter, fresh syn in there now...and it started drizzling as I was finishing...rats! Forecasting rain and snowshowers tonite, occasional rain tomorrow. I am really, really ready for some good weather right about now! I did get the engine run some, parked, after the change. Two quarts even, shows on the high end of the range in the window. Piece of cake with my 2 wrenches, drain pan, funnel, and a rag. Not too bad for this rookie wrencher. Dave |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by Reelthing on 04/24/05 at 13:08:29 Oklahoma_Mike wrote:
I'm using Mobil-1 v-twin cycle oil - autozone has/had it for $6 something a quart - tried the 10w-40 but it didn't feel right - the 20w-50 feels better after the bike warms up a little |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by Oklahoma_Mike on 04/24/05 at 14:41:32 Thank you sir 8) |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by WD on 04/24/05 at 15:24:42 I use CAR oils in both the Savage and the Intruder. Works fine for a fraction of the cost of "motorcycle" oil. Based on my HD wrenching experience, same stuff, different package. Might be different now, but since my bike's run fine on car oil, that's what I'm staying with. -WD |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by rkutzner on 04/24/05 at 18:14:57 Motorcycle (and ATV) oils have additives that help them survive the demands of the clutch - preventing premature breakdown. I'd never use a car oil in any cylce or ATV with a clutch. Car oil might seem alright, but I doubt long term it would show itself to prevent wear like a motorcycle oil. I use Honda GN4 in every bike/ATV I own, they make a synthetic, too, but I'm sure the others mentioned are good, too. Use motorcycle oil, you GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR, it's not some conspiracy ;D Z400 CRF230F S40 |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by lancer on 04/24/05 at 21:07:21 I started out using regular auto oil from Walmarts shelf, my Savage was OK with it, a couple of different brands. When I switched to Amsoil the engine was noticeably smoother, slight...but noticeable. I get it for $4 a quart, so $8 twice a year isn't exactly anything I would give a second thought to. No clutch problems...use 20W50. |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by WD on 04/24/05 at 23:24:26 My 98 is 7+ years in my possession. I have used the factory 10W40 twice, once one I took delivery of the bike and then after dealer service (bike wasn't happy). I tried factory 20W50 (bike was VERY unhappy). Quaker State 4X4 full synthetic (supposedly for low RPM, low speed operation) and that was a BIG mistake (the oil disappeared in less than 24 hours of riding). I switched to Castrol GTX (North American market) 20W50 CAR dino-juice. The bike never ran or shifted better. Suzuki quality control is rather laughable, so you have to try different weights and types until you find what works best in YOUR bike. No two Savages have the same operating characteristics. They are close, but they aren't the same. When I rode HD and old (pre-unit) British vertical twins, I used Cessna (yes, the airplane company) 50 weight winter, 70 weight summer for the engines, 90 weight gear oil in transmissions and primary cases. Tried the HD motorcycle oil once, it cost me a very sweet Knucklehead engine. Rebuilt it and switched back to Cessna oil. Which at the time was dino-juice. Formulation is less important than frequency of changing the oil. My Savage was quite happy on once a year GTX and new filter change. This year, if I can start riding again, it will get 3 or 4 oil changes. GTX and new filter each time. -WD |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by sluggo on 04/24/05 at 23:30:30 it's not what type, but how often you change oil and filter. do it at least twice a year. by doing so i got 98,000 miles on my 81 gn 400 with only delco 400 10-40 never had a problem, that is till i spaced out and ran it dry. nuff said.. don't by the hype. if it has the proper rating it will work. now if it makes you "feel better" buying an overpriced oil, well be my guest. any body know about contact lenses and cleaner. the disposable 30 day lens is the exact same lens as the daily. the cleaner is all the same just different packaging. this if straight from ciba-giegy the maker of both the lens and cleaner. some one on a forum once said, oil is like toothpaste or deorderant. there are many different kinds, yet they all do the same thing. it's just your personal preference. me i prefer to spend my money on fuel. 87 octane, and lot's of it. as for all the charts, grafts, and figures out there. all i can say is liars can figgure, and figures can lie. i just know what has worked for me. and it's delco 400..... |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by Oklahoma_Mike on 04/26/05 at 05:50:36 Lancer do you get your Amsoil from Walyworld? What is everyone else running I put in the suzuki stock stuff because a case of it came with the bike but I have noticed the gears are not quite right and the clutch is not consistant in its feel. seems to give a little when the bike gets warm. |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by Savage_Rob on 04/26/05 at 06:05:02 I'm using Maxum 4 Extra 15w50 (http://www.parkeryamaha.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=27610). |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by gitarzan on 04/27/05 at 16:47:38 I've a couple of cases Havoline 10/40 left over from a old oil burning Caprice I used to drive. After pharting around with fancy oils, I've been using it, with no ill results. Sluggo is right, it ain't the oil as much as keeping it to the level and changed often enough. |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by Reelthing on 04/27/05 at 17:35:05 Oklahoma_Mike wrote:
Mine as well on 10w40 - the 20w50 seems to square that away. |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by WD on 04/28/05 at 00:18:21 If you read the fine print on the filter box, the really fine print... This filter is designed for 1500 miles of use. I paraphrased it, can't remember the full amount of the printing. New filter every 1500 miles? At $3 a pop, why not. Yes $3 per filter. For the EXACT same thing the dealer charges $7-10 for. Combined with car oil, I can get 2-4 oil changes for the cost of 1 using "motorcycle synthetic oil" and Suzuki filter. $4-7 for a filter box...stealerships doesn't EVEN begin to describe it... Oil filter $3. Oil $1.94 a quart. 91-93 octane gas $2.55 a gallon. Terrorizing the neighbors? Priceless. :D ;D ::) -WD And, MY costs will go down even more once I'm working at the bike shop... FWIW, you really DON'T want to know the mark up on sparkplugs, air filters, etc. |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by Oklahoma_Mike on 04/28/05 at 04:44:53 WD wrote:
Just to make sure. does that $3 filter comes from a bike shop. Is it a custom shop or what? 8) |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by Reelthing on 04/28/05 at 05:21:41 ronayers is $4.29 on the filters - but then you have the ship charge (and better not be in hurry!) so you need to batch up an order - 6 pack of filters and Orings and such it works out ok you just end up having some inventory in the garage - but since the local dealers here stock next to nothing for the ls650 anyway... |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by Setral on 04/28/05 at 06:59:06 If anyone uses something other than K&N www.denniskirk.com has K&N Oil Filters for $7, Emgo for $3, and Parts Unlimited for $6 And I saw the KN-137 for $5.28, did price go up already? |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by Savage_Rob on 04/28/05 at 10:51:23 They have the standard filter and the K&N. The K&N is a bit higher. |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by Mr 650 on 04/29/05 at 09:57:46 I have been lurking over here: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/ Those guys discuss their latest oil analysis, bypass filtration and synth/dino oil blending among other things. Interesting. |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by shawn_b on 04/29/05 at 14:20:12 i went to dealer and got a filter for 5 bucks 8) i use plan old gtx 10/40 no syn shawn |
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Title: Re: going full synthetic Post by Oklahoma_Mike on 04/30/05 at 04:49:38 Mr 650 wrote:
kewl thank you 8) |
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