Just wondering what you folks use for oil and other fluids. Any preferred weight or brand of engine oil, gear oil, or brake fluid? Synthetic or no? I want to do the engine, transmission, and FD. I'll be riding in HOT conditions for the rest of the summer. H-O-T. Thought I'd drain the oil and do a change without the filter. Put a few miles on the bike, and then change with the filter. Get a good lube-system flush.
What about plugs? Any reason to do the plugs? Only 21K miles, but probably 8 years on these plugs. What's a good plug to use for hot weather?
As an aside - how do these air-cooled bikes do in this hot weather? How about in stop-and-go traffic? There is some stop and go on my commute. Not much, but ten minutes each way. And afternoon temps, on the tarmack, sitting in traffic, are in the mid '90s.
Basic Maintenance Tips?
Moderator: Moderators
Basic Maintenance Tips?
2017 Husqvarna 701
2007 Husqvarna TE250
2004 BMW Rockster
2007 Husqvarna TE250
2004 BMW Rockster
Re: Basic Maintenance Tips?
The plugs sold by Beemerboneyard (Bosch and NGK, I believe) seem to be liked by many of the folks here.
Regarding oil, I just put 20W50 in my bike. I haven't bothered with synthetic (ask CycleRob or see any of the various oil thread "discussions"/quarrels here on the site). 20W50 won't be the best year-round choice; however, it will probably serve me well for the hot summer ahead. BMW and others rate it as great for hot ambient temps. I will put on enough miles to warrant changing the oil in the mid to late fall, so I'll probably use something else then.
N.B. - be very careful about starting up any discussions about oil here on this site. You are inviting all sorts of heated and good-humored arguments.
Regarding oil, I just put 20W50 in my bike. I haven't bothered with synthetic (ask CycleRob or see any of the various oil thread "discussions"/quarrels here on the site). 20W50 won't be the best year-round choice; however, it will probably serve me well for the hot summer ahead. BMW and others rate it as great for hot ambient temps. I will put on enough miles to warrant changing the oil in the mid to late fall, so I'll probably use something else then.
N.B. - be very careful about starting up any discussions about oil here on this site. You are inviting all sorts of heated and good-humored arguments.
Member #725
Re: Basic Maintenance Tips?
I just switched to Denso Iridium plugs. Also started using Amsoil 20-50 after 25000 mi.
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iowabeakster
- Quadruple Lifer
- Posts: 1962
- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2005 5:43 am
- Location: iowa city, ia
Re: Basic Maintenance Tips?
I've always used Castrol 20w50 conventional engine oil. Some people like to switch to synthetic, especially for heat stress. I think there is a Mobil 1 15w50 synthetic that is really popular. Some people who ride all year round will switch to a 10w40, for the cooler months, to make the bike start easier.
I am always aware of the possibility of overheating. I will pull over and shut the bike off if the traffic is not moving. I don't know what to tell you about this... use good judgement. Some people have installed an oil temp gauge (see link at bottom).
In the Final drive, I use Mobil 1 75w 90. Some people use really heavy 75w140. It probably wouldn't make much diffrence as the final drive does not get very hot. In cold temps, the heavy oil can get puked out of the breather cap...and onto brakes/wheel. There is a legend that synthetic oil will make the final drive seals weep. I (and others) have always used the synthetic, with no leaks.
I take the approach of changing the final drive oil with every engine oil change. It doesn't take but an extra minute. It takes very little oil. Most importantly you can inspect it. If/When the big final drive bearing goes out, it often will give you early warning by leaving pieces of metal on the magnetic drain plug. You should wiggle the back wheel to check for bearing play periodically, and spin it to check that the bearing rolls smoothly.
In the tranny (hotter than final drive), most people like to use the heavy stuff-- 75w 140. That seems to make it shift a little smoother.
Synthetic brake fluid is fine. That's the only kind that I see anymore. Just make sure it is DOT 4.
Here is a sweet little resource. Put together many years ago by Jim Brooks.
http://home.mindspring.com/~jabrooks/
I am always aware of the possibility of overheating. I will pull over and shut the bike off if the traffic is not moving. I don't know what to tell you about this... use good judgement. Some people have installed an oil temp gauge (see link at bottom).
In the Final drive, I use Mobil 1 75w 90. Some people use really heavy 75w140. It probably wouldn't make much diffrence as the final drive does not get very hot. In cold temps, the heavy oil can get puked out of the breather cap...and onto brakes/wheel. There is a legend that synthetic oil will make the final drive seals weep. I (and others) have always used the synthetic, with no leaks.
I take the approach of changing the final drive oil with every engine oil change. It doesn't take but an extra minute. It takes very little oil. Most importantly you can inspect it. If/When the big final drive bearing goes out, it often will give you early warning by leaving pieces of metal on the magnetic drain plug. You should wiggle the back wheel to check for bearing play periodically, and spin it to check that the bearing rolls smoothly.
In the tranny (hotter than final drive), most people like to use the heavy stuff-- 75w 140. That seems to make it shift a little smoother.
Synthetic brake fluid is fine. That's the only kind that I see anymore. Just make sure it is DOT 4.
Here is a sweet little resource. Put together many years ago by Jim Brooks.
http://home.mindspring.com/~jabrooks/
I was dreaming when I wrote this, forgive me if it goes astray...
Re: Basic Maintenance Tips?
Something else you may want to consider for hot weather is detonation.
The hotter the weather, the more likely that is to occur.
In anything much over 70F, or if I'm going to be riding in stop & go in town,
I add 1 ounce of Octane 104 boost to the 91 that's available where I live.
Never a problem with detonation, and I frequently see temps in upper 90's.
The hotter the weather, the more likely that is to occur.
In anything much over 70F, or if I'm going to be riding in stop & go in town,
I add 1 ounce of Octane 104 boost to the 91 that's available where I live.
Never a problem with detonation, and I frequently see temps in upper 90's.