What oil do I use?
 

I just bought a 1998 SuperHawk and it's a blast. I need to change the oil. I'm looking for recommendations. Conventional oil, Semi-synthetic, or full synthetic? What do you guys like?

OH SNAP!!!!

ok, ill spare you the harassment on this one (dont post such a sensitive subject on a forum) and tell you the answer... lol

the bike calls for 10w-40, use any that helps you sleep at night. If the previous owner stated theres a performance clutch in there then most performance clutches dont like synthetic oil. A lot of guys, including me, prefer rotella 15-40. Yes its marketed as a diesel motor oil, but motor oil is motor oil is motor oil and works great,

Started running this "CRAP" in the Superhawk (MAKES great SuperChicken)
Super Thin, Smart Balance at HIGHER RPMS... With no Extra weight , to carry around.... :O

LOL, LOL........:)

ROFL!!!

chaos I'm trying to welcome noobs, not scare them off lololol

and MIHAWK, dont run any additives in your oil... wet clutch

Rotella T3 is cheap, proven (excellent wear number and resistance to shearing) and has JASO certification for wet clutch. You can find more expensive, but will be hard-pressed to find a better performing oil.....

I call BS!!

LOLOLOLOL

I love oil threads...

But seriously guy, run whatever helps you sleep at night... as long as its in spec and you change it when necessary/regular intervals youre good to go

complete service manual can be found in the knowledge base section of this forum if you dont have a hard copy

BTW wolverine can I change my build thread title? to scottiemann goes streetfighter?

spend some time on the Bobistheoilguy site and see for yourself...... T3 is an excellent performer and a definite value leder... in the end, run what you want, it's one of the benefits of living in a free country.....

Sadly it is not sold here.

Ha ha,

Years ago I was laughed at by mates for using diesel oil in my bikes.

Years later they are all onto it as at some time or other I have done work/ services on their bikes.

The VTR , Aprillia and Duc all have diesel oil in them, and I sleep very well at night.

Google it, you'll be amazed at how many bikers use diesel oil in a wide variety of machinery.

No need for that, I actually tried it in my bike. Shifts felt like beat down M1... YMMV
:evillaugh:

I believe they sell it as Rimula in your neck of the woods.......

It seems that it has that effect in some bikes.... the "experts" seem to think it may be caused by its clutch grip...... an inconvenient downside (on some bikes) but its wear protection and resistance to shearing are beyond dispute...... have you tried some of the other competing diesel oils like Delo or Mobil ? Some like these better..... all are top quality inexpensive oils......

Oh, that i didnt know. Would that be Rimula R4x?

Looks to be cheap here.

This is the spec sheet on it, http://www.epc.shell.com/Docs/GPCDOC...8en%29_TDS.pdf

Oh goodie, an oil thread. Where's VTR1000F?
I use fresh squeezed salmon. A little hard to find but with all the omega 3 it keeps your bikes cardio system healthy.

Oil thread? This isn't an oil thread. I don't see a single post that mentions Mobil1. That's the only thing I consider "oil".

Hi!

It's now officially an oil thread....

http://www.thevog.net/file/attachmen...eb158_view.jpg

Yummy Earl Thread
 

I'm scared to use Rotella

But this topic ...

NNjhawk02, ya shouldn't post pictures of girlfriends, or mothers on this forum... Persons on this forum will be discussing "MAKing their OWN lubricates to the photo".... just an opinion....


Rotella is fine oil... Do you believe the engine on , or in ANY vehicle can differentiate between oils, The engine only has an issue when it is NOT lubricated.....

That is a funny thought, the engine being able to distinguish between oils... Could make for a funny Pixar movie...

"Crankshaft! Do you smell that?"

"No timing chain, what are you talking about?"

"Tastes like an oil recommended only for diesel engines to me", says Valve #1.

"Aw man, didn't that guy read the manual", expresses Rear Auto Cam Chain Tensioner.

"Quiet down up there and focus Rear Auto Cam Chain Tensioner, before you come apart," yells crankshaft.

"That's funny, I don't care who ya are", exclaims Front MANUAL Cam Chain Tensioner.


James

First, they wowed us with Toy Story.... now it's time for.... "Oil Story"..... carries a JASO-13 rating and is safe for your little wet clutches.....

Cars 2 was about fuel, you should write pixar and tell them to make Cars 3 about oil :p

Hold up for a minute. I need to finish making popcorn. You need proper nourishment to follow an oil thread. Did I mention the whiskey...

20-50 Castro car oil. works awesome

Welcome! Glad you found your way to a 'hawk! Youre gonna love it!
So I guess oil is a touchy subject and I'm not sure why. Ive been in the automotiove business a while and I found that whatever meets the manufacturer spec is "best". If youre not sure, you can always call the local dealership and ask - I had very good results doing that.
If I may tell a short story...
I used castrol semi synthetic 10-40 for my first oil change and it worked great! Was rec'd by the parts guy at the local Bent Bike salvage yard. No noise, no leaks, didnt break down fast or nuthin'.
Second oil change after about 3000 miles, used amsoil fully synthetic cuz its supposed to be the shit. I noticed the engine was noisier and it started seeing wetness around the valve covers and head gaskets. Stood up well to some hard riding.
Third oil change after about another 3000 miles, went to Honda this time. Was about to buy another round of sythetic but decided to ask the parts guy. He pointed out a handy-dandy chart on the desk which showed the three types of oil and what years they are recommended for. Being a 2001, he said the semi was the "correct" oil for it and using synthetic can lead to noise and leaks (which mine was experiencing). So I bought 4 quarts of the Honda semi, a honda filter, and my baby has been happy for the last 3000 miles!
So I'm firmly in the "manufacturer" camp on this topic. Honda specifies the honda 10w-40 semi-synthetic so I really think thats what you should use. Pretty much takes the guesswork away, as you know its been engineered for these engines and will meet all the specs.
No need to make it any harder on yourself.

I agree on the rotella. Been using it for a zillion miles. The trick is that it doesn't have the friction modifiers that show up as "energy or resource conserving" in that little circle.

Those things (modifiers) are really bad for the wet clutch.

Translation is don't use car oil. It will only lead to great unhappiness.

Because, as you state below:
Everyone has an opinion, and their opinion is usually the correct one. :x :nana:

I like my bikes like I like my women... well oiled

The old joke is that oil and tire threads get totally out of control with an overwhelming amount of diverse answers.

From what I can see, Rotella has gone the most miles in the hawk. For me I know it works so use it.

I find that guys who spend a bunch of cash on moto specific oil are not willing to say they may have got beat. Which I guess is understandable, just not sure why they always want to post about getting beat.

I used to want the best of the best fully synthetic moto specific shite until I jumped on the rotella/diesel oil bandwagon... people here intrigued me, doing my research and the no friction modifiers sold me, and not dropping $15/quart drove that nail home...

come to think of it, has MIHAWK responded at all to this thread or did we completely scare him off?

tough break for a first thread...

Im still trying to work out if the Rimula we get here is the same as your Rotella.....

Spokes, can you open this link ? Rotella and Rimula - same stuff, different names? | Motorcycles and Motorcycle Lubrication | Bob Is The Oil Guy

Not sure what Google shows you in kiwi-ville but I found a bunch of stuff saying that its really similar.

Shell Rimula or Rotella | Heavy Duty Engine Oil (HDEO) - Diesel/Gas Pickups/Trucks/Vans | Bob Is The Oil Guy

As long as it doesn't say energy or resource conserving I have read like 10 posts that say they are almost the same.

Let be Logical,, This topic has been discussed to the point that HELL, someone should have started a forum called "PICK A F@@KING OIL"...
Here is the truth Rotella is very good oil for any engine, simply it is designed to deal with a VERY dirt burning diesel engine.. So putting the oil in a gasoline engine-with tight rings, lower compression(than a diesel).. it makes an engine happy... The only draw back to using Rotella oil is?????


Starting with a very tight tolerance engine(MOST ALL jap engines) allows for running thinner oil.. Which the japs consider is way for gas mileage..
And if you think about the facts of the engine working to pump the oil, push exhaust out , and bring fuel & air in... The light the oil, the less work the engine has to do to move the oil...
So running THINNER oil helps create free H.P.

Now you have to take that information is from a 8 timer WERA champion..

Who believes in making HP, for a short period of time/ at HIGH RPMs between oil changes..
(ALSO has a sponsor to fund the REBUILD , when the engine scatters)

IT is practical on the race track. YET on the street... Run the Rotella
Millions of engines , can't be ignored....
VVVVVVVOOOOOmmmmm, RRRRRRooooo