4T oil

EvilNerdLord · Post by **EvilNerdLord** » Wed Oct 23, 2013 8:36 pm

Anyone use a pure synthetic in the 4T?
how'd it work for you?
Did it make a difference in power or MGP's?
Did you put it in at low (new) mileage or later? ( @ how many then?)

And most important question...Was it worth the extra moola to use?

molly_2 · Post by **molly_2** » Thu Oct 31, 2013 9:21 am

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Thu Oct 31, 2013 12:08 pm

General rule of thumb on the four-strokes is to use dino oil for the first couple of changes (first service at 250-500 miles, then the next change after that), then switch to synthetic. The idea, generally, is that conventional oil, while still lubricating, isn't quite as slick as synth and will help promote just the right amount of ring and cylinder wear to help the two seal up nicely with each other and to help grind/flush any little metal bits left over. After that, the synthetic minimizes wear for longer life.

I don't know if this scheme is appropriate to the LML 4T motor, but that's the generally-accepted strategy on the Buddy 4T side of the forum.

EvilNerdLord · Post by **EvilNerdLord** » Fri Nov 01, 2013 5:16 pm

so, 500 is the break in according to SOM, the real break in is up 1500
..the sweet spot would be after then?

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Sat Nov 02, 2013 4:33 am

yeah, after second oil change go to synthetic IMO.

EvilNerdLord · Post by **EvilNerdLord** » Sat Nov 02, 2013 7:36 am

It couldnt hurt to try it....and if the benifits outweigh the cost (stella cap. Isnt all that much) then ill do it...

But im not even going to look , much less opn, the can of worms that is 'best brand to use'

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Sat Nov 02, 2013 2:39 pm

Research before purchass....the only synthetic I am aware of, designed to be used in a engine/gearbox/clutch shared system is Spectro Gold, from Spectro Oils of America.

The key is a synthetic lube designed to work with a clutch.....a tough balance.....slippery oil that allows a friction disc to operate correctly.

BTW....I'm AM biased.....this is the only oil I use in my many 'unit construction' shared oil motorcycles....probably over the last 30 years.

Rob

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sat Nov 02, 2013 4:41 pm

Robbie wrote:The key is a synthetic lube designed to work with a clutch.....a tough balance.....slippery oil that allows a friction disc to operate correctly.

Actually, many motorcycles use a wet clutch - the BV 350 does also, for that matter. That is the purpose of the GL-4 gear oil spec as well.

Robbie · Post by **Robbie** » Sun Nov 03, 2013 2:59 am

Dooglas wrote:
Robbie wrote:The key is a synthetic lube designed to work with a clutch.....a tough balance.....slippery oil that allows a friction disc to operate correctly.
Actually, many motorcycles use a wet clutch - the BV 350 does also, for that matter. That is the purpose of the GL-4 gear oil spec as well.

I think something was missed in translation....I don't understand the response.

GL-4 is a gear oil, not a motor oil......the engines I reference share their motor oil with transmission and clutch.....GL-4 is final drive specific.

Rob

kmrcstintn · Post by **kmrcstintn** » Thu Dec 12, 2013 10:36 pm

any motorcycle engine oil that is certified or rated as a JASO MA or JASO MA2 has been purposed for use in wet clutch applications and there are several major brands of synthetic oil that come to mind...

Valvoline, Castrol, Amsoil, Spectro, Motul, Maxima, Suzuki, et al

just select one in the required viscosity (eg: 10w-40, 20w-50) and use it with confidence...

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Fri Dec 13, 2013 12:39 am

Robbie wrote:GL-4 is a gear oil, not a motor oil......the engines I reference share their motor oil with transmission and clutch.....GL-4 is final drive specific.

Understand. The GL-4 reference was in regard to the BV350 where the wet clutch is in the transmission which is separate from the crankcase. Regarding a wet clutch which runs in the crankcase oil, as kmrcstintn points out, the JASO spec is intended to serve that purpose and most motorcycle oils including Motul 4T meet it.