oils
Posted: Tue May 16, 2000 8:14 am
Andy, I to used to be a big Castrol GTX fan. It was great stuff. I used Castrol in everything I had, XL500, XL600, NX650, R100GS/PD, my trucks also. I even was using Bel-ray 50 and 60 weight when I was down in Mississippi for a few years, long ago. The thing is that it looks like when you were on the GTX, it was probably API SG or SH rated, not the new stuff. What`s funny is that my last Montana BMW/MOA newsletter said not to use GTX in bikes anymore. Goes with the information I`ve been compiling. As far as the synthetics go, I`m all for trying them, regardless of brand. The synthetics are a different bird and seem to work well enough to not be as dependent on the higher zinc and phosphorus levels needed in mineral oils. I`ve tried Amsoil (clutch started slipping) and switched to Mobil 1, with no problems. I haven`t heard of any problems with Castrol`s Syntec. I personally will be going back to diesel oil when I run out of my stock of Kawasaki oil. I bought 5 gallons when our local Kawasaki dealer lost his dealership. Since the refiner of that oil said the diesel was just as good at half the price, I`ll go back to it. Keep doing whatever works for you. Skip> Well Guy, > we don't need to get into an oil dispute. As a matter of fact there was > a harley dude on my platform a few weeks ago that says he uses aircraft > oil in his bike. I just told him that I hope he like to rebuild engines. > > All I can tell you is what I do / did on the last few bikes I've had and > you can take it from there. > '92 KLR650 Castrol GTX 20W50 at a change rate of 3000 miles then to > 100% syn. oil (forget the brand right now) and change it and the filter > at 5000 mile intervals for 20,000 miles in 2 years with no problems or > added useage between oil changes. > '95 BMW R11GSA BMW oil for first 800 then dealer changed it going in > with same till 3000 miles. Then Castrol GTX 20W50 for 3000 miles then > to Castrol Syn 15W55 and changed it and filter every 6000 miles till 49, > 500 miles with out having to add any between changes. > '96 DR350SE Castro GTX 10W40 every 2000 for the 4000 miles I had it. > '97 DR350SE Castro GTX 10W40 every 2000 for the 4800 miles I had it. > '97 BMW R11RA Castro GTX 20W50 for 3000 miles then switched to Castrol > Syn 15W55 for 6K oil filter changes. 12K miles on it so far. > '00 KLR650 Castro GTX 20W50 for the first 2000 then switched to Castrol > Syn. 15W55 at 3000 oil changes. > > On all the bikes back to the late '70's I use Castol GTX 20W50 as it was > showing less wear on the cams and followers on my high valve spring rate > on the road bikes of that time. > Late 50's and 60's bikes. What ever was cool at the time. 40 weight > truck oil most of the time on the 4 strokes. > > So far this works for me. > > Always > Andy Chesley > Jennings, La.