OIL! What is the best kind for long life and performance, Etc.????

[wallyworld136]

I've always been a Pennzoil guy. Grandfather was a head mechanic for RC Cola back in the dday....An he told my Dad, "Son, aint nothing better than that Pensylvania oil." And such have we lived and function since. Even my old lawnmower growing up lived 20 years last I heard. But these be new technologies and my GL1100A engine might live better by the word of the more experienced. What say ye?????

 

[dan filipi]

From what I know and read oil is pretty much oil no matter which brand.
Back when Dad and his Dad chose oil there werent as many choices and the oil companies didnt have the technology of today.
With that said, I do notice a difference with various oils in the noise coming from the engine. So far all I've tried, Shell Rotella seems to give me the best results so that's what I use.
It doesnt have friction modifiers which can cause the clutch to slip.
As far as friction modifiers go in my opinion and experience, if you ride the Goldwing like a touring bike it was designed for you won't get clutch slip. If you get on it like in a race you'll get slip.

 

[Smokey66]

Use the cheapest mineral based oil you can find!The wet clutch in you wing does NOT like synthetic oil!And stay with a 10W30 or 10W40 because anything thicker(20W50 for example) with not allow the starter clutch to disengage properly.And as far as Pennslyvania oil goes,in the 70s we used Quaker State in our Plymouth Valiant bought new for the first 100,000 miles at which point we pulled the engine for a rebuild and it was TOTALLY gummed up with that Pennslyvania crap!The next 100,000 with Castrol left NO residue on the inside of the engine.............

 

[wallyworld136]

Yeah Smoke, you right about the Quaker State. That one thing I ran into with my pistonhead friends of yester year. Will GUM up anything its in. Pennzoil I never had problem or build up and have kept using it till now. Just that the 1100 is a higher compression engine @170psi supposedly according to book. Wondered.

 

[Dave]

Use the cheapest mineral based oil you can find!The wet clutch in you wing does NOT like synthetic oil!And stay with a 10W30 or 10W40 because anything thicker(20W50 for example) with not allow the starter clutch to disengage properly.

I choose not to agree with the cheapest idea, it rarely gets quality, of course paying top dollar is no garrentee either

Interesting the comment on the starter clutch. I use Castrol Active 4T 15W50 because it's a good product and I live in a hot climate. I have noticed sometimes the starter clutch is slow to drop out. I put this down to old age as it seemed to be a random thing. Now that I think about some more it never happens on cold starts (15W) and does it all the time on hot starts (50W) so next oil change may see me using 10W40
Any one else experiance this?

 

[dan filipi]

Interesting the comment on the starter clutch. I use Castrol Active 4T 15W50 because it's a good product and I live in a hot climate. I have noticed sometimes the starter clutch is slow to drop out. I put this down to old age as it seemed to be a random thing. Now that I think about some more it never happens on cold starts (15W) and does it all the time on hot starts (50W) so next oil change may see me using 10W40
Any one else experiance this?

With 20/50 the starter clutch on mine won't catch right off when cold, takes a few try's. Usually hot I have no problem.

 

[fastmover83]

I've used Castero oil in my bikes for years and have always been happy with it, however my Wing's owners manual states, not to use any caster based oils, so I am now using Shell in the Wing. However years ago when Motorcycle Consumer News did a test on motorcycle oils verses automotive oils, they rated Mobile 1 as the best, even better than the motorcycle specific oils. Viscosity retention and shear strength were the two main factors in the test, if I remember right.

 

[Smokey66]

Even the cheapest oil is manufactured to meet ALL modern standards;check the API rating on the label.Just stay away from that syn.stuff(like moblie 1)even though they do provide better viscosity retention and sheer strength,it's suicide for your wet clutch.And Dan,I also had trouble with starter clutch engagement with 20w50.It wouldent grab,starter just spun.And wenn it grabed it wouldnt let go for couple seconds.I pulled the motor and installed a "Repair kit",springs,pins and rollers,and the problem persisted.Then I went to a 10W40 oil and this problem has completly disapered.......who woulda thought...

 

[mcgovern61]

I have an '81 engine with what seems to be bad bearings and tried 10w40 through straight 50w and still found the 10w40 worked best. I have had the best luck with the Pennzoil 10w40.

(Although I did use the 15w40 for a while and it keep my bearings quieter for a few brief moments!) :smilie_happy:

 

[Tory]

Are you sure its a bearing problem,or is it maybe the primary chain?

 

[Winger 82]

Use the cheapest mineral based oil you can find!The wet clutch in you wing does NOT like synthetic oil!And stay with a 10W30 or 10W40 because anything thicker(20W50 for example) with not allow the starter clutch to disengage properly.And as far as Pennslyvania oil goes,in the 70s we used Quaker State in our Plymouth Valiant bought new for the first 100,000 miles at which point we pulled the engine for a rebuild and it was TOTALLY gummed up with that Pennslyvania crap!The next 100,000 with Castrol left NO residue on the inside of the engine.............

Yep we called it Quaker Sludge years ago and still call it that today, but have to say that Pennzoil has been very good to me in all my toys, before that we ran Wolf's Head & Amalie, but if you neglect the oil changes , I would say pretty much all of them will sludge up if oil changes are neglected. just my .02
Winger 82
:hi:

 

[mcgovern61]

Are you sure its a bearing problem,or is it maybe the primary chain?

Tory, I just got back from taking the new '83 engine out for a spin. I can unequivecally tell you that the bearings are shot in the '81 engine!! This '83 engine is smooth as silk! This is my first REAL ride on a GL1100 Goldwing! It is sooooo quiet! (Compared to non-stop bearing rattles!)

 

[Dave]

Hey so you got the new(ish) engine on the road, cool :clapping: :music2: :salute: :good: :beer:
off topic, sorry