correct engine oil for my bike

C

cultclassic

New Member
Hi there , in the next few days im going to do a oil change on my new/old bike (1978 cb500t) I havent done a oil change on a bike of this age before and i was wondering which type would be best, I have been advised different things from various people and has left me a little stumped .

any help or advice would be grate.

Thnaks guys.
 
First consult your users manual to be safe. Personally I have been using Shell RotellaT 10W-40 with a half liter of Lucas oil stabilizer in a cb360. Also check your oil cap I think It might be on there as well.
 
The type of oil should not change because of the age of the bike, but you should definitely make sure that you drain the oil that has been sitting in the bike for all that time; chances are that the oil has collected unwanted particles and has itself lost its ability to lubricate properly. Mixing old oil with new oil will cause contamination and well, that would be counter intuitive to replacing your old oil.

You may also want to replace your oil filter if it hasn't been changed in years since this is a cheap part that contributes to the health of your engine.

Finally, consider the temperature variations where your ride your motorcycle. Check these with your owners manual recommendation. For example my Yamaha XS 750 recommends 15W40 but within a certain temperature range. I live in a place where temperature can vary between - 30°C and +35°C so I run 10W40 or 10W50 (can't remember).
 
I've been looking in my book for a Kz and it just says good ole 10W-30....but MY question would be should we be using a wet-clutch oil? Something specifically designed for the wet clutch system? Rotella makes a 10W-30 synthetic for wet systems I use on my yamaha Rhino so why not a motorcycle? Same concept no?
 
Don't use any oil that says "Energy Conserving" on it. You can find older spec 10W-30 if you look around.

I use Rotella T Synethic... The Rotella oils are for Deisels and JASO certified, which means they are good for wet clutches.

If you can't be bothered going through containers of oil, pay the little extra and get motorcycle specific oil. As long as the viscosity is O.K. in your manual, then go for it.

Heavier oil (like 20W-50) will actually lubricate less, especially in the head area. the oil has to travel through orifices and passages. The thicker the oil, the less volume you move through those areas. Oil circulating also cools the internal parts of the engine. Heavier oil removes less heat.

Put the weight of oil that the MFG recommends and you cannot go wrong.
 
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