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Re: Oil & Oil filter
Tinman #6010 03/23/2005 11:26 AM
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Quote:

I don't remeber who dealt with Amsoil?



Lube-Direct But can you get it in 15W-50 like the Mobil 4T? 47% savings over M1 is a great deal.

Re: Oil & Oil filter
Tinman #6011 03/23/2005 2:27 PM
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Tinman,

I think there are a couple dealers on the site, with me being one of them.

Tom


Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin, US author, diplomat, inventor, physicist, politician, & printer (1706 - 1790)
Re: Oil & Oil filter
ImOk #6012 03/25/2005 1:22 AM
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Hi ImOK,

Yup, just drain it. Takes 4 quarts including the filter load. Always a good idea to pre-fill the filter before installing. Once most of the oil is out, I sit on her and lean it side to side to get the residual out. Most of the time I do this on the sidestand but also do it while on the jack...

The only caveats are:

- have your catch pan more forward than not initially as the oil will shoot forward when you release the bolt
- either anneal (get it real hot with a torch and let it slow cool) the crush washer or replace it (although if this is your first oil change, you can get away with re-using the old one).


"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
Re: Oil & Oil filter
bonnyusa #6013 03/25/2005 10:26 AM
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Just posted today on another local-to-me bike forum about Amsoil.

"A bit of news regarding Amsoil prices...they have "reformulated" the 'High Performance' motorcycle oil in both the 10w/40 and 20w/50...and along with it a $2.00 a qt. price hike So I have no choice but to pass the price increase along...I know it sucks!!"

Re: Oil & Oil filter
Tinman #6014 03/25/2005 1:03 PM
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I signed on with Amsoil, I live near the town where they make it.

What you need to rember whatever it is and it's been said, is: WET CLUTCH. The oil in the bikes soaks the clutch. From a performance perspective in Trials Bikes where clutching is everything, we have noticed a big difference. Whatever they put into the oil for wet clutches makes a difference.

The manulal lays out what you NEED: API, SH OR HIGHER (e.g. SJ, SK or SL) AND JASO MA

I like Amsoil, works for me. As long as you meet these standards you will not have trouble with warrenty, no matter what you use.

IMHO you can do better than $50 a gallon for good oil buying Amsoil (can't speak to Mobile1) at $7 a quart that is still way under $50 and cheap insurance to care for an investment.


[color:"blue"] www.fasteddysports.com [/color]
Re: Oil & Oil filter
Fasteddy #6015 03/25/2005 4:10 PM
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Here is the official word from Triumph as found in the manual.

"All Triumph engines must be filled with a 15W/50, semi-synthetic or fully-synthetic motorcycle oil which meets API SG (or higher) AND JASO MA specification."

By "All Triumph engines", I'm quite sure they mean Hinkley Triumphs. I really doubt 15W/anything would work well in a Speedtwin with half million miles on it.

So, as long as it meets the spec, anything should work, but some will work better than others in any particular engine.


Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
Re: Oil & Oil filter
TR6 #6016 03/27/2005 2:59 PM
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TR6, doesn't look like anyone answered your question. There is NO 15W50 Motorcycle oil yet that I've found in the US market besides the MX4T through the dealer. The only other MX4T so far seems to be either 10W40 or 20W50, both the wrong viscosity (per the manual). The 15W50 seems to be a European-market specific oil (funny, you can buy 15W50 Mobil 1 for our cars over here, too bad they can't do the same oil with a the correct motorcycle additives package, but Triumph probably has an exclusivity contract with Mobil 1!)

Re: Oil & Oil filter
Gregu710 #6017 03/27/2005 3:56 PM
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I suspect that the US oil companies don't trust oil with that broad a viscosity range at the temperatures encountered in a motorcycle engine. The way they make a wide range oil is with a long polymere chain that rolls up when cold and unrolls when hot. The longer the chain, the broader the range, and the greater the chance that it will break down in adverse conditions.

If cost were not a factor, you can find the very best oil for use in aircooled engines at you local airport service shop. Aircraft engine run for hours at a time at 90% power in a wider range of conditions than any sane person would ride.


Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
Re: Oil & Oil filter
Greybeard #6018 03/27/2005 11:11 PM
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here in canada,the operator manual says 10w/40 or 15w/50.the 10/40 oil it is because colder in canada.

Re: Oil & Oil filter
TR6 #6019 03/28/2005 3:09 PM
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TR6,
thanks for the list, I printed it out and will keep it in my wallet.
I went down to get a new filter and the drealer was closed so I used your references and got two of the PureONE PL14612 filters. The idiot, and I do mean Idiot! at the parts store kept on and on about what was I putting this in and how they are not for motorcycles and Triumph is not in his book and they are not the right ones cause they are not in his book. "Friggin idiot, just give me the filters eeh!" Geez, like pulling teeth. And by the way, it fit like a glove and looked to be of excellent quality by the looks of it, and only $6.


A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice. Pat
Re: Oil & Oil filter
Tinman #6020 03/28/2005 8:29 PM
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Has anyone used the Amsoil SMF103 oil filter?

I emailed Amsoil and they say it fits the 01 & 02 790cc Bonneville but they weren't sure if it was compatible with the America or Speedmaster. They also recommend the 20W-50 and not the 10W-40 for the Bonneville.


Live Free or Die Velvet
Re: Oil & Oil filter
Tinman #6021 03/28/2005 9:40 PM
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I have been using the SMF-103 on my Speedmaster since the bike was new in April of 2003. I have been a dealer/user since about 1979 and have had nothing but excellent performance from all of the products. The product line has grown immensely over the years and everything still seems to be top notch. I have been running the 10-40 but up here in Alberta we don't get to many extemely hot days so I think I will continue to use this weight of oil.

Re: Oil & Oil filter
Fishercat #6022 03/28/2005 10:20 PM
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I still have the box for the oil filter from last service. Says SMF 103 on it. Bonnie uses same filter as our bikes. As far as oild goes, I was using the Amsoil 10w-40 in the wintertime, and 20w-50 in the summertime. I didn't notice a bit of difference in the clutch or shifting gears. I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

Re: Oil & Oil filter
Dinqua #6023 03/28/2005 10:27 PM
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Have looked for the PureOne, and had no luck. Where did you find them?

Also, about oil - the Shell Rotella-T Synthetic carried at the local WalMarts here in Houston is 5w-40. Any thoughts on that? We rarely have more than 2 days all year that stay below freezing all day long, and not too many hard freezes of the plain overnight variety. Would not likely be riding much then, anyway. Is this weight oil okay for warmer climate? I stay confused on that weight issue.....


Keith
Houston
Ridin'Texas
'04 Speedmaster
AI removed, Pingle, UNI Filter, 1 shim, straight-through slash-cut TORs, Stage 1 DynaJet, 140 mains, 3 turns, 16/42 final drive, 115K
2020 T120 Black
Re: Oil & Oil filter
Greybeard #6024 03/28/2005 10:40 PM
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well, I take back what I said about no one else making a 15W50 motorcycle oil in the US. BMW has one, at about $8 a quart, so will swing by Sat. and see if it meets the JASO MA spec, it meets SH so that's 2/3rds of the battle. Actually saw one place on line that has it for $6.75, that's almost sane!! And BMW probably knows a little something about air cooled engines (like how to keep them running whilst tooling along through the beautiful winter landscape around Stalingrad or Kharkov!!) so we'll see...

Also saw oil from a company called NOCO which I know nothing about, and from Motorex of Switzerland, who has a distributor network in the states. I've heard of Motorex from trips to the EU, so will give them a heads up and see what there prices are like. Both NOCO and Motorex say they have 15W50 JASO MA API SG Synthetic, but am checking to see if they also meet SH, which we need. So maybe there is hope for us out there, at less than the cost of a fine single malt scotch!!!

Last edited by Bayern710; 03/28/2005 10:54 PM.
Re: Oil & Oil filter
Blackwind #6025 03/28/2005 10:58 PM
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Blackwind, the 5W40 is almost definitely too light for Houston, and also, I believe I checked the Rotella-T synthetic, and didn't see that it meets the API SH or JASO MA requirements. Better to stick with the Mobil MX4T 10W40 for winter and 20W50 for summer if you are going that route.

Re: Oil & Oil filter
Gregu710 #6026 03/29/2005 1:00 AM
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That makes more sense now, Greg. Thank you for explaining that without me having to research it all over again.

Apparently, the 5w-40 is the ONLY grade for the Rotella-T Synthetic, and it DOES meet the SH requirements. I'll try to post a link, if I can get it right. So far, it has performed flawlessly - since the break-in oil, it's the only oil ever put in the motor. 6800 miles certainly isn't a bike's life, but I don't like changeing much mid-stream. They say they guarantee it, so I guess I'm going to trust them (SHELL) until it proves me wrong. If you see anything else that would look like a negative from this link, please speak up. SHELL ROTELLA-T SYNTHETIC


Keith
Houston
Ridin'Texas
'04 Speedmaster
AI removed, Pingle, UNI Filter, 1 shim, straight-through slash-cut TORs, Stage 1 DynaJet, 140 mains, 3 turns, 16/42 final drive, 115K
2020 T120 Black
Re: Oil & Oil filter
Blackwind #6027 03/29/2005 1:28 AM
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Here is another link to the Rotella Motorcycle Oil "Forum", and this thread seems particularly suited to our discussion here (how many times are we going to hash this out?)
About 1/2 way down is a replay from the SHELL TECH EXPERT, which confirms my believe that this oil is suitable to our needs (and at $13 / 3.75 litre jug) SHELL MOTORCYCLE OIL FORUM


Keith
Houston
Ridin'Texas
'04 Speedmaster
AI removed, Pingle, UNI Filter, 1 shim, straight-through slash-cut TORs, Stage 1 DynaJet, 140 mains, 3 turns, 16/42 final drive, 115K
2020 T120 Black
Re: Oil & Oil filter
Fishercat #6028 03/29/2005 9:45 AM
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Amsoil makes two oil filters for our bikes. SDF-103 and SDF-103C (SDF=Super Duty Filter). SDF-103 is painted black and the SDF-103C is chromed. They are specifically designed for filtering syn oil and both are rated for 6,000 miles or six months of use.

Tom


Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin, US author, diplomat, inventor, physicist, politician, & printer (1706 - 1790)
Re: Oil & Oil filter
tcv #6029 03/29/2005 9:49 AM
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Sorry it is SMF-103 and SMF-103C. SDF is designation is for car and truck filters.

Tom


Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin, US author, diplomat, inventor, physicist, politician, & printer (1706 - 1790)
Re: Oil & Oil filter
Blackwind #6030 03/29/2005 2:00 PM
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Quote:

Have looked for the PureOne, and had no luck. Where did you find them?


Advance Auto has them. Wal Mart's house branded SuperTech 6607 is another excellent choice made by Champion Labs. Don't be put off by it's $1.97 or so cost. Or get any CarQuest filter (they're made by Wix).

Quote:

Also, about oil - the Shell Rotella-T Synthetic carried at the local WalMarts here in Houston is 5w-40. Any thoughts on that?


That is the single reason I won't use the Rotella syn during my warranty period. Same applies to the Amsoil syn since they don't market a 15W-50 either. Motul ester is a like-for-like alternative though.

Re: Oil & Oil filter
Blackwind #6031 03/29/2005 2:11 PM
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Keith, are you using it now then? It meets SH, but not JASO MA (which it also has to meet to keep the warranty valid) I would be a little nervous (i.e. I would NOT use it) about a 40 weight oil in Texas, since the spec is 15W50, since Houston is definitely considered a "warmer" climate. Good luck, but one word of caution, nowhere in the info does it mention motorcycles, and if you should go after Shell to back up that guarantee, they have an easy out in that they don't say it's for motorcycles, and Triumph has an easy out saying it's not the right viscosity nor does it meet JASO MA, so guess who is left in the middle with a blown motor. The crank and cams, by the way, sit directly in the aluminum that the head is made of (i.e. there are NO bearing journals), so there is no repairing a damaged head or block, only total replacement. Just a heads up...

Re: Oil & Oil filter
Gregu710 #6032 03/30/2005 9:44 AM
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Quote:

The crank and cams, by the way, sit directly in the aluminum that the head is made of (i.e. there are NO bearing journals)


Wow, I didn't know that. The cams riding straight in the case doesn't surprise me, but the crank sure does.

Re: Oil & Oil filter
Gregu710 #6033 03/30/2005 4:29 PM
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I just got back from some errands and I stopped by the BMW dealer. The 15w-50 they carry is $6.99/qt and the JASO spec was posted on the back of the bottle. I think I'll be using this next oil change.

Re: Oil & Oil filter
Gregu710 #6034 03/30/2005 7:54 PM
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Wow. I thought I had posted a reply to this yesterday, but now I don't see it. We'll try again...

On the Rotella site, there is a link to Forums, and on the Forums page, there is a Forum for Motorcycle Oils. The SHELL TECH EXPERT seems to pipe in, whenever he feels the need to set something straight, so apparently the Forum board is moderated by SHELL (hince the reference earlier in this thread).

So - How hot do our engines run? How hot do diesel engines run? Apparently SHELL only makes one viscosity of their Rotella T Synthetic, and that is 5w40.


Keith
Houston
Ridin'Texas
'04 Speedmaster
AI removed, Pingle, UNI Filter, 1 shim, straight-through slash-cut TORs, Stage 1 DynaJet, 140 mains, 3 turns, 16/42 final drive, 115K
2020 T120 Black
Re: Oil & Oil filter
TR6 #6035 03/31/2005 11:39 AM
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The difference between a 15W-50 and a 20W-50 syn motorcycle oil is extremely small. Actually the W stands for winter, which indicates how well the oil operates in cold weather.

Amsoils 20W-50 syn motorcycle oil has a pour point of -33 degrees F and a Flash point of 450 degrees F. The modil 1 15W-50 syn oil might have a pour point of -35 degrees F. I really don't know since Mobil 1 doesn't publish their specs. So, is anyone out there riding their bike when it is below zero?

My Truck calls for a 5W-30 SH rated oil and I use a 0W-30 High Performance Syn Racing oil. I am not so worried about the Winter designation just the oils overall performance.

Tom


Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin, US author, diplomat, inventor, physicist, politician, & printer (1706 - 1790)
Re: Oil & Oil filter
tcv #6036 04/13/2005 7:38 PM
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Changed my oil last weekend and decided to go with the gold cap Mobil 15w-50 instead of the BMW oil. Cost at WalMart for the Mobil gold cap was $23 and change for a 5 qt container. I should get close to 3 oil changes from 10 qts. WalMart didn't have an oil filter in stock that would fit, so I grabbed a Bosch 3300 from AutoZone. After 200 miles I haven't noticed any clutch slipping at all. My bike runs as good as always. Previously I was using Amsoil, but since Brent quit carry it, and my local Amsoil supplier said they raised the price $2/qt, I went looking for a different oil and that's how I ended up with the Mobil gold cap.

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