Gpaws1968
XS650 Enthusiast
Hi everyone,
What oil are we supposed to use for an oil change?
What oil are we supposed to use for an oil change?
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Engine Oil
- Thread starter Gpaws1968
- Start date
Most use motor oil.
Non-synthetic, motorcycle-specific, 4-stroke 20W-50.
You have to understand that's an ongoing question / answer that's been going on here for years
It's like assholes and opinions everybody has 1
And welcome to the madness !!
JASO MA2 is the recommended designation. 20W40 is what the manufacturer recommended. I’m using 20W50 like most everyone else.
ckahleer
XS650 Addict
I have been riding and wrenching on motorcycles since the early 70's. I still don't know.
But just to get my asshole in the conversation, use Mobil 1 15w50, V twin 20w50, T4 motorcycle 10w40, Rotella t4 or t6 diesel oil.
But just to get my asshole in the conversation, use Mobil 1 15w50, V twin 20w50, T4 motorcycle 10w40, Rotella t4 or t6 diesel oil.
Yeah, I've used Mobil 1 15-50 without friction modifiers in my Road King and all my dirt bikes for many, many years.
Everyone in the forums used to call it Mobil 1 15-50 "Red Cap", because it was the specific jug to purchase that didnt have the starburst symbol indicating friction modifiers (the bane of wet clutch existence). Cant call it red cap anymore because they switched the cap color to silver...but its still the same formula.
On my vintage bikes I normally use 10w-40 Valvoline for motorcycles, but recently switched to Rotella T4. Little cheaper.
Guess the 10W40 / 10W30 / straight 30W I've been using for years is a nay nay. 
ckahleer
XS650 Addict
You can't go by what an owners manual from the 70's says. Back in the day, motor oil had lots of zinc. Not like the girly oils of today. Motorcycle specific oils were not needed. Today you need motorcycle specific oils.or diesel oil, or racing oil.Guess the 10W40 / 10W30 / straight 30W I've been using for years is a nay nay.
If you use a 40wt you'll get more topend "clatter". It probably isn't hurting anything, it just makes more noise compared to a 50wt. I tried the 40wt but went back to the 50wt because of the noise. Because of the rather crude filtering system, it's best to change the oil quite often, like every 1000 to 1500 miles. Because of this, fancy, expensive synthetic oil isn't worth the expense because you won't get one of it's major benefits - the long change intervals. I just use the cheap Walmart brand 20w-50.
JJames
XS650 Addict
20-50 motorcycle specific. Frequent changes mabee more important than brand. Uncle Jed says there's plenty to go round. While we're on the subject. Can someone confirm the part# for drain plug gaskets. Recommend seller. I've reused this set a handful of times, but it's that time. Thanks.
Pamcopete posted this source for drain plug copper gaskets way back when 2011??
Buy a bunch at that price
1st class mail for me $5.90
www.aircraftspruce.com
Buy a bunch at that price
1st class mail for me $5.90
www.aircraftspruce.com
| AN900-19 | -29 | 1-3/16 | $1.59 |
This is for 24 washers
Merchandise Total: $38.16
Shipping: $5.90
Tax (6.88%): $3.03
Total
$47.09 divided by the 24 I ordered =$1.96 per washer
Cheap at twice the price !
Merchandise Total: $38.16
Shipping: $5.90
Tax (6.88%): $3.03
Total
$47.09 divided by the 24 I ordered =$1.96 per washer
Cheap at twice the price !
I am guessing that if you followed the answers to your question, many of us smile at what responses might follow. Welcome to the foolishness...
Gpaws1968
XS650 Enthusiast
Thanks, everyone for your help, how much oil does the 1981 special take, also there seem to be 2 drain plugs, and what are the long nuts on under the motor?
Last edited:
The engine cases are cast in such a was that 2 areas need draining, hence 2 drain plugs. Oil capacity is 2 1/2 litres.
On the older bikes they recommended lowering the oil fill to just over 2 liters due to the style of breather. Put the full 2 1/2 liters and it just blows out the vent tubes. I did notice a difference by lowering the volume.
