Wilsons Sandbox

Link for an excellent reference on motor oil: www.motor-oil-bible.com I have no connection with this publication. I did purchase the electronic version of this book @$9.80. Speaking as a graduate mechical engineer, it is both well worth it and a bargain. It covers all aspects of engine oils, including a section on motorcycle engines, and includes a comprehensive rating of motor oils, both petroleum and synthetic. John Wishart 2000 KLR650

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "jwishart2001" wrote:

> Link for an excellent reference on motor oil: www.motor-oil-

bible.com [snip]

> > I have no connection with this publication. I did purchase the > electronic version of this book @$9.80. Speaking > John Wishart. 2000 KLR650

I visited the site and read through all the you-should-buy-this-great- book blurbs, including the top-secret free downloadable chapter which is mostly an infomercial for the rest of the book. I could not discern whether the author every talked about the two things we KLR riders care about most: 1) Does the author talk about measurements made on oil in wet-clutch systems such as that found on the KLR650? All I could see was a discussion oriented toward automobiles and trucks where the motor oil does not lubricate the clutch plates and does not get contaminated by the clutch plates. I may have missed something. 2) Does the author talk about how to interpret used oil test results? Some of us really thrash our KLRs while others of us are pretty gentle. My personal take on the great oil debates is that we need to take measurements on oil used in a KLR650 to determine how long the oil really retains its lubricating and protective qualities. -- Marc, KLR650 A12

My non scientific method to check oil is stick your finger in the oil and pull it out. If you can NOT see any part of your finger through the oil it needs to be replaced. Next smell the oil on your finger. If it smells burnt or like gas it needs to be replced.

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "marc_clarke" wrote: > > I visited the site and read through all the you-should-buy-this- great- > book blurbs, including the top-secret free downloadable chapter which > is mostly an infomercial for the rest of the book. I could not > discern whether the author every talked about the two things we KLR > riders care about most: > > 1) Does the author talk about measurements made on oil in wet- clutch > systems such as that found on the KLR650? All I could see was a > discussion oriented toward automobiles and trucks where the motor oil > does not lubricate the clutch plates and does not get contaminated by > the clutch plates. I may have missed something. > > 2) Does the author talk about how to interpret used oil test > results? Some of us really thrash our KLRs while others of us are > pretty gentle. My personal take on the great oil debates is that we > need to take measurements on oil used in a KLR650 to determine how > long the oil really retains its lubricating and protective qualities. > > -- Marc, KLR650 A12

Marc, Both the MC wet clutch situation and oil testing (both analysis and performance testing) topics are discussed in some detail. "The Truth About Motorcycle Oils" chapter covers synthetic vs. petroleum oils, MC oil vs. car oil (zinc & phosphorous levels, friction modifiers), viscosity to use, and extended oil drain intervals. There is also a chapter on "Oil Analysis: What Is It & Do You Need It?" Also included are some sources where you can get your oil tested for $10-25, if you are so inclined. They don't seem to be associated with the author, that I could tell. There does not seem to be any information specifically on oil analysis testing results on wet clutch MC engine oils. Other aspects of wet clutches are discussed in the MC chapter however. I might point out that while the dealer and some MC oil mfrs might like you to think that you should only use MC specific oil, Kawasaki only specifies the recommended viscosity range and API rating in the owner's manual. Just so you know, I did a search on the author, Michael Kaufmam. He is an Amsoil dealer. He does state that he sells oil on the Oil Bible web site. John Wishart 2000 KLR650 Currently using Mobil 1 15W-50 full synthetic (car oil, not the MC version) in my KLR with no clutch slippage or any other ill effects. Not to start another oil flame war however:>)

> I visited the site and read through all the you-should-buy-this-

great-

> book blurbs, including the top-secret free downloadable chapter

which

> is mostly an infomercial for the rest of the book. I could not > discern whether the author every talked about the two things we KLR > riders care about most: > > 1) Does the author talk about measurements made on oil in wet-

clutch

> systems such as that found on the KLR650? All I could see was a > discussion oriented toward automobiles and trucks where the motor

oil

> does not lubricate the clutch plates and does not get contaminated

by

> the clutch plates. I may have missed something. > > 2) Does the author talk about how to interpret used oil test > results? Some of us really thrash our KLRs while others of us are > pretty gentle. My personal take on the great oil debates is that

we

> need to take measurements on oil used in a KLR650 to determine how > long the oil really retains its lubricating and protective

qualities.

> > -- Marc, KLR650 A12

On Mon, 15 Jul 2002, jwishart2001 wrote:

>I might point out that while the dealer and some MC oil mfrs might like >you to think that you should only use MC specific oil, Kawasaki only >specifies the recommended viscosity range and API rating in the owner's >manual.

This is the basis of my position on the car vs bike oil debate. If the needs of the motorcycle were truly different and critical, there'd be a special spec for moto oils that goes beyond the simple JASO T903 'MA' certification. As it is, at least two commercially available car oils meet JASO MA while meeting API SJ/SL and ILSAC GF-3. Until a meaningful bike-oil spec arises (other than the obsolete and deprecated API 'SG'), I'll regard the special oil claims as pure poppycock. RM