rotella t 15w/40 oil analysis on my klr

[Carlos Rigdon]

Anyone ever reverse a Mefo front tire and rub it mounted backwards. My front one is starting to cup with 3000 miles on it [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jeff Saline]

On Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:55:01 -0600 "Reverend" writes:

> Way cool. Any chance you can scan/link to the reports? > > One thing I wonder about is the low oil change interval, why start > at 1000 > miles? I'd be real curious to see what the oil looks like at 3000 > miles, > 5000 and 10000 miles. Obviously depending on riding style. Lots of > dirtbiking and trails and dusty stuff would probably warrant > shorter > intervals. > > The reason I give those miles is that from what I've read, the oil > actually > gets better at filtering out dirt and contaminants with a little > age > (obviously to a limit). It's been an interesting topic of discussion > a few > times a year. > Then again, a Volvo red lines at 6-7K and is specified at 10K oil > changes, > whereas the KLR goes red at 7K and runs around 5K frequently. > > Ahhh well, it's just a few ponderings. > > Rev

<><><><><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><><><><> Rev, I talked with the lab manager this morning as my latest report was missing a bit of data. He said the FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) machine was broke on Tuesday when they did my oil analysis. They've now got it running and are catching up on a few days of FTIR work. As soon as they get my sample done he's gonna update my report and send it to me. When I get it I'll post it to the list Photo or File section if I can. It will show all 7 analysis reports so you can compare data. For folks not familiar with oil analysis... one sample doesn't tell you a lot unless you have a significant issue in a particular area like fuel/coolant dilution, high metal contents, air filter missing, etc. So taking a look at all the data will give a better idea of trends for that oil compartment. I picked 1,000 smiles to start as the KLR oil compartment is a pretty harsh environment. I would suggest a comparison between a Volvo and a KLR is like comparing a scissor with a paper shredder. Not only does the KLR engine have a crankcase for an internal combustion engine but it's also a transmission and wet multi-disc clutch oil compartment. That really calls for 3 different lubricants. The KLR is known to shear oil so to get an idea of what was happening I decided to start at 1,000 smiles and increase each Oil Change Interval (OCI) by 250 miles until I wasn't comfortable with the results or the oil had a 30 weight or less after testing. I started with Valvoline and found that it was used around 1,000 miles using my butt dyno and shifting ease. A few other riders using the same oil on the Great Divide Ride had similar comments with hard shifting and hard to find neutral when the oil as near 1,000 miles. I did one test on Valvoline at 1,733 miles and it tested at 9.2 cSt (centistokes) as a 20 weight. The Valvoline virgin oil tested at 14.0 cSt which is a 40 weight. The Rotella tested at 15.0 cSt as virgin oil and at 1,750 miles it tested at 12.6 cSt which is just above the 12.4 cSt for 30 weight. The most recent test at 2,000 miles tested at 12.5 cSt so I doubt the oil will make it to 2,250 miles and I've decided I'm done testing. I agree it would be interesting to see results at 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000 miles. But I don't want my KLR to be the test bed for that experiment. : ) Hope this is helpful. When I get the rest of the data I'll try to add the file so everyone that wants to can take a look. Best, Jeff Saline ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT ____________________________________________________________ Summer Spa Sweepstakes Enter for your chance to WIN a Summer Spa Vacation! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/JKFkuJi7Ubfj756silZEK3k5nfIUe9tRhatwzv7UenW4Z1X340gLe0/