Oil 'N' headers

[Cobbster]

Hi all,
Just a couple of quickies, first up I'm thinking of changing the oil on my 7200 mile S from 10/40 to 20/50. The main reason being that a lot of guys on this forum seem to go down this route in the warmer weather and I was wondering which make was the best to go for. Also do you have to change the filter when doing this job or can you just tip the old oil out and reuse it?.

And, are the headers on an S chrome plated or stainless?

Cheers, Cobbster

[Gromit]

1. If you want a really good quality mineral 20w50 that's relatively cheap (around £4/litre) you can't go wrong with the Harley-Davidson stuff.
2. For what it costs (ie not much) I always change the filter at every oil change. It's very accessible on the Boxer motor so there's no real reason not to.
3. Headers are stainless - they're chrome on the 1150R/GS

[Cobbster]

Hi Gromit, thanks for the tip, H-D oil seems fine, the bikes a little less vibey than before and a whole lot quieter when hot. Can't comment on oil consumption yet as I've only covered a couple of hundred miles since the oil change but all seems ok.

Cheers, Cobbster.

[sandbar]

...........and I was wondering which make was the best to go for.

I remember years ago ( OH G*D - here he goes again ) when I was collecting modified engine parts for an R100RS, I asked the guy what oil I should use. His answer was to use any oil that was sold by the company that pulled it out of the ground and actually refined it. When asked to explain that, his logic was that if there was any difference between the quality of the base oils then the idea that any company would sell the best stuff and keep the not-so good stuff for themselves would be against human nature. His choice was Shell, BP, Esso, and Texaco - although things might have changed over the years.

John Baines ( yes - that one) is still running that engine in the infamous Krauser 4-valve headed R100RS.

Rockin' in the free world - Neil Young

sandbar

[boxerpan]

...........and I was wondering which make was the best to go for.

John Baines ( yes - that one) is still running that engine in the infamous Krauser 4-valve headed R100RS.

sandbar

That one which one ?

Infamous for what reason ?

[Cobbster]

Hi sandbar,

In a different thread Gromits mate at H-D told him Sunoco made their mineral 20/50 oil.
Thought you might like to check out the company's history on this site link.


Cheers cobbster.


http://www.sunocoinc.com/site/TheCompany/OurHistory/

[sandbar]

That one which one ?

Infamous for what reason ?

And I thought my memory was getting bad.

It was worth you starting a thread on some time ago.

In a different thread Gromits mate at H-D told him Sunoco made their mineral 20/50 oil.

That is my point exactly.

If (and it is a big if) there is any difference in the quality, then the suggestion was that there is no way that Sunoco is going to sell the better stuff to be sold under A.N.Other name, and leave the less good stuff to be sold under their own name.

On the other hand, if all oils are the same quality then then they might, but the question asked at the beginning of this thread assumes that not all oils are equal. What had been suggested to me was that the companies that refine their own stuff are "in the driving seat" on this.

sandbar