I went to Kragen yesterday to pick up some engine oil for my GS and bought some Synthetic brand.  I thought I was getting a great deal ($2 a quart).  But then when I went back to check my owner's manual, it says that I should be using SAE 10W-40 weight API SF or SG.  I checked all the oils at Kragen and none of them met the API SF or SG standard.  They were all SL or SM.

The lady behind the counter said that SF and SG oils contain no detergent.  Isn't detergent a good thing?  Why wouldn't GSs use detergent oil?  Is there a componenet in the detergent that attacks the engine seals?

What gives?  Should I really be that concerned with getting special API SF or SG oil?

Anyone have any thoughts?

I found this out on the ether:

QuoteBy consensus of the API and the manufacturers, the current SL classification meet all requirements of SF, SG, SH, and SJ plus all earlier API gasoline categories. The current SL actually offers some additional benefits over the older classifications. So, if the motorcycle requirement says "SG", be confident that "SL" indeed meets that requirement.

YMMV.

I use Mobil 1 10w40 motorcycle oil $6.48 a quart at walmart but I love mobile one use it in both my cars.I travel with the Alabama motocross as there Medic the guys that race love it they tell me at 100 hrs the do a over haul with no wear using mobile 1. Good luck.

Quote from: ditchdoc1017I use Mobile 1 10w40 motorcycle oil $6.48 a quart at walmart but I love mobile one use it in both my cars.I travel with the Alabama motocross as there Medic the guys that race love it they tell me at 100 hrs the do a over haul with no wear using mobile 1. Good luck.

For the first service, I'm going to let the shop do it to make sure everything that needs to be done/adjusted is done correctly.  I'll find out what they put into it.  Subsequent changes I'll probably switch to a synthetic like Mobil 1 and do them myself.  

But...$6+ a quart??  That sounds like highway robbery.  It can't be that expensive becuase of supply/demand issues...Aeroshell typically runs about $4-6/quart and is only used in piston aircraft.

Yea.. I thought the same when I went to Walmart.. HEY! No SF?  :lol:  :lol:  The guy at the counter explained that that is the old rating.. anything higher than SF like SH or SL is newer/better. It changes all the time ::

I Just buy the cheapest 10W40 that is brand name. I know some on here just use the old $.89 stuff, but I spend like $2.99 or so.. More $ is better right
:lol:

But to summerize... any oil in the store today will exceed the SF rating  

Here is an interesting report on oil ratings

So, does anyone have bad experiences with specific motor oils (motorcycle or automotive) in their GS?  Any that you've found cause clutch slippage? Shifting problems? Cold start issues?

Check out this post by Cheesy on another thread. It really helped me out.  Cheesy believes in keepin' that oil/engine clean  
http://gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21305

Is Mobile 1 oil from Alabama?

If I recall correctly (I don't have access to my personal library right now) service SA was the only non-detergent general engine oil.  But that really doesn't matter to this discussion.

What is important is that the next higher service grade meets *all* the lubricating requirements of the previous grades.  Therefore, if the manual calls for service SH, you can use service SJ,  Similarly, if the manual calls for service SF, you can use service SJ or SL.  After service SJ, I think the main changes to the additive package revolve around energy conservation additives. (friction reduction)

Just keep in mind that teflon and high phosphorous levels are not good for wet clutches.

Run cheap Wal-Mart API- SJ oil in it and be done with it.  $6 a quart is just dumb, even in a ferrari.  Badger is right, Aeroshell is cheaper.  Hell, full synthetic turbine oil is cheaper than Mobil 1.   :lol:

I just rebuilt my pickup engine at 560,000 miles.  Noting but wal-mart oil for me.  Can't beat $0.88 a quart.    :kiss:

*This is the opinion of a professional aircraft mechanic. The usual disclaimer applies*

Quote from: GeePJust keep in mind that teflon and high phosphorous levels are not good for wet clutches.

Does anyone know definitively (by virtue of experience) that the automotive Mobil oils (Mobil1...the not $6 version, Mobil 5000, etc.) are good/bad for the GS?  I'd really rather be able to use the $2-3 stuff I can grab at the corner rather than have to chase down special m/c stuff.  All things I've seen indicate that there shouldn't be any problem, but I'd like to hear that from people who know.

Quote from: GeeP$6 a quart is just dumb, even in a ferrari.

$6/quart is just dumB (with a capital B), considering regular Mobil1 is sooooo much less expensive.  I'm suspicious that the m/c version is just relabeled (and marked up).  

Quote from: GeePBadger is right, Aeroshell is cheaper.  Hell, full synthetic turbine oil is cheaper than Mobil 1.   :lol:

Not really understanding the differences, I wonder how the GS would run on Aeroshell ashless dispersant (or straight mineral oil, for that matter).  

Any car oil will work just fine in the GS. In fact, Volkswagen Beetles used straight 30 weight in the summer and my guess is that the GS twin and the VW Beetle have so much in common, they should probably be using interchangible parts. Except, of course, for the blasted heater which never worked well on the Beetle. I wish I had my '67 back.

Except that cars don't have wet clutches.

Quote from: RVertigoExcept that cars don't have wet clutches.

'zactly...that's why I'm interested in:

Quote from: BadgerDoes anyone know definitively (by virtue of experience)

I suppose I could just check their website:

Quote from: Mobil Marketing GuysCan I use Mobil Clean 5000 in my motorcycle or my boat engine?  

If your four-cycle motorcycle or boat engine calls for an API SM, SL, SJ, SH or SG rated oil, you can use Mobil Clean 5000.

Obviously, if you have a two-cycle motorcycle or outboard engine, you must use a two-cycle oil. However, we recommend that you follow the recommended oil change interval in your owner's manual.

Right around $2/quart and available on the corner.  Sold!

i use Castrol RX Super 15W-40 heavy duty oil (the stuff that says for diesel engines).

this is a really good article on what's good or bad in auto oils:
http://www.yft.org/tex_vfr/tech/oil.htm

Quote from: MountaineerAny car oil will work just fine in the GS. In fact, Volkswagen Beetles used straight 30 weight in the summer and my guess is that the GS twin and the VW Beetle have so much in common, they should probably be using interchangible parts. Except, of course, for the blasted heater which never worked well on the Beetle. I wish I had my '67 back.

The heater on my GS doesn't work any better than the heater that was in my 65 Beetle :dunno:

Quote from: BadgerDoes anyone know definitively (by virtue of experience) that the automotive Mobil oils (Mobil1...the not $6 version, Mobil 5000, etc.) are good/bad for the GS?

I used the Mobil 1 15W-50 synthetic auto oil in the 97 GS after about 5k miles breakin till I changed to the Mobil Delvac 15W-40 dino juice at about 60k miles.  Have been using the Delvac in it since and also went to the Delvac in the 02 GS at 4k miles and now have 31k miles on it.  I'm personally sold on the Heavy Duty oils like Delvac or Rotella till something better comes along.  The have no friction modifiers that the newer energy conserving auto oils have and also have the higher protective Zinc levels that were greatly reduced in auto oils to accomodate converters and are closer to the SG oils recommended by the bike mfgs.

My GSs run cooler on trhe 15W-40 oils than the 97 did on the 15W-50 oil.  I had 4 Hondas before the GSs and used 20W-50 auto oils in them in the summer.  All four Hondas and my 97 GS progressed from regular to mid grade to premium gasoline to reduce gasoline knock in hot weather as the miles built up on them.  I've gone back to regular with the 15W-40 Delvac in the 97 GS and remain with regular in the 02 GS since I stopped running any 15-50 or 20-50 oils which I repeat MADE THE SMALL AIR COOLED MOTORCYCLES ENGINES RUN NOTICEABLY HOTTER than oils ranging to 40 wt only.

After 330k miles on small (400-750cc) motorcycles including over 100k miles on my GSs, i'm still liking the Heavy Duty 15W-40 truck oils best.  The Delvac dino juice is about $7 a GALLON and is available at any Walmart or Auto supply store.

I found the article by Mike Guillory posted by indestructibleman above to be a very good read on mc oils and it's also found here:

http://www.gis.net/~manjo/motorcycle_motor_oil.htm

Mr. Jack! Hi............I've never heard of Delvac oil..........you say I can buy it at Wally World?.....7 bucks a gallon sounds great to me.
So it has never presented you any probs in the GS? Do you use it in your Autos as well? Thanks, Wilson

oh ok..........you say that is manf. by Mobil.........I will go and check it out this weekend........

http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/NAUSE2CVLMOMobil_Delvac_1300_Super.asp