Which oil to use?

Discussion in 'Maintenance' started by ColinBR, Nov 25, 2011.

  1. abv

    abv Active Member

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    So both Honda and Castrol recommend an oil that will make my clutch slip ???

    I don't think so.

    My Honda dealer uses the Honda recommended oil which is Castrol Power 1 Racing 10W-30 Fully Synth

    Fully synth provided it meets certain standards as specified in your handbook will not make your clutch slip.

    The following was originally posted honda.ima

    Here is Castrol's answer to this question about Fully Synthetic oil in the Fireblade.

    Modern bike oils go through rigorous tests to ensure wet clutch
    compatibility - after API SG ( API being American Petroleum Institute -
    a CAR specific specification ), which was the specification adopted by
    the Japanese as there was no specific bike one - after SG they started
    putting additives into the oils to reduce the friction, fine in cars
    where you want fuel efficiency, but bad in bikes using the oil for wet
    clutches - so the Japanese introduced some specific wet clutch
    performance tests - JASO MA, which has been uprated latterly to JASO
    MA-2. Any bike oil should have this JASO spec as that confirm that the
    frictional characteristics are suitable for wet clutches - also for
    engines and gearboxes which is also part of the same lube system.
    All Castrol 4 stroke bike oils are JASO MA-2 and many of our tests are
    done on Fireblade and SP2 engines.

    Clutches also don't last forever - you'll probably find that even
    changing to a new part synthetic, or even mineral oil would be enough to
    tip a clutch over the edge if it was on it's last legs anyway - and of
    course, the oil would get the blame. A lot of what's on the internet is
    hearsay ( I heard it from a bloke down the pub so it must be right ) or
    based on 90% of the facts - it was a car synthetic he used ... Etc.

    I am on quite a few Forums being a biker myself, but there is such a lot
    of half truths and misinformation - and always someone who knows better
    ( because a mate told him )so I just let them get on with it. Use the
    recommended bike specific oil, change it regular, keep it topped up -
    job done.

    Honda don't spend millions in development costs to recommend an oil that
    makes the clutch slip and Castrol developed the new Power 1 Racing
    10W-30 specifically with Honda for Honda Fireblades ( hence the sticker
    on the frame recommending it ) - more power and efficiency ... and they
    suggest that it's backwards compatible for their other models although I
    normally have a rule of thumb of bikes around 2000 and newer.

    Hope that helps

    Kind regards

    Andy Griffin
    Automotive Lubricants - UK & Ireland
    Lubricants - Advanced Technical Support
    T: 0845 0821719
    Email: [email protected]
    Engine Oil and Lubricants Castrol UK - Engine Oil and Lubricant Products
     
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  2. Nutty Tart

    Nutty Tart Well-Known Member

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    Now then abv ... CC did not say it will make your clutch slip ... he was refering to the fact that from 08 the Blade is fitted with a 'slipper clutch' to help with agressive down shifts .
    However I also agree that if Honda recommend 10/30 Fully Synth then there is no reason to think otherwise .
    I myself use 10/30 FS :D
     
  3. abv

    abv Active Member

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    There is something odd happening here. I replied to this and so did CC but I can't either posts now :confused:
     
  4. CastrolCraig

    CastrolCraig Active Member

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    Hands up, that be me lol, i replied but worded it wrong & grammar was pants. for some reason when i deleted mine it did yours also.

    Apologies (slightly red faced)
     
  5. abv

    abv Active Member

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    My original reply was...

    Apologies if I came across a bit agressive but I still maintain that fully synth will not 'play havoc with the friction plates in my slipper clutch'.

    :)
     
  6. abv

    abv Active Member

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    No worries just thought I was going mad for a bit lol
     
  7. Carl

    Carl Well-Known Member

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    Honda Grantham Recommend semi synthetic, fully synthetic can give a bit of clutch slip they say, I don't know if thats right??
     
  8. Remal

    Remal It's ME
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    the First Rule of mod club, DON'T FECKING REMOVE MEMBERS POSTS [​IMG]
     
  9. CastrolCraig

    CastrolCraig Active Member

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    Lol, As i had said, the advice at the time of recall in 2008 (given by the institute) was to use semi synth, customers could have fully synth BUT had to be warned of excessive clutch wear and/or slip, this may have been supersceeded by now but ive not seen anything.

    As i also said, i did run fully in my dads old 09 racebike but we dialled the clutch in for it, and i run fully in my 07 blade racebike.
     
  10. CastrolCraig

    CastrolCraig Active Member

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    Dont spank me lol.

    What i think happened, i was doing it on iphone, thought i hadnt ticked the box to remove, ticked ABV' by accident. i have apologised to him here and via PM.
     
  11. abv

    abv Active Member

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    I think this will run and run and I don't want it to get out of hand but my last thoughts are this.

    My Honda dealer used fully synth at the first service without asking, they say it's the recommended oil.
    2000 miles later I did a trip through the Alps if the clutch was going to give any problems I think they would have shown up on some of the steep hairpin corners and climbs.
    The bloke from Castrol explains that providing it meets the JASO standards fully synth is fine and that they used Fireblade engines in their testing.
     
  12. abv

    abv Active Member

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    I just Googled TruBlue oil stabilizer and the top result was you posting on an Yamaha XJR owners forum in 2008

    :eek:

    I take your point about not knowing if the oil is good without opening the engine but I really was only talking about the clutch slippage issue. As for the old oil burning question that's a whole different saga.
     
  13. Carl

    Carl Well-Known Member

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    Sorry AGV I posted my thought before reading your post, perhaps the clutch slip problems with FS was an old Technology problem, I have to say it was at least 6 years ago I asked my Honda dealer and products have move on technically. Given your comprehensive answer I will change to FS in the next few weeks when I prepare for the spring.



    Thanks for the heads up
     
  14. kev.b

    kev.b Well-Known Member

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    I use castrol power one racing fully synth 10/30 in my 06 blade changed evey 1500 miles .
    not had any problems , use the bike for fast road an track days .
    Does not use any oil betwen oil changes .
     
  15. Bats

    Bats Active Member

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    At the end of the day use a branded decent make of oil correct grade fully or semi and you will be reet!
     
  16. Givover

    Givover God Like

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    Well i have been to Halfords this morning and picked up my new oil and filter I have got Castrol Power 1 Racing 4T 10-30 TRI-ZONE my dumb ass question is The 10w 40 same stuff says fully synthetic and mine says HC-Synthetic what is hc and have i the right oil Ps i asked the girl who went to the manager but the answer was we don't know! classic.
     
  17. kpone

    kpone Moderator
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    It usually stands for hydro cracked, a form of refining using pressurised hydrogen in the process, but that's usually aviation fuel and diesel oil. I don't know if they use the same for a synthetic oil, though.
     
  18. Givover

    Givover God Like

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    Cheers Boys but as i am a detail person i need to know if this is classed as fully Synthetic or semi and more important is it the right stuff.Thanks Mike.
     
  19. kpone

    kpone Moderator
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    You're not wrong Arthur. I completely fail to see the point in how complicated they make the labels. Worse still, I emailed them once with a query and got a reply 2 months later.

    Mike, it is fully synthetic according to Castrol's own spec sheets.
     
  20. Givover

    Givover God Like

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    Yup thats my point the 10-40 clearly states semi so thats easy but as the 10-30 seems to be the forum choice i got it but the HC then leaves a bit of a question.
     

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