Planet Minis

allmakesmx · 12-16-2006, 06:36 AM

I was curious about using automotive 10w40 motor oil; would it affect the clutch?
I use motorcycle oil only in the big bikes, but not sure if the Z50's require it as well.
This would be only temporary anyway, just for a quick ride, but I don't want to have clutch problems either.
(I am working a full day today or I would just get the right oil....)
Thanks, Josh.

Jbrownkyr1 · 12-16-2006, 07:56 AM

Automotive oils have detergents that will affect the wet clutch in your bike. There are a few auto oils that are ok but I'm not sure how to read the label on the back of the bottle to tell. If you are able to get to an autozone or pep boys they pretty much all carry motorcycle oils now. Just be safe and grab the bike oil if you can.

arlindsay1992 · 12-16-2006, 09:15 AM

Yeah. You want to have do additives or graphite or things like that. Get the cheapest 10W-40 oil there is. That usually has the least amount of extra stuff. (that's what I do)

SprNtrl · 12-16-2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allmakesmx

I was curious about using automotive 10w40 motor oil; would it affect the clutch?
I use motorcycle oil only in the big bikes, but not sure if the Z50's require it as well.
This would be only temporary anyway, just for a quick ride, but I don't want to have clutch problems either.
(I am working a full day today or I would just get the right oil....)
Thanks, Josh.

Stay clear of all automotive oils. Even if you put it in the bike for a short time, the clutch plates would need to be scraped. Stick with a cheapish dino bike oil for a fresh build, then move to a quality synthetic bike oil after break in is complete if you wish.

kane · 12-17-2006, 07:43 AM

I run chevron dello 400 or mobil delvac 1300. Great stuff, both designed for diesels (which is a tougher requirement than gasoline) but also meet gasoline standards. Perfect stuff for a hard working bikes and save you $$ over motorcycle oil.

Hardtail · 12-17-2006, 11:10 AM

I guess adding some Dura-lube to the oil is a no go then?
Swear by the stuff in my other rigs, running it straight in my generator

Thanks

kane · 12-19-2006, 10:33 PM

just look at the ratings on the label and see if it's allison c-4 rated. If so then the oil is fine for wet clutches. I know for a fact that the chevron dello 400 is and has a ton more zinc in it to decrease wear compared to other oils.

stlwalnut · 12-20-2006, 12:30 PM

You can use cheap auto oil if you want to, but you will have to make sure there IS NOT a "Energy Saver" seal on the label. The "Energy Saver" seal means it has additives that will adversly affect your clutch...

Hardtail · 12-20-2006, 12:43 PM

Hey guys

Does the oil affect just stock engine auto-clutches or both autos & Lifan style lever clutches?

Thanks

SprNtrl · 12-20-2006, 12:59 PM

All the clutches on the horizontal motors are wet clutch, except for dry clutches which have vented clutch covers.

arlindsay1992 · 12-20-2006, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SprNtrl

...All the clutches on the motors are wet clutch, except for dry clutches...

Makes sense to me.

Hardtail · 12-23-2006, 09:03 AM

Thanks again, glad I saw this thread first

davez · 12-24-2006, 09:27 PM

It's only a quart, put the best bike oil in you can.

arlindsay1992 · 12-25-2006, 09:19 PM

Ha! I buy oil by the box. That's 3 gallons. I get the cheap stuff. It's cheap and it works.

12-16-2006, 06:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
allmakesmx 2nd Gear Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 256	motor oil possibilities I was curious about using automotive 10w40 motor oil; would it affect the clutch? I use motorcycle oil only in the big bikes, but not sure if the Z50's require it as well. This would be only temporary anyway, just for a quick ride, but I don't want to have clutch problems either. (I am working a full day today or I would just get the right oil....) Thanks, Josh.

12-16-2006, 07:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jbrownkyr1 2nd Gear Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 372	Automotive oils have detergents that will affect the wet clutch in your bike. There are a few auto oils that are ok but I'm not sure how to read the label on the back of the bottle to tell. If you are able to get to an autozone or pep boys they pretty much all carry motorcycle oils now. Just be safe and grab the bike oil if you can.

12-16-2006, 09:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
arlindsay1992 "High Speed Record Guy" Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 4,369	Yeah. You want to have do additives or graphite or things like that. Get the cheapest 10W-40 oil there is. That usually has the least amount of extra stuff. (that's what I do)

12-17-2006, 07:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
kane 2nd Gear Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: murrieta ca Posts: 717	I run chevron dello 400 or mobil delvac 1300. Great stuff, both designed for diesels (which is a tougher requirement than gasoline) but also meet gasoline standards. Perfect stuff for a hard working bikes and save you $$ over motorcycle oil.

12-17-2006, 11:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
Hardtail PM Newbie Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Orygun Posts: 19	I guess adding some Dura-lube to the oil is a no go then? Swear by the stuff in my other rigs, running it straight in my generator Thanks

12-19-2006, 10:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
kane 2nd Gear Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: murrieta ca Posts: 717	just look at the ratings on the label and see if it's allison c-4 rated. If so then the oil is fine for wet clutches. I know for a fact that the chevron dello 400 is and has a ton more zinc in it to decrease wear compared to other oils.

12-20-2006, 12:30 PM	#8 (permalink)
stlwalnut 1st Gear Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 216	You can use cheap auto oil if you want to, but you will have to make sure there IS NOT a "Energy Saver" seal on the label. The "Energy Saver" seal means it has additives that will adversly affect your clutch...

12-20-2006, 12:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
Hardtail PM Newbie Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Orygun Posts: 19	Hey guys Does the oil affect just stock engine auto-clutches or both autos & Lifan style lever clutches? Thanks

12-20-2006, 12:59 PM	#10 (permalink)
SprNtrl 3rd Gear Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,183 My Mood:	All the clutches on the horizontal motors are wet clutch, except for dry clutches which have vented clutch covers.

12-23-2006, 09:03 AM	#12 (permalink)
Hardtail PM Newbie Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Orygun Posts: 19	Thanks again, glad I saw this thread first

12-24-2006, 09:27 PM	#13 (permalink)
davez 2nd Gear Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 769	It's only a quart, put the best bike oil in you can.

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12-25-2006, 09:19 PM	#14 (permalink)
arlindsay1992 "High Speed Record Guy" Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 4,369	Ha! I buy oil by the box. That's 3 gallons. I get the cheap stuff. It's cheap and it works.