Lets talk about Oil... What are KZ riders using?

My 76 900 had about 30K and my 81GPZ had about 22K when I started to use Synthetics. Its not how many miles but how old the motor and seals are. It is never too late. So what if it weeps a little oil. Just wash the bike more often.

toadson wrote:

How many miles did your engine have on it when you switched to synthetic? Mine has 34k now, so I would think it would be a little late to switch without developing some oil leaks.

Urban myth. You can change anytime you want.

ive been using the Castrol 4t 20w-50 in mine the last 2 oil changes, noticed quieter shifts and less oil seepage as compared to the valvoline mc 20w-50 oil i was using before.

There are quite a few companies that sell "brake-in" oil. "Redline" and "Royal purple being two. Also these companies sell oil which is specifically stated as having ZDDP. I think that any "Mineral" truck oil should be good for this task, and if in doubt, just add a bit of Redline ZDDP additive. This is what I am planing on doing when I put my top end on. I plan on pre-lubricating everything with a blend of STP and Lithium grease, Which is what e we used in the engine rebuild shop I used to work at years ago.

Here is something interesting I found out on the WEB. I think this is a nice bit of info. I also just emailed STP and am curious what info I will get from them tomorrow. Here is the bit from the WEB

Stp In Red & Blue Bottle/zddp Info From Mfg.
Here is the responce i got from STP on the red & blue container oil treatment.

If i read between the lines it looks as though both have enough ZDDP to protect our flat tappet cams,is that the impressioin you guy's get from the responce ?

Scott
================================================== ========

Dear Mr. Wheaton,
Thank you for contacting us about STP Oil Treatment - 4-Cylinder. We always appreciate hearing from our consumers.

Unfortunately, the amount of ZDDP in both types of oil treatments is proprietary information. However, I can tell you that the red bottle only contains slightly more than the blue bottle. Both products contain about 4 times the amount of what motor oils once contained. I hope this information helps you.
Again, thank you for contacting us.
Patti Copper
Consumer Response Representative
Consumer Services
__________________
SCOTT
1969 CHEVELLE SS396/4SPD/M20/12BOLT/3:31'S
ORIGINAL #'S MATCH/OWNED SINCE 1978.
1977 KAWASAKI KZ1000 (ORIGINAL OWNER)
1976 KAWASAKI KZ900

I asked them the same thing and got a similar answer:

Thank you for contacting us about your STP Oil Treatment. We always appreciate hearing from our consumers.



The amount of ZDDP in our product is proprietary. However, I can tell you that when you add one bottle to four to five quarts of oil, you have the same protection the older motor oils provided. Many classic car owners with flat tappet cam motors use our product for this reason. I hope this helps you.

Again, thank you for contacting us.

Sincerely,

Patti Copper
Consumer Response Representative
Consumer Services

otakar wrote:

However, I can tell you that the red bottle only contains slightly more than the blue bottle. Both products contain about 4 times the amount of what motor oils once contained.

Problem is the dilution rate for a four quart crankcase is about 15/128 which is about 12%. So, if the STP concentration is only 4X, you will end up with a ZDDP level of about 48% of nominal..... which is still way better than not having any at all. Looks like two cans of STP would put you up to close to 100%, but would raise the viscosity quite a bit as well.

bountyhunter wrote:

otakar wrote:

However, I can tell you that the red bottle only contains slightly more than the blue bottle. Both products contain about 4 times the amount of what motor oils once contained.

Problem is the dilution rate for a four quart crankcase is about 15/128 which is about 12%. So, if the STP concentration is only 4X, you will end up with a ZDDP level of about 48% of nominal..... which is still way better than not having any at all. Looks like two cans of STP would put you up to close to 100%, but would raise the viscosity quite a bit as well.

The way I understand it is that those levels are at, when mixed with 4-5 quarts of oil. Besides that I will still be using the Redline additive and the truck oil.

otakar wrote:

The way I understand it is that those levels are at, when mixed with 4-5 quarts of oil.

I looked at their MSDS sheet and it says the "Zinc compounds" are 1% - 3% in the STP, but doesn't specify what the compounds are exactly. Assuming the center which is 2%, that works out to about 20,000 PPM if I did the math right (just for the STP itself). With a 12% dilution rate, that knocks it down to about 2400 PPM diluted into four quarts of oil which is the right ballpark for what oils used to run. So, it looks like STP does give a decent dose of Zinc even diluted out assuming 2% Zinc compounds (which may be on the high side).

Those sound like good #s. Now imagin adding that to some Shell Rotella-T and you will be at twice of what the oils used to have. I also understand that the so called "Hi-Millage" oils are hi in ZDDP.

Here is a nice forum with some very good info about Rotella oil.
www.shellusserver.com/ubbthreads/ubbthre...t&Number=3166&page=2

Amsoil released a study of motorcycle oils in June. Open the link to view.


www.amsoil.com/lit/G-2156.pdf