1980 KZ550A-Best Engine oil to use?

Yes I was told to use a 20-50wt for my 1980 KZ550A Kawasaki. I was woundering how true is this and will that be good for my engine? Its the origenal engine for what I was told when I bought the bike.

Oil recommendations usually run into a war on most newsgroups as it's a very personal preference thing. 20W50 is a good oil grade for hot weather riding. No good below about 50 degrees as too thick. Thousands of guys use 15W40 Rotella, Delo, or any of the other similar diesel spec oils with good results, but 15W40 too thick for cold weather too. 10W40 was original recommended grade. You really can't go wrong running 10W40 as recommended. Don't use car spec oil, get motorcycle oil. There is a difference.

Thanx I did not know that there was a difference between car and motorcycle oil. Damn you think my dad would of told me that. Hes been riding his harley since the 70s. Plus he know this is my first build and that Im basiclly learning as I go. But I have the book so no worries here! lol

I could be wrong, but I believe harley's do not have a wet plate clutch like the Kawasaki's have, where engine oil is shared with the transmission.


Engine oil : The commercial grade oils are clearly superior to the mass market oils. For the best protection in your bike or car, use Shell Rotella Synthetic, available at Wal-Mart in blue containers . For the best petroleum oil you can buy, get Shell Rotella T, Mobil Delvac 1300, or Chevron Delo 400, available at any auto parts store. On the back of most oil cans is a circular stamp with the certification. Avoid oils that say "energy conserving" in the bottom half of the donut.

These oils contain friction modifier additives that could cause clutch slipping over time. The EPA mandated certain gas mileage, so the auto makers turned to the oil manufacturers who came up with friction modifiers of the oil to meet these new standards. All XXw-20 and XXw-30 oils are energy conserving, and should not be used in your motorcycle. Don't buy any oil additives like STP or Slick-50.

The shear factor reportedly shortens oil life when the same oil supply is shared to lubricate both the transmission and the engine.

Good Fortune!

Those little engines were tough and reliable. Oil's come a ways since 1980. You can run the 20/50 in really hot weather but you don't need to. Main thing with oil, is regular changes with a filter. There are lots of good oils out there to choose from.

I run 20/50 in mine and when i run something thinner the trans doesn't shift as nice