Opinions on Rotella oil for my 86 Aspy

[Senkoguy1]

Doing my 1st oil change since getting the bike a few months ago and I've read here that synthetic works for some, not for others and I'm liking the reduced "shifter clunk" using synthetic So went to my local Car Quest store where a fellow Winger works and he told me he's now using Rotella 5w40 synthetic oil for diesel engines and loves it's performance. He owns a 2004. I, being cautious bought a gallon for $28 which is sitting on the bench, but I keep thinking about the owner's manual (1986) which says to use 10w40 SE or SF. Apparently you can't buy 10w40 synthetic but they also had an oil designed for motorcycles that advertises reduced "clunk" but it's not synthetic. I have 77K on this bike and I'd like to see it hit 200k. What's my main concern?

[cbx4evr]

What type of oil got the bike to 77k??? Maybe you should stick with that.

As to the Rotella T6 mant Goldwing owners use it with no problems.

[dudeboy]

In multi grade oils, the first numbers are for cold starting until it warms up to running temp, the second numbers are for hot running. The first number has to do with the temps of your region like 20 degrees. If you are in a constant warm region, Florida, all you need is the last number. 10,20, etc. is for start up and 30,40,50, is for running. A low first number, 10, 20, will not hurt any thing, only the last numbers will, 30, 40, 50. Being in NY go with the 10 40.

[SteveB123]

, but I keep thinking about the owner's manual (1986) which says to use 10w40 SE or SF.

SF has been obsolete since 1988, so that's pretty much off the table, unless you really feel like digging around for some bizarre, obsolete, mail order oil.

"The Japanese Automotive Standards Organization (JASO) has created their own set of performance and quality standards for petrol engines of Japanese origin.

For four-stroke gasoline engines, the JASO T904 standard is used, and is particularly relevant to motorcycle engines. The JASO T904-MA and MA2 standards are designed to distinguish oils that are approved for wet clutch use, and the JASO T904-MB standard is not suitable for wet clutch use.

For two-stroke gasoline engines, the JASO M345 (FA, FB, FC) standard is used, and this refers particularly to low ash, lubricity, detergency, low smoke and exhaust blocking.

These standards, especially JASO-MA (for motorcycles) and JASO-FC, are designed to address oil-requirement issues not addressed by the API service categories. One element of the JASO-MA standard is a friction test designed to determine suitability for wet clutch usage.[18][9] An oil that meets JASO-MA is considered appropriate for wet clutch operations. Oils marketed as motorcycle-specific will carry the JASO-MA label."-source, wiki, motor oil.

Rotella (reg and synth) are to the JASO MA standard.

[Senkoguy1]

Excellent post Steve, you've put my mind at ease. I changed the oil and went for a 4 hour ride yesterday and found that the gear engagement is considerably smoother but my engine ran just a little bit warmer. By that I mean I usually see 3 bars on the digital temp gauge but most of the day it was 3/4 bars. I never approached 5 bars so I can live with it.