Need advice on oil

[Dave_B]

Hello. I Recently traded for a 1977 Goldwing GL 1000. I'm not really experienced in motorcycle maitenance and was wondering if some of you folks could advise me on what weight and brand oil is best for the GL 1000? Thanks, Dave

[cbx4evr]

Shell Rotella T 15-40 is what I use.

Do a search on this forum. You will find far more information about oil than anything else.

Welcome to the forum. Looks like a nice ride.

[m2102]

if oil requirements are the same as my 1500,i use valvoline 10w40 for motorcycles.designed to work very well in wet clutches.

[portugeezer]

I use the Rotella 15w-40. I used to use Valvoline motorcycle 10W-40 until I took a long trip. It broke down to the viscosity of water and my oil pressure dropped. I replaced it with Rotella and had no problems with the return trip.

[wjnfirearms]

I've gone to the Rotella also for my '77. There are many that use it and it has been recommended by experts that have no ties to Shell so nothing to gain.

Diesel engines are tough on oil and Rotella is the preferred oil for many diesel owners. It's one of the best out in the market. Good enough for me.

[portugeezer]

The price is right too. Around $14 a gallon and they even have it at Wal Mart!

[Placerville]

+1 on the comments for Rotella. As you are new to GL's, I strongly suggest that you go to Randakk's site and read every article he has on the GL1000. Pay particular attention to his Tips For New Owners. There, you'll find his recommendation regarding Rotella. Pay particular attention to the type of Rotella you need.

Did your '77 come with an owners manual? If not, here's a reproduction copy that you might want to pick up.

There are other vintage GL sites on the Web. The NGW and Classic Goldwings are both excellent and full of helpful members and information.

[Dave_B]

Thank you to all. this has been very helpfull.

[sfruechte]

A couple decades ago Motorcycle Consumer News conducted a test where they had used oil analyzed and Castrol GTX came out on top, better than any of the motorcycle manufacturer's oils.
My 77 Goldwing has 220,000 miles and has never had an overhaul or even a head removed. I also have the original clutch which also runs in the oil. I started out with Skelly 20/40 and when they were bought by Getty I used Getty 20/40 and when they were bought out by Halvoline I used Halvoline 10/40 and most recenty I have started to use the Castrol GTX specficially for high mileage engines just in case. Bottom line, it probably doesn't matter as long as you use a good quality motor oil that meets the manufacturer's specifications.

[ned]

Gentle people,

Our ride is no different to any other engine and therefore uses engine oil of specified viscosity; 10w-40 in this case. Remember that our rides were designed in 1970s, well before synthetics and many advances were made in liquid engineering. In fact you just can't get the oil they used in 1970s for any money; too old and would not meet any modern specs.

1. The differenced between GL and your family car is the wet clutch system, so motor oils must not contain certain additives (friction modifiers). Therefore, any oil that passes Japanese specifications for motorcycles (JASO MA) will be fine (all motorcycle oils do).

2. Use synthetic if possible, else change your oil as specified in the manual.

3. So: 10w-40 or 15w-40 synthetic or semi-synthetic of your favoured brand will be fine so long as it has JASO MA written on the bottle (somewhere near all the other ratings).

Many diesel oils mentioned above are suitable.

[artgrantz]

I use Mobil 1 synthectic , and used it in every GoldWing I owned including the 1000. One thing you should be aware of with synthetics and older engines. The synthetic may find ways to leak out where the non synthetic didn't. Once the path is made switching back to non synthetic will not stop the leak. I had to replace the valve cover gaskets on my 1000 because of that, but after they were replaced the synthetic did not leak and worked very well.

[tfdeputydawg]

I have been using the newer Mobile 1 4T: http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/Mot ... 0W-40.aspx
I have never entered oil discussions other than when someone posts how great a oil is that is not even the wt. to be used in a Wing.
However, I am positive I noticed smoother shifting after using this Mobile1 4T
One other comment> Has anyone ever heard of a oil related failure on any Wing when oil is used, dino or synthetic, meets Honda's specs?

[ned]

I have been using the newer Mobile 1 4T...I noticed smoother shifting after using this Mobile1 4T
One other comment> Has anyone ever heard of a oil related failure on any Wing when oil is used, dino or synthetic, meets Honda's specs?

The 4T tells me that it is a motor oil for bikes. It will be JASO MA rated and it will work very well.

My understanding is that Honda (manufacturer) ratings is a very recent phenomenon. The story has it that the US ratings didn't have sufficient coverage details for Jap and Euro cars/bikes, so the manufacturers and EU come up with their own. Now you will see things like : ACEA A3/B3, Porsche GL, JASO MA, BMW LL-98 + many others. The upshot of this is that they specify things like: viscosity must stay in spec for 10,000km (6000m) etc.

The problem for oil makers is that they have to provide oil for testing, get a letter of approval and pay money to be able to say that it passes whatever the rating is. The certificate lasts for a few years and then they have to do it all again. An expensive exercise I am sure, but at least we have some idea if the oil is any good. Back in 1970s, and earlier, motor oil was just the stuff people bought by the brand and viscosity ratings and in Sydney Castrol was the stuff people used.

I often look at the back of the bottle and if I don't see JASO MA etc... that oil does not go into the GL.

[77Goldwing]

Apologies for resurrecting an old post, but I have a question...

I have been running dino oil in my '77 Wing since I acquired it in 1978. I don't ride much anymore, generally <2000 miles/year, but still change the oil and filter after every riding season. I notice it is shifting a little rough lately and wonder if switching to a proper synthetic might smooth that out. Also, are there any known issues with switching to syn after all these years of dino, other than maybe some new leaks (which it does not do now)?

[Winger1957]

I recently switched to Mobile 1 Synthetic for motorcycles (T4, JASO rated, for "Racing Motorcycles")) from Rotella T4, and it immediately made my GL1000 faster. No leaks, no burning oil. Love the stuff.