Oil Question - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

philipk65 · 10-16-2007, 11:28 AM

I have a '75 Honda CB 550F. I want to know what kind of oil to use in it now that the modern oils no longer have the right amount of ZDDP that the older engines require. Thanks!

**Clint** · 10-16-2007, 11:48 AM

There have been huge discussions over zinc levels in motorcycle oil. My conclusions are that modern oil (conventional or synthetic) is so much better than it was in '75 that you can't go wrong with a motorcycle-specific oil of your choice in the proper weight. Zinc is just one small part of the big picture, and it's not the only way to skin that cat.

Welcome to M-J!

Tab B. · 10-16-2007, 12:48 PM

+1
Unfortuneately, oil preferences will always be an argumentative topic. If you are considering economy with apparently little sacrifice, lots of fellows are leaning to the diesel engine oils{synthetics too}. They, as a rule of thumb, don't seem to have the anti-friction additive packages that the gas engine oils{auto} have to help with gas mileage. I haven't tried any yet, but am considering it.
Notice, I am keeping "brand names" out of this.
At any rate, if you stick to a fairly regular oil change regimen, your CB550F should be like the "Energizer Bunny" anyways.

philipk65 · 10-16-2007, 01:12 PM

Rowdy Red 94, Thanks for the info. So, if I use a Honda brand oil I should be fine for my '75 CB 550?

I see your in St. Cloud, MN. I grew up in the Twin Cities area but now live in the San Francisco Bay area for the pass 4 years.

**Clint** · 10-16-2007, 01:59 PM

Good point, Tab. I believe diesel oils are popular specifically because of a higher zinc content. Could be wrong.

Glad to meet a fellow Minnesotan. Quite a change over there, eh? I tend to buy oil brands other than those labeled for motorcycle manufacturers because I don't know who made Honda oil, for example. I'm sure I could find out, but there's also the issue of cost. Anything marked "Honda" is likely more expensive than the same product with a more generic label. I'm sure it's just fine, though.

Tab B. · 10-16-2007, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Good point, Tab. I believe diesel oils are popular specifically because of a higher zinc content. Could be wrong.

Hmmm, I wasn't aware of that. I'll do some casual reading, and see what pops up. Thanks.

philipk65 · 10-16-2007, 11:41 PM

Rowdy Red 94, The only reason I use Honda engine oil is that it's supposed to make the wet clutch system on my bike work better (less slippery) Is that true? Thanks!

Tab B. · 10-17-2007, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philipk65

Rowdy Red 94, The only reason I use Honda engine oil is that it's supposed to make the wet clutch system on my bike work better (less slippery) Is that true? Thanks!

I can chime in on this one. I have used auto oils instead of motorcycle specific oils for pretty much the whole 30+ years I've been riding, and I have never had an oil related problem with my clutches. I've fried a few of them too. It really isn't a big deal. Try what ever oil you want to, and see what happens. I tend to agree with those who say that if your clutch slips because of a change in oil type, it means that your clutch was ready to go anyways. You can always cheat a little by putting in preload washers on your springs{coil type}, or putting in heavy duty springs.

demingrickjames · 02-25-2008, 07:50 PM

I've been running Mobil1 synthetic in my 78 Cx500 since they came out with it.(the oil not the bike) I've never had an oil related problem with it and the wet clutch works fine.

boooya · 03-09-2008, 05:44 PM

Give this a look over.

amsoil Amsoil ams oil amzoil motorcycle oil study synthetic motorcycle oil motorcycle synthetic oil motorcycle oil comparisons motorcycle oil best synthetic motorcycle oil best motorcycle oil motorcycle amsoil motorcycle oil review motorcycle oil rat

omegajim · 03-09-2008, 08:04 PM

my 2 cents; semisynthetic ran well in the old Yamaha (mine's an 80, so the vintage is close).

As a matter of fact semisynthetic, the bike burnt maybe 1/2 quart of oil in a bit over 5 k. With conventional oil, it would have easily exceeded 2 quarts by the same mileage.

old codger · 03-09-2008, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boooya

Give this a look over.

amsoil Amsoil ams oil amzoil motorcycle oil study synthetic motorcycle oil motorcycle synthetic oil motorcycle oil comparisons motorcycle oil best synthetic motorcycle oil best motorcycle oil motorcycle amsoil motorcycle oil review motorcycle oil rat

I am shocked that the conclusion of this site seems to be that Amsoil motorcycle oil is better, much better that other oil. Could it be that they are trying to sell Amsoil oil?

I have been using Mobil 1 (car stuff) since the oil came out, never had an oil related problem. There are lots of other brands you can use and as long as you use the proper weight oil and quality oil, (change the filter every time) I doubt you will cause an oil related problem. Of course my expirence with motorcycles only goes back to 1964. Oil has been improved significently since the 60's.

Old codger

boooya · 03-10-2008, 08:12 PM

Yea when I first read it I thought the same, Amsoil ad. But the fact is numbers and tests don't lie. Not when there comparing to the competition, If the test results were untrue or not performed properly Mobile 1 and the rest of them would be all over it with a lawsuit. Gotta admit they get really in depth with it. Either way still a good read.

**Clint** · 03-10-2008, 08:44 PM

The numbers don't lie, but the importance of the qualities they list can be overstated. Mobil could (and has) compiled similar lists showing the areas that their product trumps Amsoil.

It's all good. I tried Amsoil once and thought it made the engine buzzier. Coulda been something else, but I went to Mobil 1 and couldn't be happier.

10-16-2007, 11:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
philipk65 Newbie Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 3	Oil Question I have a '75 Honda CB 550F. I want to know what kind of oil to use in it now that the modern oils no longer have the right amount of ZDDP that the older engines require. Thanks!

02-25-2008, 07:50 PM	#9 (permalink)
demingrickjames In Training Joined: Feb 2008 Bike: 2007 Yamaha Stratoliner Location: Deming, NM Posts: 135	I've been running Mobil1 synthetic in my 78 Cx500 since they came out with it.(the oil not the bike) I've never had an oil related problem with it and the wet clutch works fine. __________________ The Dark Side.

03-09-2008, 05:44 PM	#10 (permalink)
boooya Kickstand Operator Joined: Sep 2007 Bike: '07 Suzuki M50 Black Location: Barrie, Ont. Canada Posts: 288	Give this a look over. amsoil Amsoil ams oil amzoil motorcycle oil study synthetic motorcycle oil motorcycle synthetic oil motorcycle oil comparisons motorcycle oil best synthetic motorcycle oil best motorcycle oil motorcycle amsoil motorcycle oil review motorcycle oil rat __________________ FORWARD CONTROLS 2.5" DROP INTEGRATED TAIL LIGHT SIDE MOUNT PLATE COBRA PIPES PCIII DEBAGED RED GLOW NEONS STINGER HYPERCHARGER MEMPHIDS SHADES POPTOP MAPAM SISSYBAR & RACK MUSTANG DAYTRIPPER

03-09-2008, 08:04 PM	#11 (permalink)
omegajim Just Won't Go Away ! Joined: Jan 2007 Bike: 1980 Yamaha XS850 Location: Washington County, WI Posts: 5,127	my 2 cents; semisynthetic ran well in the old Yamaha (mine's an 80, so the vintage is close). As a matter of fact semisynthetic, the bike burnt maybe 1/2 quart of oil in a bit over 5 k. With conventional oil, it would have easily exceeded 2 quarts by the same mileage. __________________ I have a truckload of nothing and it's certified, I got the certificate right here.

03-10-2008, 08:12 PM	#13 (permalink)
boooya Kickstand Operator Joined: Sep 2007 Bike: '07 Suzuki M50 Black Location: Barrie, Ont. Canada Posts: 288	Yea when I first read it I thought the same, Amsoil ad. But the fact is numbers and tests don't lie. Not when there comparing to the competition, If the test results were untrue or not performed properly Mobile 1 and the rest of them would be all over it with a lawsuit. Gotta admit they get really in depth with it. Either way still a good read. __________________ FORWARD CONTROLS 2.5" DROP INTEGRATED TAIL LIGHT SIDE MOUNT PLATE COBRA PIPES PCIII DEBAGED RED GLOW NEONS STINGER HYPERCHARGER MEMPHIDS SHADES POPTOP MAPAM SISSYBAR & RACK MUSTANG DAYTRIPPER

10-16-2007, 12:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tab B. Third gear and cruising Joined: May 2007 Bike: 86 GSXR750G, 93 GSX1100G, 89 YSR50 Location: Kingston NH Posts: 454	+1 Unfortuneately, oil preferences will always be an argumentative topic. If you are considering economy with apparently little sacrifice, lots of fellows are leaning to the diesel engine oils{synthetics too}. They, as a rule of thumb, don't seem to have the anti-friction additive packages that the gas engine oils{auto} have to help with gas mileage. I haven't tried any yet, but am considering it. Notice, I am keeping "brand names" out of this. At any rate, if you stick to a fairly regular oil change regimen, your CB550F should be like the "Energizer Bunny" anyways.

10-16-2007, 01:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
philipk65 Newbie Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 3	Rowdy Red 94, Thanks for the info. So, if I use a Honda brand oil I should be fine for my '75 CB 550? I see your in St. Cloud, MN. I grew up in the Twin Cities area but now live in the San Francisco Bay area for the pass 4 years.

10-16-2007, 11:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
philipk65 Newbie Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 3	Rowdy Red 94, The only reason I use Honda engine oil is that it's supposed to make the wet clutch system on my bike work better (less slippery) Is that true? Thanks!

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