Oil to use on a Kwacker GT550 - Synthetic, Magnetic, Super .

weewards · Derestricted Danger Joined: 16 Oct 2011 Karma :

What is the best oil to use in my GT550, its just back on the road after an 18 year break and is currently using standard 10w40 oil but should I be using something more exotic or will that actually do harm???

I'm confused

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

10w40 semi synth or fully synth if you prefer... it was designed to be run on that Thumbs Up

nowhere.elysium · The Pork Lord Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Karma :

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

I always use semi, was just stating he could use that if he preferred. No real need as its not a high spec engine to begin with?

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

GT550 is old enough to be designed to run on a very basic engine oil. Get the right viscosity and change it regularly.

All the best

Keith
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MickC · Spanner Monkey Joined: 27 May 2011 Karma :

If its anything like the early eighties Honda 750/900 (what year is yours?) then you definitely want to stick to standard oils even the semi-synthetic stuff will effect things like the clutch (there's stuff in there that will cause it to slip) and the fully-syn stuff is right out for them.
I change mine every 1000 miles (don't leave it more than 1500 - old engines need more protection) - you don't have to do the oil filter each time, do mine every 3000 or so.
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weasley · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Karma :

Without seeing the manual recommendation, I'd say a 10W-40 semi would be more than adequate, or as Keith says, a regular mineral oil will do the trick.

Semi or full synthetic oils do not automatically contain stuff that makes clutches slip.
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hmmmnz · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

the cheapest halford oil you can find, or if you can find even cheaper oil else where buy that,
magnetech isn't really good for any bike with a wet clutch
fully synth is just a waste of money and probably to thin any way,

a nice thick oil is what is needed, 15w40 will be fine, 20w50 what ever is the cheapest, far better to have cheap oil and do more regular changes
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weewards · Derestricted Danger Joined: 16 Oct 2011 Karma :

Hi, the manual says 10W40 & does not mention synthetic or mineral so I assume because of its age (1991) that mineral would be best but I just wondered if synthetic would have advantages but it would seem not

Thank you to all for your suggestions. Smile

temeluchus · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Oct 2008 Karma :

its an old engine, designed with basic oil in mind.

the cheapest end of car oil will likely be better than what it was designed to use originally.

expensive oil would be a waste of money.

any mineral 15/40 or 10/40 will be fine.
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weasley · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Karma :

The benefits of synthetic will likely be lost in the noise. A synthetic WILL give benefits, but probably not worth the extra money for what is, if you'll excuse me, a rather agricultural engine (meant in the best possible way, that many couriers can't be wrong!).
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