There has been some useful talk on outdoor and runningtemperatures for grades of oil. While 20/50 is one solution for twins, I'd like to stick with the straight grades in my singles.
It is interesting that straight 50 is recommended for the WD 16H. Now, generally it appears the rule is 50 for summer and 30 for winter. I have been using 40 all year round, although winter use is very limited.
It was suggested that the summers between 2006 and this year that 30 would have been suitable for all year round. It appears that the outside temperature should be 20?C or 68?F for 40 to work and flow properly from start up / cold. We don't always get that in the summer in the UK andcertainly not in winter.
So, What about a 35 grade by half and half with non detergent 30 and 40? I think that would take the starting outside temperature down to around 10?Cor 50?F, the UK's average annual temperature.
I'm not an oil expert and will ask my lubrication agent. In light of this information and low mileage it would save making two oil changes in a year to account for the seasons. Your thoughts please on straight 35?
PS: The debate was on the Commando or HTsection.
There is a bit of differen…
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What I thought Gordon. I'…
What I thought Gordon. I'll post what the Miller's man says anyway.
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There is a bit of difference between theory and practice regarding mixing oils. Some view it with great suspicion, but there are times when it is unavoidable. When my son borrows one of my bikes which is running on SAE 40, he tops it up with synthetic 15W-50 because that's what he uses in his Kawasaki. No harm has been done. Similarly,when touring, I will top up with whatever I can get, usually forecourt 20-50. The WD 16H is a fairly low stressed engine and as long as it's getting plenty of clean oil, a mix of grades isn't going to bother it. Using SAE 40 all year round (as I do with my B31) in my opinion is fine anyway. Gordon.