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Using car oil in a bike engine


Guest chris_the_biker
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Hi,


I've recently bought a used Honda bike from a dealer having owned a car for most of my life. As a result, I've got some car oil left over but obviously have no car. Can I use this car oil in my bike? As I'm relatively new to owning a bike, I'm not sure on the ins and outs of what can and can't be used, so thought this might be a good place to ask.


Cheers,

Chris the Biker.

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Guest philgale

welcome to the forum....


i was told yesterday by the guys in the suzuki dealer not to, something to do with the clutch being wet on a bike and dry on a car (i dont know maybe they were just selling me there oil)

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I was tempted to do something similar when I forst got my bike, having 40L of car 10W40 in the garage, but have done a little reading (and posting on this board) and its advised not to becuase there are components added to car oil to reduce wear... these will cause clutch slip on your bike since it shares the same oil as your gearbox.


Other people have used it to no ill-effect, but I figured for the relatively small expense of some oil I'd prefer to use the right stuff.

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bike oil generally is a short chain lubricant. This is used, since a bike gearbox and clutch are both in the oil. Car oil usually isnt, and shouldnt be used.

Also most car oils have friction modifiers in them that may cause clutch slip.

Having said all that, I was once told by a 'Morris' lubricants rep, that the synth oils were the same stuff.


Id use as bike oil, play it safe. After all, a car doesnt spin to 10000 rpm+ does it!?!



Rolla

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bike oil generally is a short chain lubricant. This is used, since a bike gearbox and clutch are both in the oil. Car oil usually isnt, and shouldnt be used.

Also most car oils have friction modifiers in them that may cause clutch slip.

Having said all that, I was once told by a 'Morris' lubricants rep, that the synth oils were the same stuff.


Id use as bike oil, play it safe. After all, a car doesnt spin to 10000 rpm+ does it!?!



Rolla

 

:stupid:


Have a look at how much you would save v's the cost of new clutch and a full drain and flush of the oil system then ask yourself is it worth it.


IMHO I only ever use bike oil.

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I've used Duckhams car oil in my Harley Sportster for the last 7 years with no problems, but I do an oil/filter change every year and the transmission/wet clutch runs in its own oil bath (for which I use bike transmission oil).

Bill

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