Post by anon on Jan 31, 2007 20:53:23 GMT
From: Andy_Cayman Sent: 22/04/2004
Hi, I am looking for some advice about engine, fork oils and chain lube. I live in the Caribbean, so the environmental temps here are a tad warmer than the UK. I dont need to worry about cold starting my 600 divy. Problem is the Haynes manual indicates using 20W-40, but I cant find any of that oil on the Island, anyone know if any other types would be OK?
Also, fork oil is not available here, is this a special type of oil, or could I use hydraulic fluid of a similar weight? (10W)..
I also want to find a chain lube suitable for tropical conditions.
Any assistance or advice would be appreciated.
From: superzebraa Sent: 23/04/2004
I guess that no one can answer your questions as there is no reply within moments.
Hydraulic fluid, you could try it i guess, fork oil has an anti foaming agent in it i believe to calm things down a bit, i can only imagine that hydro fluid has somthing similar too.
As for the oil put the closest next one you can get i suppose, i should imagine it is better than old oil which has lost its lubicating properties.
We are not used to such climate over here in the uk
From: Ghotà Sent: 23/04/2004
Andy,
The numbers refer to how good a lubricant an engine oil is at low and high temperatures. The first number is for cooler running and the second for warmer running. The W after the first number means it is for cooler (ie winter) temperatures.
If you run an oil in too colder temp it will be too thick (cause engine drag and poss. damage). Also, if the oil is not rated to go hot enough then it will get too thin at higher temperatures and again not protect the engine fully.
If you are lucky enough to only ride in hot weather, I would look for an oil with a higher last number than 40. Perhaps this is the reason you can not get any 20W/40 coz it wont be any good where you are. Check the other ratings that are recomended (API rating in the UK, not sure if this is a world wide scale though) and try a higher temperature oil (say 20/50 if you can get that).
I'm hoping that someone will jump in here and agree with me (possibly giving full details of the ratings). Where is that R***f (sorry TJ) when you need him?
HTH
Paul
From: garbren Sent: 26/04/2004
Hi Andy
I live in Australia and run in fairly warm weather here. I currently use 15W50 and have no problems.When I had a problem with what type of oil to run I approached my local oil supplier and asked and he came up with a booklet that explained the codes and what brands had these codes. Maybe you could approach someone there.
As far as the fork oil I aggree with Superzebraa I think there is anti foamibng agents in the right oil.
Garbren.
P.S. Will try to find my book and check it out. Will post what I can find.
From: Grafe Sent: 26/04/2004
Andy
Try this for an overview on oils.
www.yft.org/tex_vfr/tech/oil.htm This came from DaftDivi originally.
You probably need a 20/50 or 15/50 oil for your temperatures which are similar to our Australian summer temperatures and I have used both. As far as fork oils go in the olden days we used to use automatic transmission oil. You should be able to get fork oil in the Caribbean from somewhere though.
Fiasco, it might be worth putting this in tech articles or somewhere similar.
Hope this helps,
Grafe