Spectro Golden clarification please

[clouseau]

Ever since I switched to BMW 20W50 oil, my rear main seal started leaking.
I have found on the forum that leaking was abated by using Spectro Golden 20W50 but I just wanted to be sure that it is this one:
http://www.bobscycle.com/browse.cfm/4,13555.html
I don't know what the previous owner had in there so...
Thanks!

[Bob_Roller]

BMW 20W50 is made by Spectro Oil, I believe it is a blend of synthetic and 'dino', just not as much synthetic as the Spectro Golden .

You could try an oil change, and see what happens, worse case scenario, is that it may not help the problem, and you will have to replace the rear main seal anyway .

[weasel01]

I had leaks with synthetic changed to dino and she's tight as a drum.

[clouseau]

I was afraid of that.  
My suspicions are confirmed about the previous owner putting in an oil that masked the leaks.  I would rather be running good oil over covering something up.  

[Bengt_Phorqs]

There is nothing wrong with dino oil as a lubricant.  The molecules in synthetic are of a much more uniform size.  Moreover the synthetic lube may have a different reaction to the sealing material used.  While I've not seen a study I would imagine that replacing all of the seals and gaskets in an engine that has never had anything except dino oil would eliminate the leaking problem.

The rotating equipment engineers I've known have always recommended consistency with weights and brands when performing maintenance on a specific engine.  In other words, "dance with who brung you".

[weasel01]

I was afraid of that.  
My suspicions are confirmed about the previous owner putting in an oil that masked the leaks.  I would rather be running good oil over covering something up.  

Personally I see dino as the good oil compared to synthetic in a machine that was designed well before synthetics were available...

[Bob_Roller]

Now comes the dreaded question .

What non-synthetic oil should be used in the bike

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Good question Bob and we all have our favorites.  I'm not endorsing this reference manual, http://www.motoroilbible.com/, but I did find some interesting and useful information in it.  It behooves each of us to do our own research and reach an informed opinion.

I think synthetic oils are probably good for high performance racing engines, but for an engine designed in the 70's and 80's, dino oil works just fine for me.

[suecanada]

  [smiley=lurker.gif] [smiley=lurker.gif] [smiley=lurker.gif] [smiley=lurker.gif]

I am waiting. The SG rating seems impt. to Matt Parkhouse of the BMW Owners News.

I can't make up my mind! What do you say fellows? Nhmaf..what oil do you use???

[Bob_Roller]

The only thing I've seen emphasized, is don't use any oil that has the energy conserving symbol on the container, in a motorcycle engine .

I guess it's the reduced levels of anti - wear additives that were higher in motor oils when our bikes were engineered in the late '70's to early '80's .

[Bengt_Phorqs]

I'm partial to Castrol GTX 20W50.  Been using it for years in cars and motorcycles and have never had a bearing failure or valve issue.  It works for me (might not for you) so I'm not going to mess with success.  Just picked up another 8 quarts at Wally World last night.  Where's me filter wrench???   [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]

[weasel01]

Since I like the Castrol logo the best thats what I've been using.

Motorcycle specific SG rated 20W50 4T.

[Bob_Roller]

Ampy, where did you find that oil ?

I've been contemplating returning to 'regular' oil on the R65, as around $8 a quart for BMW 20w50 is getting a bit high in my opinion .

[montmil]

I guess it's the reduced levels of anti - wear additives that were higher in motor oils when our bikes were engineered in the late '70's to early '80's .

Just add some STP and reduce the 20W50 by a like amount. Why" STP has the sought after ZDDP zinc additive -missing in new motor oils- that really helps Airhead cams and lifters.

Monte

[weasel01]

Ampy, where did you find that oil ?

I've been contemplating returning to 'regular' oil on the R65, as around $8 a quart for BMW 20w50 is getting a bit high in my opinion .

They stock it at Oreiley's Auto Parts....It's not in the car oil section, they stock it over with the boat oils it has a little motorcycle on the label.

It seems like I paid about half what your paying paying now.