Paging Rotella T guru's

[oldbikerdude]

I swear by the Rotella T4, 15W40.
Note to remember, as previously mentioned, it is JASO MA approved oil.
Been running it in my 86 Goldwing for at least 10 years, and will use it in the CBX as well.
The 10 liter jugs are a good deal at our local TSC stores.
Bike is now ready to go.
Couldn't help myself today, had to pull the bike outside and get a pic, didn't run it though.

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[Larry Zimmer]

Ditto! It's the only JASO MA2 approved available besides the liquid gold that they call motorcycle oil. (That I know of)

[CBX-tras]

I'm not trying to start another oil thread but, I hate to break everybodies bubble.

I learned this past Summer that Shell has removed the zinc additives in Rotella T. Look it up.

To me, there was nothing better for our bikes.

After a great deal of research, I've found and recommend Maxima Racing Semi-Syn. Has 2x the zinc.

This will satisfy the folks that like synthetics while protecting the components that want/need the zinc (cams, starter clutch, drive clutch, etc).

See here:
https://maximausa.com/series-300-semi-syn.html

[JoeInTUS]

Thanks for that info on Rotella zinc content. As a long-time user of Rotella I looked into it further.

According to the Safety Data Sheets on the Shell website:

Rotella T6 15W-40, SDS dated 07/24/2018: No ZDDP

Rotella T6 5W-40, SDS dated 04/07/2020: No ZDDP

Rotella T Triple Protection 15W-40, SDS dated 01/11/2016: 1-2.4% ZDDP (closer to 1% based on the oil analysis I could find)

and for comparison:

Maxima Semi-Syn 10W-40/20W-50, SDS dated 01/28/2020: < 3% ZDDP

So it looks like Shell removed the ZDDP from the synthetics but kept it in the conventional oil (or they have not updated the SDS).

[CBX-tras]

From what my machine shop knows, they removed the zinc in 2018 or early 2019.

They learned the hard way. Passing this along so we don't too.

If you find something better, I'm all ears.

[Jeff Bennetts]

Anyone needing some ZDDP, Summit Racing has many brands to choose from. You used to be able to buy 4 ounces for $5.00, enough to treat an oil change but it’s gone up 150% since then.

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[CBX-tras]

Anyone needing some ZDDP, Summit Racing has many brands to choose from. You used to be able to buy 4 ounces for $5.00, enough to treat an oil change but it’s gone up 150% since then.

F51426B6-8AE0-48CC-8EBE-8AC75E6F8345.jpeg

Jeff, good to know. After looking at their site, I'm considering trying this. Need some anyway for my flat tappet 455 Olds.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-1-10w40

[shiskowd]

I'm not trying to start another oil thread but, I hate to break everybodies bubble.

I learned this past Summer that Shell has removed the zinc additives in Rotella T. Look it up.

To me, there was nothing better for our bikes.

After a great deal of research, I've found and recommend Maxima Racing Semi-Syn. Has 2x the zinc.

This will satisfy the folks that like synthetics while protecting the components that want/need the zinc (cams, starter clutch, drive clutch, etc).

See here:
https://maximausa.com/series-300-semi-syn.html

In Canada, of course, we need to change the name slightly - wondering if it has the same composition. The description is similar, both ester based.

Maxima.JPG

[hondaman160mph]

What's the ZDDP content in Honda GN4 10/40 oil?

[CBX-tras]

As far as I know.....NONE.

[hondaman160mph]

The ZDDP content of Honda GN4 10w40 oil is hard information to find, or at least I haven't found it. One source says 1053ppm.
You would like to think that oil from the worlds largest motorcycle manufacturer would be acceptable to use in their motorcycles, maybe it isn't.
On a very unscientific note, in 1974 I installed a Ferracci cam in my cb750. The cam has so much lift I had to grind
reliefs in the head to allow the
cam to rotate. 47 years later after tens of thousands of miles it's still running strong on Honda GN4 10w40 oil changed about every 1500 miles
ZDDP 4 oz. bottle is available here also for $16.14 https://coilsandoil.com/collections/oil ... lus-single

[CBX-tras]

When I bought my first CBX about 30 years ago, I took it to the local dealer for a valve adjustment (I knew it needed to be done, just didn't have the tools or experience. Felt it's better left to the experts). They're response was that they didn't work on the old "shit". That statement launched my CBX career.

The main reason Shell and others removed the zinc from their formulation was/is emissions, now that most every internal combustion vehicle has some sort of catalytic converter and zinc deposits would ruin them.
I sincerely doubt that Honda has ANY zinc in their oil since they're required by law to have clean burning motors. Most with EFI and cats, sprag drive starter clutches, roller rockers and have eliminated things within the motor that NEEDS the zinc to function, long term. So, they don't need no stink'in zinc.

Moral of my story: Things change, fuels, oils, tire compounds, etc. Where things are (and how) made. Even the wheat in your breakfast cereal or bread isn't the same as in the '60s. Things change and we have to adapt to keep going in the direction we want to.

[Jeff Bennetts]

Things change and we have to adapt to keep going in the direction we want to.

+1

[EMS]

When I bought my Porsche 914-6GT two years ago, I started using "Kendall" oil because the PO told me that's what he had been using in the car.
They have a product that is called Kendall 4T Synth MA, which is a "small engine" i.e.: motorcycle oil. It is specified at 1250ppm zinc.
Since Mobil1 20W50 is no longer available, this is what I have been using in my vintage bikes. Although it is a synthetic, there are still no leaks and the clutch doesn't slip either.

[hondaman160mph]

Lucas motorcycle oil zinc values. $10.00 a quart for 10w40 from Dennis Kirk

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