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motorbike oil
Miks15 - 8/1/10 at 11:04 AM

My bike has a problem with getting oil to the cams (zxr400). Apparently this is common with all zxr400's.

The bike should take 10W-40 oil, buit i was wondering whether it would be worth using 10w-30 or something to help with the oil flow to the cams? What do you all think?

Also does anyone know whether i need synthetic/ semi synthetic or what?

Thanks

Mikkel

MikeCapon - 8/1/10 at 11:14 AM

I'm not aware of this problem on the ZXR400? I would not change the viscosity or you're likely to invite other (worse?) nasties.

Use a good quality synthetic motorcycle oil such as Silkolene Pro 4. The quality and spec of the oil are the critical issues. Oh, and change it as specified (time/miles). Warm the bike up correctly and all should be well.

Cheers,
Mike

Mr Whippy - 8/1/10 at 11:39 AM

don't like that idea at all tbh

I'd look up the forums and see if there's any fixes for the problem and what exactly is the cause, then work from there.

Miks15 - 8/1/10 at 11:41 AM

ok cheers guys,

I know someone who works in a bike shop and they say there is quite often a problem with oil feed to the exhaust cam, mine were a bit chewed up which is why i had the cams remachined. Just about to put it back together now but ill go with the standard 10W-40

Cheers

big-vee-twin - 8/1/10 at 12:00 PM

I had a Yamaha SR500 bike from the 70's with the same problem ( it was 21 years old when I had it) I treated the engine with Slick 50 and never had another problem after that

Mr Whippy - 8/1/10 at 12:57 PM

quote:
Originally posted by big-vee-twin
I had a Yamaha SR500 bike from the 70's with the same problem ( it was 21 years old when I had it) I treated the engine with Slick 50 and never had another problem after that


I've treated my bluebird with slick 50, too few miles on it so far to tell if it’s doing anything though the oil is keeping very clean, perhaps more than normal. Dead easy to do.

But I don’t think it is possible to use it on a bike with a wet clutch, sure I read that on the tin.

big-vee-twin - 8/1/10 at 02:40 PM

My bike had a wet clutch, from memory they make a bike version of slick 50 specially formulated.

Thought so here link

[Edited on 8/1/10 by big-vee-twin]

MakeEverything - 8/1/10 at 03:12 PM

I put synthetic in my GSXR600 SRAD when i had it. The clutch slipped like a bastard, and it took a change of all the plates twice to realise that id changed the oil as well. At £8 a plate though, that wasnt too sad.

Keep to the manufacturers recommended oil. They will specify mineral or synthetic as well as the viscosity. Going with anything else, could (As above) cause some more issues.

Solve the problem, not the symptom. I must admit, ive not heard of any ZXR4 oil problems before??