oil

[georgej]

I don't have amanual for my '78 R80/7,so can someone tell me which grade oil I should use? I was thinking 20w50,also how much oil does she hold without changinf the filter?

[DennisDarrow]

Several variables over the years as to how much oil, just as there are a lot of thoughts as to oil type and viscosity. I bet if you did a search in this forum you would find many thoughts...........Good Luck..........Dennis

[bobh41]

The Clymer manual R50 through R100 GS PD, 1970 - 1996 specifies:

2.0 liters without the oil cooler; 2.25 with filter (2.0 without a filter change).

With an oil cooler it is 2.75 liters, and 2.5 liters respectively with and without the filter).

The viscosity depends on operating temperature. From page 42 of the manual:

http://www.hal4d.com/images/oilviscosity.jpg

[nealart]

Everybody I know runs the 20W50.

[crazydrummerdude]

Everybody I know runs the 20W50.

+1, it's what all the cool kids are doing.

[rocketman]

The Clymer manual R50 through R100 GS PD, 1970 - 1996 specifies:

2.0 liters without the oil cooler; 2.25 with filter (2.0 without a filter change).

With an oil cooler it is 2.75 liters, and 2.5 liters respectively with and without the filter).

The viscosity depends on operating temperature. From page 42 of the manual:

http://www.hal4d.com/images/oilviscosity.jpg

2 liters ?? Yikes! I've always put in 2 quarts! :laugh


concur, 20w50 for pretty much the whole year, even in winter riding since it never gets That cold for long where I live.
RM

[snoobar]

any brand in particular to look out for?

[20774]

You should pay attention to the oil rating - SG/SH - just about anything that still meets that rating should be fine.

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=17426&

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12563&

[Polarbear]

I have used Castrol20-50w GTX for probably 250000 miles and Valvoline 20-50w m/c specific the last 80000. Yes, 330000 now and running strong. Original valves, timing chain and bearings, all original:). 2nd pistons at 104000 and the 2nd set are still running at full compression guidelines. I'd say these oils are the BEST, bar none:). Randy:thumb

[PGlaves]

If we are listing current favorites - I too ran Castrol 20w50 GTX in my bikes and Voni's bikes for in excess of 1,000,000 miles.

When the amount of anti-wear additives was reduced in the SJ oils and BMW insisted on SG/SH ratings I started looking for alternatives to GTX.

My current favorite is Castrol 4T 4 Stroke Motorcycle Oil - now available at O'Reilly Auto Parts stores and Auto Zone too! I also found it at Walmart for a while - which I have concluded was some test marketing.

Curiously, the stuff I found in Walmart had Canadian packaging but what I have recently purchased at O'Reilly and Auto Zone is in U.S.A. packaging.

[snoobar]

PGlaves & Polarbear, what type of bikes do you have?

[bobh41]

2 liters ?? Yikes! I've always put in 2 quarts!

Me too; at 1.0556 quart per liter I'm satisfied. I can't "read" that much difference on the dipstick (3.6 ounces), probably close to what's left in the oil container if I'm in a hurry.:)

[AnnapolisAirhead]

..snip... Yes, 330000 now and running strong. Original valves, timing chain and bearings, all original:). 2nd pistons at 104000 and the 2nd set are still running at full compression guidelines....snip

330000...damn, you must sleep on the bike. Holy cow! Gotta love these bikes. :drink