Author Topic: Can I use 20W 50???  (Read 6443 times)

Offline Matt L

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Can I use 20W 50???
« on: January 20, 2012, 05:57:57 AM »
At the risk of starting an oil thread; here it goes...

There was a sale on Royal Purple SAE 20W 50...so, on a whim, I bought 4 quarts.  Then I got home and realized 20W 50 isn't the preferred weight.  Can I use without issues?  I have a 1986 with 34K.  Engine is in very good shape.

Thanks!!!

Matt

Offline SteveJ.

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Re: Can I use 20W 50???
« Reply #1 on: January 20, 2012, 06:00:55 AM »
Save it for summer, assuming you don't live in AK or northern Canada.
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Offline Mettler1

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Re: Can I use 20W 50???
« Reply #2 on: January 20, 2012, 06:59:32 AM »
Save it for summer, assuming you don't live in AK or northern Canada.

  Same here.
'94 Concours 112,000 miles-- 7th gear,2MM,KB fork brace,Over flowtubes,Stick coils,Tcro shifter,GPS,Torque cams,SPOOKFAK,block off plates, SS brake & clutch lines,KB risers, FENDA EXTENDA, emulators,etc

Offline T Cro ®

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Re: Can I use 20W 50???
« Reply #3 on: January 20, 2012, 11:43:20 AM »
I run 15W50 full synthetic year round but of course I can't ride this time of year; 20W50 is fine for summer time riding and is listed as an acceptable alternative according to the Owner's Manual.
Tony P. Crochet
(SOLD) 01 Concours Winner of COG Most Modified in 2010

Offline roadrunner322

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Re: Can I use 20W 50???
« Reply #4 on: January 20, 2012, 05:06:00 PM »
I think Royal Purple is a real synthetic oil that has a very low pour point meaning that it flows in low temperatures where conventional oils will have the consistency of molasses.  So, I say use it year round.

You might want to confirm the low pour point. 

I know that almost all car "synthetic" oils are Group III conventional oils that do not have the low pour point.  Amsoil is the exception.  Don't know about motorcycle oils.
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Offline jim snyder

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Re: Can I use 20W 50???
« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2012, 06:26:39 AM »
Matt,
     I have used Royal Purple 15/40 "car" synthetic in my Connie since she was new in 2002 with no issues. And the other poster was correct, synthetic has a much better pour rate in cold weather than conventional oil. If you are not riding in sub freezing temps you should be fine. Heck I ran Castrol GTX 20/50 for many years in many of my bikes in all types of weather conditions with no problems.
 
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Offline roadrunner322

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Re: Can I use 20W 50???
« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2012, 05:11:18 PM »
Car oil these days is missing ingredients like zinc that protect cams.  I've read several places that if you rebuild one of the older car engines that does not have roller lifters and break it in on car oil without a zinc additive, the cam will be ruined.  I don't think car oil should be used in motorcycles any more especially since our Concours engines have a bad rep on cam pitting.  Use bike oil.  My smelly opinion!
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Offline T Cro ®

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Re: Can I use 20W 50???
« Reply #7 on: January 22, 2012, 05:44:33 PM »
Opinions vary but results don't...... There has yet to be any definitive and conclusive evidence that the use of a "properly" suited automotive motor oil in a motorcycle engine has any detrimental results.
Tony P. Crochet
(SOLD) 01 Concours Winner of COG Most Modified in 2010

Offline midnightrider

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Re: Can I use 20W 50???
« Reply #8 on: January 23, 2012, 07:13:50 AM »
I started using Kendall 20w-50 Racing this past summer. It has extra zinc for flat tappet engines and meets api sm. And its only $4.00 a qt. at O'Rieley's. Worked real well. I change oil every 5000 miles and can usually tell by the shifting when I'm close to a change. But the Kendall was still shifting good.
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Offline Cholla

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Re: Can I use 20W 50???
« Reply #9 on: January 23, 2012, 09:18:33 AM »
Royal Purple makes Group III, IV and V oils. Their GV oils (offroad use only) have had their zinc content reduced in fear of lawsuits arising from people using it in their autos and ruining catcons.
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Offline timsatx

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Re: Can I use 20W 50???
« Reply #10 on: January 23, 2012, 09:40:31 PM »
Thru 3 motorcycle I have only ever used car oil. Never had any problem with my bikes.

Offline Strawboss

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Re: Can I use 20W 50???
« Reply #11 on: January 30, 2012, 02:19:57 PM »
I used oil once.
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Offline connie_rider

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Re: Can I use 20W 50???
« Reply #12 on: January 30, 2012, 02:41:38 PM »
I talked to the Lube Engineers here at Shell, plus others from other Companies, plus I talked to Kawasaki.
All said that Diesel Truck Oil was good to use because of the Zinc and lack of Friction Modifiers..

I've been running Rotella T for many years. No problems.
Many in the club use the Synthetic Rotella. Again, no problems....

In my case, I plan to move to the Rotella Semi Sythetic and give it a try.
No particular reason other than I like the 10W40 rather than the 20W50, and wanted to give the Semi a try.


Ride safe, Ted

Offline GeeBeav

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Re: Can I use 20W 50???
« Reply #13 on: January 30, 2012, 06:28:29 PM »
I used oil once.

I've used it twice . . .
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Offline Nosmo

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Re: Can I use 20W 50???
« Reply #14 on: January 30, 2012, 07:03:04 PM »
At the risk of starting an oil thread; here it goes...


It always becomes an oil thread............ ;)  +1 on the Rotella.
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Offline Mettler1

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Re: Can I use 20W 50???
« Reply #15 on: January 30, 2012, 10:32:39 PM »
It always becomes an oil thread............ ;)  +1 on the Rotella.

  Same here.
'94 Concours 112,000 miles-- 7th gear,2MM,KB fork brace,Over flowtubes,Stick coils,Tcro shifter,GPS,Torque cams,SPOOKFAK,block off plates, SS brake & clutch lines,KB risers, FENDA EXTENDA, emulators,etc

Offline Cholla

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Re: Can I use 20W 50???
« Reply #16 on: January 31, 2012, 08:55:40 AM »
Never seen Rotella semi syn. Have only seen dino 30 and 15-40 and syn 5-40. Use it in all my vehicles.
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Offline connie_rider

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Re: Can I use 20W 50???
« Reply #17 on: January 31, 2012, 08:58:05 AM »
Never seen Rotella semi syn. Have only seen dino 30 and 15-40 and syn 5-40. Use it in all my vehicles.

I bought some the other day at Walmart.
Just to check that I didn't mess up, Mebbe I'd better double check the Jug.
I'll post again tomorrow.

Ride safe, Ted

Offline midnightrider

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Re: Can I use 20W 50???
« Reply #18 on: January 31, 2012, 11:26:01 AM »
Shell is doing semi synth Rotella in some weights.
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Offline kreaky

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