What about them? Are they different? yes. But they are still governed by the
same laws. A synthetic oil is a superior oil though, so it tends to not need
so many additives.
Gerard Chateauvieux wrote:
> Mike, Nolan,
>
> What about synthetics like Castrol's Synthetic Blend SAE 5w-30 or others?
>
> Gerard
>
> At 8:21 PM -0500 2/10/01, Nolan Penney wrote:
> >Many years ago, a special magazine called Motorcycle Consumer News did a
> >study on this
> >claim. Basically, it's a fake claim. DOT has regulations on the amounts
> >of gear
> >additives allowed in motor oil. The "special" motorcycle oils are no
> >higher in Sulfur,
> >Zinc, or the other metal used to lubricate gears then any other motor oil.
> >Instead, they
> >just brag about it, and charge lots more for the bragging.
> >
> >Don't get all caught up in GL-5 issues for a gearbox though. The hypoid
> >gear oils (GL-5)
> >are special. The sliding shear of the differentials ring and pinion gears
> >are brutal to
> >oil, and require special protections, hence the GL-5 recommendation
> >normally given. A
> >transmission on the other hand, doesn't have these severe shear loads, so
> >they don't need
> >GL-5. Many modern gearboxes are capable of running GL-5, making servicing
> >easier; but it
> >isn't necessary.
> >
> >For the most part, a manual transmission will do just fine on motor oil.
> >It will need to
> >be changed regularly, say at 30K miles or so. But as long as the oil
> >changes are done,
> >it will hold up just fine in there.
> >
> >Don't forget, the weights for gear oils and motor oils are on a different
> >scale, so a 90
> >weight gear oil is roughly equivalent to about a 50 weight engine oil.
> >
> >Steven Fooshee wrote:
> >
> >> While I'm on the subject of motorcycle fluids, has anyone given
> >>consideration
> >> to using 20W-50 motorcycle oil for the ribcase? One of the points that
> >>the local
> >> motorcycle shop explained to me that I have to pay $2.50 a quart for
> >>this oil is
> >> that it's specifically formulated for use in gearboxes (bikes share
> >>their oil
> >> Mini-style).
>
> --
> Please visit Four Points Travel -
> Discount Online International Travel Reservations
> http://www.gerardsgarage.com/fourpoints
> To make a reservation please call Toll Free 1-800-272-3253
>
> G G Gerard Chateauvieux
> E A
> R R pixelsmith@gerardsgarage.com
> A A
> R G Pixelsmith on Duty
> D E
> S http://www.gerardsgarage.com
|