The BSA A7-A10 Forum

Technical (Descriptive Topic Titles - Stay on Topic) => A7 & A10 Engine => Topic started by: a10 gf on 14.11. 2006 16:21

Title: What? No oil discussion yet...
Post by: a10 gf on 14.11. 2006 16:21
Any forum about british bikes has some endless oil topics, SO... I'l try starting it now, information about your favorite SAE philosophy is welcome.

In my plunger A10, I have tried most stuff, but always went back to mono 50 or 40 summer, 30 or 40 winter, 40 in gearbox. Multigrade seemed to disappear too quickly, either on the ground, or trough combustion. Better with 20W50, but still some oil consumption. With monograde leaks are next to zero, and oil consumption is very low. If I get it right, only practical advantage of multigrade is at startup with cold engine, so I always allow some warm up riding before putting any real load on the engine.

Regards
E.
Title: Re: What? No oil discussion yet...
Post by: BrianDallasTX on 14.11. 2006 23:24
I run straight 40 all around.  As far as cold weather starts, I usually smoke a cig. and let the bike warm up.  I got into that habit with my VW (air cooled as well).  I always open the tank to make sure that oil is returning before leaving the house.  My basic philosophy is " If it ain't leaking you'd better check the oil level!"
Title: Re: What? No oil discussion yet...
Post by: LJ. on 15.11. 2006 08:51

The idea of a filter and 20/50 multigrade makes such alot of sense, I did go down this route on experts advice. However I found that my bike just did not like this, it blew most of the oil out of the breather. We found that the turbulence was placing much of the oily mist on the back of my wifes very nice sheepskin jacket and I was forever cleaning up the rear wheel rims. So I am back to straight 40 all year round as well and the bike runs very happily for this. I do like to use the Castrol xxl40 as it does give a nice smell, it is not the proper 'r' oil but there is something nice about it. I buy a 25 litre drum at a time, and aim to change the oil every 1,500 miles. Works for me!
Title: Re: What? No oil discussion yet...
Post by: a10 gf on 15.11. 2006 11:35

The idea of a filter and 20/50 multigrade makes such alot of sense, I did go down this route on experts advice. However I found that my bike just did not like this, it blew most of the oil out of the breather.

This was interesting info, have a filter ready to fit, never tought about increased crankcase pressure.

Thanks
E.
"love the smell of burned oil in the morning"
Title: Re: What? No oil discussion yet...
Post by: bsa-bill on 15.11. 2006 12:54
I have a filter fitted and run 20/50, no problems, I have also run with straight 40 ( Chatsworth ) can't say there was any benefit or otherwise.
I would think if oil is being blown out of the engine breather, there is a problem to be investigated, rings, rebore, breather cork or maybe even the breather itself.
I know one A10 owner who reckons there is at least three versions of the top hat breather, all with the hole in different places, why?

Also I was a bit dubious about back pressure created by a filter until I tested. no effort at all is required to blow through the filter even with my old lungs,this is with the CV filter

All the best - Bill

Title: Re: What? No oil discussion yet...
Post by: LJ. on 15.11. 2006 21:20

Perhaps I was too hasty to blame the poor old filter, I had thought that it may have been too fine a paper element causing a partial blockage on the return. However as you, Bill, mention that there could be problems with the breather, is it possible to fix the breather from the timing side rather than a full strip down? If there is alot of work and expense involved then I'd best leave it as it is. As they say "If it aint broke then dont fix"  :)
Title: Re: What? No oil discussion yet...
Post by: 1KCBC on 16.11. 2006 06:53
I always use 20w50 but when I rode while rainy,my engine was run better.Ambience temperature in my country about 28-32 celsius.
Should me change the oil to higher number?

Thanks.
Jaran
Title: Re: What? No oil discussion yet...
Post by: fido on 16.11. 2006 07:56
The filter should not cause a lot of resistance. It has a bypass valve to allow oil to flow if it gets blocked. For this reason, running with an old choked filter is the same as running with no filter.
Title: Re: What? No oil discussion yet...
Post by: jfligg on 16.11. 2006 08:54
Hi Guys
  I always use a straight 50 oil.  The one I use is a Heavey Duty Diesel oil.  I found that when I used a multi grade 20w50 oil the bike seemed to run  hotter and there was alot of froth out of the oil cap vent.  I have recently foung that there is a big difference between motorcycle and car oils.  The motorcycles have a ZDDP content.  This has to do with the levels of zinc and phosphous in the oil.   I am told they adhere to cams, tappets,  lifters better.  I am still on the search for a true straight 50 motorcycle oil in Canada.  Then again I know a guy who swears by full syth oils, and he runs a Norton Atlas.  So the debate continues.  Jeff
Title: Re: What? No oil discussion yet...
Post by: bsa-bill on 16.11. 2006 10:47
the cork seal on the breather can be replaced with out full tear down but you will need to remove the outer and inner timing case cover this will involve removing the dynamo chain sprocket.
Breather corks come in four sizes you need to get a set first, you fit the thickest that will go in.
not a big job really

on the oil thing I do believe Duckhams 20/50 was developed for use in motercyles

All the best - Bill
Title: Re: What? No oil discussion yet...
Post by: fido on 16.11. 2006 14:14
If using diesel oil you would need a filter as it has a high detergent content and will clean out any sludge and circulate it round your bearings etc. Personally I would not risk it even with a filter. I also use Duckams 20/50.
Title: Re: What? No oil discussion yet...
Post by: a10 gf on 16.11. 2006 14:49
I always use 20w50 but when I rode while rainy,my engine was run better.Ambience temperature in my country about 28-32 celsius. Should me change the oil to higher number?

Thanks.
Jaran

Hi, looks like you live in the ideal climate for w50! You can safely try it and see if engine runs better when not water-(rain-)cooled.

I use Pennzoil HD http://www.pennzoil.com/products/motor_oil/hd_oil.html (http://www.pennzoil.com/products/motor_oil/hd_oil.html) , not expensive (can change oil often without feeling I waste money), and easily available (here).

Regards
E.
Title: Re: What? No oil discussion yet...
Post by: BrianDallasTX on 17.11. 2006 17:07
I try to change every 500-1000 miles as oil is cheap.  I am a firm believer that any oil is better than no oil. ;D

I use Castrol HD.  I know it is "car oil" but I have never had an issue.  Besides you can get it anywhere.  I have found that if the level looks a bit low and I add a 1/2 qt. that the breather(?) spits it on the ground, and the rest of time there are no leaks, except off the rear of the fully enclosed chainguard.

Title: Re: What? No oil discussion yet...
Post by: a10 gf on 25.12. 2007 13:08
for the investigative and curious, lot's of reading for xmas  *smile*

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/
Title: Re: What? No oil discussion yet...
Post by: old PJ on 25.12. 2007 14:55
Any forum about british bikes has some endless oil topics, SO... I'l try starting it now, information about your favorite SAE philosophy is welcome.

In my plunger A10, I have tried most stuff, but always went back to mono 50 or 40 summer, 30 or 40 winter, 40 in gearbox. Multigrade seemed to disappear too quickly, either on the ground, or trough combustion. Better with 20W50, but still some oil consumption. With monograde leaks are next to zero, and oil consumption is very low. If I get it right, only practical advantage of multigrade is at startup with cold engine, so I always allow some warm up riding before putting any real load on the engine.

Regards
E.
I have found that the Harley Davidson oil 20/50 is very good in my A10 it has been specifically made for shell and roller bearing engines and it has an additive that keeps things nice and clean and its got a very high specification. Been in my swing arm  A10 - 1961 for 12 years and its still going well with no problems at all  and i might try it in my plunger A10 - 1954.  Harley Davidson do a good gearbox primery oil and i will be trying that next   . My mate has a A65 that he is rebuilding and thats getting harley oil  as he has found the same as me its good oil .
Title: Re: What? No oil discussion yet...
Post by: groily on 25.12. 2007 21:39
I'm sure it's good oil old PJ, and probably better than most monogrades. Had multigrades existed when our bikes were built, quid to a pinch of **** it would have been recommended. Yes, it's runnier when cold, and there is the risk of slightly more leakage. However, for 30 years I've been using any branded 20/50 in all bikes with shell big ends. If I had a single with a roller big end I might go the mono route. I also use 20/50 in a pre-war car with white metal mains and ends and have for nearly 20 years. You WANT the oil to be thin when cold on start up so it flows . . . The only time I wouldn't would be if a motor had been run on mono for ages and hadn't been stripped and cleaned, for fear that the detergent elements in the multigrade might dislodge muck in the oilways. I think, personally, we are too often blinded by myth and less susceptible than we should be to reason. A decent multigrade can easily cope with roller and ball bearings and bushings too - heck, it was recommended lube for many a gearbox for years - and so I'm sticking with it. Far cheaper too when it comes to the regular changes we tend to go for - 1000-1500 miles is pretty much par for the course.
Finally, in some more recent cars (1960s) in my tatty pile of stuff that runs, I run them in on 20/50 and then switch to  semi-synthetic Castrol 10/60 from Castrol Classic Oils - pricey - but I only change it thereafter at 5000 miles, as the stuff doesn't degrade like non-synthetic oils owing to the long-chain polymers and all that - so it ends up cheaper. A chap I know who used to be head chemist at one of the big oil companies told me that an oil like the 10/60 would be in a better state after 5000 miles than any non-synthetic after 1000. I believe him, and so far so good! Groily
Title: Re: What? No oil discussion yet...
Post by: Pim on 29.12. 2007 13:02
Hello,

Great info! very usefull, there is one thing though. can some one tell me what this 'breather' is everyone is talking about? and can anyone confirm that the little outlet in the top of my oiltank is a pressure relief outlet? that's what seems most logical:) but i'm not sure.

sorry for all the questions and little input, i'm trying to learn as much about anything so this won't be the last one:)
Thank you! Pim.
Title: Re: What? No oil discussion yet...
Post by: RichardL on 29.12. 2007 15:13
Pim,

I want to respond to the breather question, but I will do it at:

http://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?topic=364.0

This is a long thread on that topic. My response is currently at, or near, the end of page 2.

Richard