I have a BSA A10 Goldenflash (1961 originally sold in South Africa) that has been in storage for the last thirty years. Currently putting back together and am nearing the point of seeing if the engine runs, as such I need to drop in some oil.
I have spent hours Googling and reading results for "BSA A10 oil". There is a lot of discussion and debate about brands and weights, etc. But it seems to be frequently stated that 20W-50 for the engine, EP90 for the gearbox and ATF for the primary is ok.
I currently have a bottle of:
Castrol Activ 4T -
http://productsforyou.castrol.com.au/product/Castrol-Activ-4T/73 -
http://www.tds.castrol.com.au/pdf/11100_Activ_4T_460329-AU02_2007_11.pdf - which is 15W-50 designed for motorbikes (newer ones I imagine as I use it in my 2000 Honda XR250R). Is this thick enough and ok to use?
I also have a bottle of Castrol ATF Dex III -
http://productsforyou.castrol.com.au/product/Castrol-ATF-DEX-III/34 -
http://www.tds.castrol.com.au/pdf/10601_Castrol_ATF_Dex_%20III_337 - which I have read is right to use in the primary?
I'm reading that EP90 should be used in the gearbox, but this type of oil doesn't seem very common any more? This sheet from Granville indicates that EPX 80/90 is a replacement for EP 80 and EP90. Has anyone used this in their BSA as a replacement? I have a bottle of Penrite Gear Oil 80W-90 <
http://www.penriteoil.com.au/products.php?id_categ=4&id_products=371 > here already.
But then got a copy of the Haynes BSA A7 & A10 Twins Owners Workshop manual <
http://www.haynes.com/products/productID/333 >. This lists on p. 10 to use Castrol GTX for the Engine, Gearbox and Chaincase (Primary).
Thoughts on using Castrol GTX <
http://productsforyou.castrol.com.au/category/Castrol-GTX/28 > for all? Castrol GTX is cheap and easy to obtain tomorrow morning.
Note: The bike has been in storage in a few key parts for 30 years. The engine hasn't been stripped and rebuilt. It's been kept complete and seems to be ok, so we thought we would lube it up and see if it runs. The bike is not in a rideable condition and won't be for some time still! I just want to put fresh oil in it and try to get the engine running and idling for now!
For reference, the quantities according to Haynes p. 10 are:
Engine - SAE 30 (oil tank capacity 5 1/2 Imp pints)
Gearbox - SAE 50 (capacity 1 Imp pint)
Chaincase - SAE 20 (8 fluid ounces, 225 cc)