Forum

[Pat]

Does anyone knows what kind of motor oil shall I use on my Bullet (500cc, 1995 model)??

Thx Pat

[Hemant]

Hi Pat.. 20/50 oil for the engine ... I use Wilkos cheap oil and chnage more frequently, ( every 1,000 miles ) mind you I don't go long disatances.. 

[Hemant]

spellings.... started too early on the wine ...

[Ian Martin]

Hi Pat. This subject comes up at least twice a year and there are more opinions on it than there on almost any other subject aired. Personally my view is that as long as it is changed frequently and kept topped up to aprox half way up the dip stick all will be well. I base my oil purchases on whats available in the 10/40(winter) or 20/50(summer) range at my local super market. Bullets are low tech engines built with the service and maintenance available in the third world so our choice of UK super market oils should be adequate. Mine is a 1992 500 Bullet with 53,000 miles on it. She still has the origonal piston fitted and burns very little oil. I short shift between the gears and respect speed limits...if I want to go anywhere in a hurry up I take the Valadero.

[Craig]

Hi Pat..


Just to agree with the Others: 20/50 oil..recomended.


My Bikes a 350 Std 98...


 I use Cheap Super Market Oil & Change every 1 to 2 thousand Miles, i use the Bike every day & I dont' panic if I have to top it up with say 15/40 Semi on the motorway or stright 30 at work.. Bikes going strong 30,000 miles On.


Oh Just Changed my Oil to Day..ASDA's (Not as Cheap) 5lt 20/50 for £16.50.


(They allso had semi Syn 05/40 for the same £16.50)


Old Indian Books of wisdom say if stuck use 20/50 every ware ,gearbox (A Bit) forks& Primary... Primary I use AFT but the others I have used (or abused)


Like Ian said Modern  (Basic )Oil is at Least as good as 3rd World or 1940's oil what thease Bikes where Built to use... IMHO


Ride it as Much as you can & Enjoy..... Cheers All : Craig

[Alan R]

Hello Craig ---- I fully agree with all the post's contents BUT }---- "I use straight 30 at work" caught my eye. So where do you work then---or is that not for the public domain ?? Back in the 1970's I worked---- no, that should read "Was employed by----"   (they never actually caught me "working"),   the old GPO Motor Transport Workshops in central Reading, Berkshire, maintaining a fleet of some 200 commercial vehicles including Morris Minor 5 cwt and Ford 105E Anglia vans for both Royal Mail & Post Office Telephones.  We had underground storage bunkers with approx 5,000 gallons each of straight SAE 30 oil. If only I had a time-travel machine-------- ?? 

[Alfie]

I had this question in mind when I signed
on so after reading the replies I went looking for 20w50 oil which would be
readily got hold of, this is my best result: amazon.co.uk













"Comma MOT1G 4.5L Motorway 20W50
Mineral Motor Oil"


Automotive; £13.76


In stock






Delivery Method:




FREE Super Saver Delivery






Items:  




£11.47






Postage & Packing:  




£0.00






 




------






Total before VAT:  




£11.47






VAT:  




£2.29






 




------






Order Total:  




£13.76






 

[simon]

Straight 50 in temperate New Zealand. I found I developed leaks with multigrade detergent oils. That said I agree that it isn't crucial as long as there is oil in it.

[Alan R]

Hi Simon & "Right-on, dude" ------ my initial reaction upon reading Pats queston was "---it's the wet, slippery kind. Worry about the No's. later". Has anyone tried Johnsons Baby Oil ? Not much good in the engine but you get beutiful, smooth skin on your hands !!!!! And for those that can remember this------a couple of spoonfuls of Castrol R in the fuel tank for that aromatic experience from the race track----in through the nose and }---- AHHHHHHH !!!!

[Midge]

I tried some thin fully synthetic once as I had some in the garage and it needed using up but the bike didn't like it. Lots of mechanical noise and blue smoke. I changed it after a few hundred miles, one good thing is that it cleaned everything out nicely like a flushing oil.


The iron engine Enfield is happier with a thicker oil, I have doubts about supermarket oil myself, so use Halfords Classic 20 50 which is green and I guess is the old Duckhams in disquise.


I suppose the ultimate would be semi synthetic 20 50 but the cost would be considerably more, and changing the oil more frequently gets any mayonaise out.