Thread: synthetic oil?
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Old 29-03-05, 10:58 PM   #7
embee
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I've been in engine design/development for over 25yrs, and I agree with jakeblues68's comments. Not come across the use of any "special" running-in oils in commercially produced engines.

As others have said, the primary advantages of fully synthetic oils is the high temperature stability and the potential for longer service intervals (the 2 things are connected in some respects).

The SV doesn't "need" these qualities, especially if you are of a mind like most owners to treat the bike to pretty frequent oil/filter changes.

Also as said earlier the test standard specifically for wet-clutches is JASO-MA. Although owners have used certain non "bike specific" oils (e.g. someone used semi-synth oil from Vauxhall/GM dealers I seem to recall), if you want peace of mind, stick to a JASO-MA approved oil.

Also DO NOT use aftermarket additives in the oil. Most of them contain only the same stuff that the oil companies put in as a balanced additive pack to provide the appropriate wear/corrosion/degradation protection. Some can also promote skidding in ball/roller bearings (as in the gearbox). Just use a well known brand oil, it does the job.

Semi-synthetic technology does offer advantages over straight mineral oil in that it achieves some of the stability properties from the fundamental molecule structure rather than relying on additives to the same extent.

Semi-synthetic 10W-40 bike oil to JASO-MA, you won't go far wrong.

I use synthetic Mobil1 in my car for the service interval (it costs little over half UK price in French supermarkets!)

Break-in is an often discussed topic!

There are different views, but FWIW here's the industry approach.
It's a controlled wear process, mainly for the bores+rings to achieve the optimum surface condition for oil consumption, blowby, and maximum service life.
Sliding speed is the most important parameter, and load (= throttle opening) is second.
For the first hour or 2 (say 100mls), keep the engine speed to the recommended range.
Then gradually use greater throttle openings briefly while keeping revs controlled.
Progressively increase the rev range you use at small throttle opening, while using more throttle at lower revs. Gradually work your way up the rev/load range.
By first service (600mls, around 10-15hrs), you should be using generous amounts of throttle through the gears, and ideally up to say 3/4 max revs.
After that you'll not do any harm to the engine, indeed you really need to use big throttle openings and take it up to high revs regularly in order to achieve a full break-in.
In industry a full development engine break-in would be at most 10hrs, and at the end it would be held at max power for 30mins typically.
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