Mixing Oil Makes

Quick question for the mighty org.

I am due an oil and filter change - 7.5k service in 300 miles... Currently I have Fuch Silkolene 10W-40 Semi Synth in the bike and have about 1 - 1.5 ltrs left in the garage.

I have just purchased 5ltrs of Halfrauds 10W-40 part synthetic. Will it be ok to mix them? i.e. use the remaining Silkolene and top up with the Halfrauds stuff.

Also (I could check my manual for this, but it's at home), what additional thing's need doing for the 7.5k service?

Currently I'm thinking: oil, oil filter, air filter, plugs (although the ones in there are perfect, no issues and starts on the button), front pads (got about 1k left in em. Rear done less than 1k ago inc new fluid), front brake fluid, coolant check and top up, head race check and tighten.

Cheers

I don't think there will be a problem with mixing oils, as long as it is of the same type, grade and viscosity it should be fine, but please feel free to correct me on that.

As for the 7.5k service, you might want to do a carb/throttle body balance to make sure they're in sync. Air filter should be fine after a cleaning, unless you've been on a trip round the desert. Also do a check on your wheel bearings and suspension for freeplay.

I always tend to do fluids 'as and when' rather than at specific service intervals.

yeah I was thinking about getting the valve clearances checked and possibly having the cam chain tension/tensioner checked out as well.

[embee]

Mixing different oil brands isn't usually recommended as being ideal, but in practice I've never seen any detrimental results of doing so. People put anything into cars if/when they need topping up, I'm sure some of them end up with strange cocktails. If they're both basically the same spec then should be fine.

If you're happy with the plugs then leave them in, "standard" (i.e. not iridium) plugs should be fine for 20k miles usually unless you give them a really hard time. Air filter also, just a dusting off (vacuum cleaner works well, suck the air out of the dirty side) unless it looks really manky, which it shouldn't at those miles. Save some cash!

Valve clearances highly unlikely to need attention at 7.5k miles, isn't the recommended check interval 15k?

Yup valve clearances at 15-16k interval, although even this can be too soon. On both my SV650 and GSXR-600 they were still well within spec at 16k.

Thanks - was thinking the same re plugs and am on the fence regards air filter.

I did read in another thread that valve clearances should be fine and need to be checked at 15K service. Probably a bit OTT to have those checked if I haven't noticed anything untoward. Probably won't bother changing the plugs either - just give 'em a clean.

Anything I'm completely missing here peep's?

Originally Posted by RichT

Anything I'm completely missing here peep's?

nope, all sounds good. I dont think you need to worry about valve clearances though, they normaly dont need anything done to them even at 30,000 miles, and the first recommended check at 15,000 miles rarely shows up anything that needs replacing. Keeping the spark plugs fresh is a good idea too. You probably wont need to change the air filter, but perhaps clear it with an air-line. Don;t buy one until you have inspected it

Matt

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by Alpinestarhero

they normaly dont need anything done to them even at 30,000 miles, and the first recommended check at 15,000 miles rarely shows up anything that needs replacing.

This is not strictly accurate.

Most I've seen don't need much adjustment at all, whatever mileage. However not so long ago I checked a 60,000 mile engine I've known all it's life and it has never needed anything at all adjusted, but the next one needed six of the eight valves reset on the first check at 15,000.

Thanks for the advice peep's... planning to do the work this weekend.