Motorcycle.com

Flappz · 04-28-2008, 04:16 AM

Morning everyone;
I recently bought a 1988 Yamaha V-Max in almost mint condition. I have 1 question to ask though.
It is in need of an oil change, and I have never done this before on a bike, I was wondering what type of oil to use?
Im looking for just something conventional something I can just run to AutoZone to get.
I was told 20w-50 and I just wanted to double check.
Thanks
Flappz

seruzawa · 04-28-2008, 04:27 AM

First off you need to get motorcycle specific oil or a suitable replacement. Most automotive oils do not have the additives needed in motorcycles. But you can get oils at Autozone. Mobil1 15-50 or RotellaT 15-40 work well in motorcycles. I've been using both of those for years with good results.

Other people here are going to argue about this and give different recommendations. Ignore them all because they are all wrong.

longride · 04-28-2008, 04:36 AM

Use motorcycle specific oil unless you are using synthetic. If you go with synthetic, you can use Mobil 1 15-50. I think it has a gray cap now. If not, use any brand motorcycle oil available.

sachiwilson · 04-28-2008, 05:01 AM

The reason you use motorcycle-specific oil, by the way, is because the oil is shared by the engine and the transmission. All those gears shred oil molecules, so motorcycle oil is formulated to handle it.

longride · 04-28-2008, 05:08 AM

Sachi is correct, with the exception being Harley-Davidson Big Twin motors, as they do not share motor and trans oil.

seruzawa · 04-28-2008, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longride

Sachi is correct, with the exception being Harley-Davidson Big Twin motors, as they do not share motor and trans oil.

Well, actually they do share. It all drips into the same puddle on the floor.

longride · 04-28-2008, 05:30 AM

Wrong! There are always two seperate puddles!

sarnali2 · 04-28-2008, 05:48 AM

You're all wrong, Mobil 1 MX4T 10W40 is what you want to use in a modern 4 cyl. If you don't want to use full synthetic then do like Seruzawa said and use either Rotella T 15W40 or Chevron Delo 15W40 both are diesel oils and formulated for 100K oil changes on turbo diesels, Sadly Seruzawa is incorrect you can't buy them at Autozone, you have to venture in that Satans pit of capitolist degeneracey "Wal*Mart" to get it....be sure to bath and launder you clothing as soon as possible afterwards to get the stench of moral decay off you.

acecycleins · 04-28-2008, 06:00 AM

The last V-max I owned I used Yamalube 20w50 for the life of the ownership and never had an issue. Opinion on blends- good luck here. I'd hit the Vmax owners sites. Otherwise, I have a suggestion that is completely unrelated- ditch the air adjustable fork inners for a traxxion-dynamics set-up and buy a fork brace. Switch the rear shocks for Works or Penske. If you spend a few dollars on those items you will have a much better behaved motorcycle.

mscuddy · 04-28-2008, 06:34 AM

Git yerself some Pep Boys "Pure as Gold" reclaimed oil. It's been tested tough by the Studebakers and Hudsons they squeezed the stuff out of, and if it's good enough for a Packard Hawk it'll be good enough fer yer VMac Daddy.

04-28-2008, 04:16 AM	#1
Flappz Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1	1988 Yamaha V-Max Morning everyone; I recently bought a 1988 Yamaha V-Max in almost mint condition. I have 1 question to ask though. It is in need of an oil change, and I have never done this before on a bike, I was wondering what type of oil to use? Im looking for just something conventional something I can just run to AutoZone to get. I was told 20w-50 and I just wanted to double check. Thanks Flappz

04-28-2008, 04:27 AM	#2
seruzawa The Toad Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 17,399	Oh goody. An oil thread. First off you need to get motorcycle specific oil or a suitable replacement. Most automotive oils do not have the additives needed in motorcycles. But you can get oils at Autozone. Mobil1 15-50 or RotellaT 15-40 work well in motorcycles. I've been using both of those for years with good results. Other people here are going to argue about this and give different recommendations. Ignore them all because they are all wrong. __________________ http://www.badmovies.org/movies/deadalive/ I kick @ss for the Lord! Last edited by seruzawa : 04-28-2008 at 04:54 AM.

04-28-2008, 04:36 AM	#3
longride Super Duper Mod Man Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Anywhere they let me Posts: 10,484	Use motorcycle specific oil unless you are using synthetic. If you go with synthetic, you can use Mobil 1 15-50. I think it has a gray cap now. If not, use any brand motorcycle oil available. __________________ I'm a knucklehead

04-28-2008, 05:01 AM	#4
sachiwilson Women Riders Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,609	The reason you use motorcycle-specific oil, by the way, is because the oil is shared by the engine and the transmission. All those gears shred oil molecules, so motorcycle oil is formulated to handle it. __________________ Frappé LaRue Safety Queen Are you a Rounder? Sarnali: "what could be more useless than arguing with a deaf female lawyer????"

04-28-2008, 05:08 AM	#5
longride Super Duper Mod Man Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Anywhere they let me Posts: 10,484	Sachi is correct, with the exception being Harley-Davidson Big Twin motors, as they do not share motor and trans oil. __________________ I'm a knucklehead

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04-28-2008, 05:30 AM	#7
longride Super Duper Mod Man Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Anywhere they let me Posts: 10,484	Wrong! There are always two seperate puddles! __________________ I'm a knucklehead

04-28-2008, 05:48 AM	#8
sarnali2 Aging Cafe` Racer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sittin' down by my window, lookin' at the rain. Posts: 8,644	You're all wrong, Mobil 1 MX4T 10W40 is what you want to use in a modern 4 cyl. If you don't want to use full synthetic then do like Seruzawa said and use either Rotella T 15W40 or Chevron Delo 15W40 both are diesel oils and formulated for 100K oil changes on turbo diesels, Sadly Seruzawa is incorrect you can't buy them at Autozone, you have to venture in that Satans pit of capitolist degeneracey "WalMart" to get it....be sure to bath and launder you clothing as soon as possible afterwards to get the stench of moral decay off you. __________________ "Carpe` Throttelum -Loud Suits Save Lives" "Denser alloy. My Father gave it to me, I think he wants me to kill you"... CVF-FCV Last edited by sarnali2 : 04-28-2008 at 05:55 AM.*

04-28-2008, 06:00 AM	#9
acecycleins Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Georgia Posts: 4,129	The last V-max I owned I used Yamalube 20w50 for the life of the ownership and never had an issue. Opinion on blends- good luck here. I'd hit the Vmax owners sites. Otherwise, I have a suggestion that is completely unrelated- ditch the air adjustable fork inners for a traxxion-dynamics set-up and buy a fork brace. Switch the rear shocks for Works or Penske. If you spend a few dollars on those items you will have a much better behaved motorcycle. __________________ "Slack" - a state of being in which everything flows smoothly.....a frame of mind so at ease that the universe naturally cooperates.

04-28-2008, 06:34 AM	#10
mscuddy MODERATOR X Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Next to my still checkin the temp. Posts: 5,447	Git yerself some Pep Boys "Pure as Gold" reclaimed oil. It's been tested tough by the Studebakers and Hudsons they squeezed the stuff out of, and if it's good enough for a Packard Hawk it'll be good enough fer yer VMac Daddy. __________________ A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.