K11 Owners Group

Off the grid · Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 5:37 pm Post subject: Oil.

Anyone ever try Valvoline SYN 20w50 synthetic?

Safe for a K?

BMW brand oil is making me poor. Crying or Very sad

_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

Al. · Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 7:56 pm Post subject: Oil

I've been using Castrol Magnatec - do youi get that there??
I used fully synth but it seemed to use a lot.
Al.

Phil Marvin · Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 9:46 pm Post subject:

Hi,
Al - No, we don't have that Castrol Magnatec here in the USA in normal channels. The normal Castrol is GTX and the synthetic is Syntec.

Off the Grid - I see nothing wrong with the Valvoline. I use Mobil 1 15w50 synthetic (car oil) and have had no problems with it. After all, what is a K1100 engine except a small displacement high performance car engine, with a catalytic convertor? What do Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, etc. specify for motor oil? I'd be surprised if it weren't a 5w40 or maybe 5w50 or 15w50 synthetic, probably NOT an SG, but probably the most recent standard, probably SL or SM.
Ride Safe,
_________________
Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP

Raptor69n · Joined: 16 Jul 2006 Posts: 19 Location: Savannah Ga

Just changed to SYNTEC 5W-50W and AA3614 filter will keep you posted but have used it in other bikes with no problem.
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Ride it like you stole it, and old age can't catch up!!!

Flying Duck · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 7:32 am Post subject:

IMO, the two oils of choice are Mobil 1 15/50 (cheapest at WallyWorld in my neck of the woods) or Castrol GTX 20/50 for dino oil.

K bike guru Don Eilenberger has also cut open and analyzed different types of oil filters and highly recommends using the BMW OEM filter. If you buy one at the dealer, tell them that you just need the filter itself, not the "kit."
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Klinker · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 9:08 am Post subject:

So, for those that need to stable the steed for the winter, when do you change the oil/filter? Before storing? Before the first spring ride? Both?
_________________
tlp
1994 K1100RS

Only the Reasonists. They believe in an evidence-based world, something called Rationalism. But it's a tiny group, not so influential.
- Page Griffin

Flying Duck · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 9:16 am Post subject:

I don't put my bikes up but here's what I would do on the theory that there's no sense letting sludge and yuckiness sit in the bike all winter:

Get some flushing oil. Pour in half a quart and run the bike per the instructions on the can. I think it's five minutes at idle, no revving. (I do this every other oil change or so on my Ks.)

Drain the oil/flush mix.

Put in a new OEM filter and Mobil 1 15/50. Take her for a ride.

You'll be ready to go in the spring and won't need to change oil for another 10k.

Fill the gas tank and add the appropriate amount of Stabil or whatever gas treatment you like.

On my first two tanks of gas in the spring, I would add half a bottle of Techron Concentrate.
I'd wait until spring to bleed the brakes.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

mnb · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:51 pm Post subject:

I know there is some concern with using car oils in bikes due to the cleaning agents in them potentially damaging the clutch plates. Cars don't share oil with the tranny like bikes.

I just switched to synthetic on my last oil change and I noticed my oil has dropped below the sight glass. I almost picked up some Mobil 1 15w50, but it didn't say it was safe for wet clutches or have any mention of motorcycles on it, so I passed until I could be sure.

It was the Mobil 1 with the gold plastic cap. Standard Synthetic 15w50. $6.99 a quart at Kragens.
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M N B
1997 BMW K1100LT ABS Special Edition
2003 Husqvarna TE610e
2007 Harley Davidson Road King
2009 BMW F800GS
2011 Husqvarna TE310
2014 Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak MNB Edition

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:58 pm Post subject:

MNB: Car oil isn't a problem for the K's as they have a dry clutch. Where as your Road King is probably a wet clutch and requires "motorcycle" oil.

I'm considering Mobil 1 15/50 for my K this year.

Ride Safe

Scott

Flying Duck · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:00 pm Post subject:

mnb · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:45 pm Post subject:

Well, geez, thar ya go! Thanks guys.
_________________
M N B
1997 BMW K1100LT ABS Special Edition
2003 Husqvarna TE610e
2007 Harley Davidson Road King
2009 BMW F800GS
2011 Husqvarna TE310
2014 Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak MNB Edition

owrstrich · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:37 am Post subject:

castrol gtx 20 w 50 here for me...

i was told by the oldest bmw dealer in minnesota that bmw 20 w 50 is castrol gtx 20 w 50...

j o
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yeeeeeehaaaaaaa...

Jim · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:51 am Post subject: dealers/stealers

Johnny, Johnny, Johnny... don't you know the dealers will tell you anything to make a sale?
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

owrstrich · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:57 am Post subject:

i have yet to have a positive experience at a bmw dealer...

not even close to 50 50...

minnesota... oregon... idaho... california... not even close to 50 50... pathetic...

but the old german independent k bike wrench in long beach... 100% positive experience...

j o
_________________
yeeeeeehaaaaaaa...

Das Boot · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 1:02 am Post subject:

[quote="owrstrich"]castrol gtx 20 w 50 here for me...

i was told by the oldest bmw dealer in minnesota that bmw 20 w 50 is castrol gtx 20 w 50...

j o[/quote

J O,

I am almost certain its Spectro, not Castrol, but I ll check when I go into work on Thursday.

BTW, I had a fun day off of work today. The power went out yesterday at 1800 hrs and didn't come back on until 2230 the following day!!! The house went down to 45 degrees! I am now in the market for a Honda Generator! Wink

At least I no where I can get one for a deal Laughing

_________________
Dom

Flying Duck · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 1:04 am Post subject:

My dealer used to have a parts guy who had been there a while. He actually knew classic K bikes pretty darned well. One day when I was getting some parts he could tell I was doing all of the fuilds so he asked me what kind of oil I was using. I said "Mobil 1." He looked around to make sure there wasn't a manager in sight and said "Good, keep uisng it." He hasn't been there for a couple of years. I miss him.

The younger guys there now are pretty good with me. I come in with part numbers or walk them through the parts diagrams to find what I need. They treat me well because I do their job for them. Rolling Eyes

_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

owrstrich · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 1:15 am Post subject:

dosent husqvarna make generators too...

oops... wrong thread...

Laughing

j o
_________________
yeeeeeehaaaaaaa...

drmalacarne · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 8:55 am Post subject:

Here I use Castrol 20w50 mineral oil in my KLT, with changes every 5000km.
Am I in a dangerous way? Sould I change to syntetic?
Guilherme.
_________________
1994 K1100LT SE n° 0267
1998 HD Heritage Springer 95th anniversary
Yes, a Hog and a Beemer can live together!

Flying Duck · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 9:10 am Post subject:

Daniël V · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 12:00 pm Post subject: