NOT Another Oil Thread

[Dan1950]

I checked out the oil charts on tech info.

I'm looking for the best protection with the emphasis on an oil that is readily available.

This is for a stock 850 MK II.

Initially I was considering Castrol GTX 20W50 conventional which ranked near the top for "stage 2 Commandos" It has a good (for a stock Commando) load capacity at 257 but the heat from friction was a bit high at 7.7.

The Local NAPA stocks Royal Purple HPS 20W50 which has a load capacity of 457 with a low heat from friction value of 0.44. Seems like a good choice to me.

I know there will be other products that will give just as adequate or even better protection, but I want something that can be purchased at various localities. In addition to my area in Northern NY state, I have searched NAPA stores in the Butler, PA area as well as Southern Indiana and all have have same day pick up options for Royal Purple HPS 20W50.


Does anyone have experience with this product?

 

[ILLF8ED]

I was told modern car oils have reduced zinc such as the latest Cartrol GTX. Look for oils that specifically list more zinc. Everyone on this forum has their favorite. Mine is Redline synthetic 20w50 motorcycle, but is pricy at $19 per quart.

 

[Dan1950]

I was told modern car oils have reduced zinc such as the latest Cartrol GTX. Look for oils that specifically list more zinc. Everyone on this forum has their favorite. Mine is Redline synthetic 20w50 motorcycle, but is pricy at $19 per quart.

Royal Purple HPS 20W50 has a zinc additive.

5.0 out of 5 stars Heres what Royal Purple tech says.
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2017
Style: 5W-30Size: 1 Quart, Case of 6Verified Purchase
Thank you for contacting us. Using the HPS engine oils will not harm catalytic converters or other emissions equipment (ex. O2 sensors, etc.) when used in a mechanically sound engine. Assuming that your engine is not consuming an excessive amount of engine oil, there is no risk of premature degradation of the catalytic converter. The anti-wear additive used in Royal Purple oils is a high quality, high retention, low volatility version of the ZDDP zinc and phosphorous anti-wear additive. This version of the ZDDP additive does not vaporize easily at all, so it stays in the oil doing its job, protecting the engine.

 

[Mark Savage]

...aaaaarrrrrgggghhhhh!

 

[gforce]

Jim Comstock's tests showed Royal Purple in an excellent light.
That would be my choice for that reason alone.

Soft like butter camshafts and delicate cam followers leaves me wanting the very best oil for temp and load that I can get my hands on.

 

[SteveA]

Oh yes it is! (Another oil thread that is)

Use the guidance, make your choice, delete the thread quick...

 

[baz]

I'm sorry but without an oil thread or a single versus dual carb,anti drain valve ,tightens it's line,drum brakes etc etc thread life would not be worth living!!!!
Please continue

 

[EstuaryBoy]

It all depends upon your choice of electronic ignition/aftermarket starter/clutch plates/tank sealant, etc. et al. ad nauseum, ad infinitum, add what you will.... Probably!

 

[concours]

https://klotzlube.com/shop/ols/products/american-v-twin-multi-viscosity-synthetic-engine-lubricant

 

[Tornado]

BelRay EXP rates very highly on Jim's testings and I can get here at about $11 CAD ($9 USD) here in Canada. Thats a lot less then Royal Purple, VR1 and Mobil etc.

 

[concours]

I checked out the oil charts on tech info.

I'm looking for the best protection with the emphasis on an oil that is readily available.

This is for a stock 850 MK II.

Initially I was considering Castrol GTX 20W50 conventional which ranked near the top for "stage 2 Commandos" It has a good (for a stock Commando) load capacity at 257 but the heat from friction was a bit high at 7.7.

The Local NAPA stocks Royal Purple HPS 20W50 which has a load capacity of 457 with a low heat from friction value of 0.44. Seems like a good choice to me.

I know there will be other products that will give just as adequate or even better protection, but I want something that can be purchased at various localities. In addition to my area in Northern NY state, I have searched NAPA stores in the Butler, PA area as well as Southern Indiana and all have have same day pick up options for Royal Purple HPS 20W50.


Does anyone have experience with this product?

What is the best oil for a Norton Commando?

Norton Commando Motorcycle Oil Tests by Jim Comstock.

www.accessnorton.com

 

[Dan1950]

BelRay EXP rates very highly on Jim's testings and I can get here at about $11 CAD ($9 USD) here in Canada. Thats a lot less then Royal Purple, VR1 and Mobil etc.

Jim Comstock's tests showed Royal Purple in an excellent light.
That would be my choice for that reason alone.

Soft like butter camshafts and delicate cam followers leaves me wanting the very best oil for temp and load that I can get my hands on.

Royal Purple HPS 20W50 is available nationwide at NAPA Auto Parts stores for < $11 US.

 

[Dan1950]

What is the best oil for a Norton Commando?

Norton Commando Motorcycle Oil Tests by Jim Comstock.

www.accessnorton.com

That's where I got my information.

 

[lazyeye6]

Jim had a lot of experience with this product. He performed tests and spoon fed the results to us. Science beats
opinions any day. It's not like we're running Rolls Royce Merlin V-12 engines. Sigh

 

[concours]

Fairly popular in drag racing

 

[MexicoMike]

It's not gonna stop...

Oh well...
I've posted this before re oil...

A good friend is a former president of INOA and a guy who probably puts more miles on a Norton Commando in a few weeks than most of us do in a few years. A couple of years ago he rode (alone) his Commando from Mid-Mexico to Canada and back for a "meet." A couple years earlier he rode from mid Mexico to Tierre del Fuego, then turned around, went North to Alaska and then back to Mexico. That trip alone was 20+k miles.

On the various trips he used whatever oil was available when he needed oil. In many cases in South America that meant buying oil with no "brand" name at all - whatever some local gas stop had, sometimes just oil in a generic container. That Norton continues to run just fine, no worse for not having expensive oil.

I agree that science is better than opinion but experience is even better.

 

[Tornado]

It's not gonna stop...

Oh well...
I've posted this before re oil...

A good friend is a former president of INOA and a guy who probably puts more miles on a Norton Commando in a few weeks than most of us do in a few years. A couple of years ago he rode (alone) his Commando from Mid-Mexico to Canada and back for a "meet." A couple years earlier he rode from mid Mexico to Tierre del Fuego, then turned around, went North to Alaska and then back to Mexico. That trip alone was 20+k miles.

On the various trips he used whatever oil was available when he needed oil. In many cases in South America that meant buying oil with no "brand" name at all - whatever some local gas stop had, sometimes just oil in a generic container. That Norton continues to run just fine, no worse for not having expensive oil.

I agree that science is better than opinion but experience is even better.

Yes I tend to agree. Any oil today is likely as good or better than what was around iin the '60's when these bikes were designed. I do not recall hears stories of engine failures on stock, road riding Commandos known to be from low performing oils. Racing or performance modded engines, like Jim was running when his cam failed, are a different matter. That said, I do like the peace of mind that comes from Jim's testing for oils that best handle our flat tappet engines.

 

[SteveA]

Jim did absolutely great work. I wonder even if the effort of it is part of why he doesn't contribute today.

Some of us thought it was the oil thread to end all oil threads, but it seems not!

For some it never seemed enough, regardless of the thoughtfulness, technique and huge effort involved, the results didn't meet their pre-existing prejudices.....

The only fly in the ointment has been the availability of different oils in different locations around the world, including variations in well known brands in different markets. There is also the fact that the 'recipes' themselves vary season on season and ingredients important to 40 year old flat tappets are removed.

Discussing the qualities of each oil should have been done to death, but pricing and availability is key to applying Jim's findings.

So he included a lot of work on oils people sent to him from their local supply, and that was informative too.

Boutique products like Klotz or Royal Purple at 11$ a litre or Quart would be great for all of us, but that is impossible here in France.

So I use another oil from the top end of the list, but I would love to use one with a better rating on heat generation!

 

[Time Warp]

Jim did absolutely great work. I wonder even if the effort of it is part of why he doesn't contribute today.

That was a lot of time for a guy who/whom is probably the busiest Norton resource in the world as a one man operation.

The US$50 sent was well worth it to then use a brand and viscosity off the royal tested list.

 

[BERT]

In older days an " oil thread " was a few wraps of fine cord such as thread to seal a leaking drain plug.