Dazza from Cairns

[dazzadot]

A warm welcome from Darwin, you've chosen a great bike

Where's the national rally and what's the rally for?

[dazzadot]

ooo... Another FNQ owner :-)
Welcome from Atherton.. i've got a Red ST1300, so if you see me around, feel free to say hi! I get down to cairns every now and again :)

Are you planning on attending the National Rally?

Where's the rally and what's it for?

[saaz]

Its a get together of ST owners from all over Australia.  This will be the third one (after Blackheath in NSW and Middleton in SA)

http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=3793.0

[BigTed]

Hi Dazza, I'm unlikely to go to Ballarat due to other holiday commitments, but I encourage you to go. I made the trip from Perth to Middleton in March and enjoyed every KM of it. The trip from Cairns is sure to be much more scenic! It's a long way, but the enjoyment and camaraderie you'll get out of it is truly worth the effort.

[Bikebear]

Hey Bikebear, what sort of oil should I use? Does it really matter? I want to do an oil change real soon and was going to use shell helix 20/50. I thought that may be ok in this hot climate

Hmmm.. The great oil debate..    The Shell should be fine provided it is suitable for wet clutches, if it says energy conserving or has friction modifiers I'd be wary, perhaps someone else could shed some light on this product. I'm presently running Penrite ten tenths synthetic, however it is fairly expensive. I've run a heap of different oils and really so long as you do regular changes of oil and filter you shouldn't have too many problems. I chnage oil and filter every 10000kms, this a bit less than the 12000 in the service schedule but it makes it easy to remember. Some members are using the Ryco filter (not sure what the number is), I use the Hiflofiltro HF303 as it fits both my current bikes, they cost a couple of bucks more than the Ryco but they are made as a direct replacement for motorcycle filters.

[WendyL]

The Ryco filter is the Z79A

[dazzadot]

Hey Bikebear, what sort of oil should I use? Does it really matter? I want to do an oil change real soon and was going to use shell helix 20/50. I thought that may be ok in this hot climate

Hmmm.. The great oil debate..    The Shell should be fine provided it is suitable for wet clutches, if it says energy conserving or has friction modifiers I'd be wary, perhaps someone else could shed some light on this product. I'm presently running Penrite ten tenths synthetic, however it is fairly expensive. I've run a heap of different oils and really so long as you do regular changes of oil and filter you shouldn't have too many problems. I chnage oil and filter every 10000kms, this a bit less than the 12000 in the service schedule but it makes it easy to remember. Some members are using the Ryco filter (not sure what the number is), I use the Hiflofiltro HF303 as it fits both my current bikes, they cost a couple of bucks more than the Ryco but they are made as a direct replacement for motorcycle filters.

do I really need a tool to tighten the oil filter or can we just do it by hand like a car?

[Brock]

I do mine up by hand

[dazzadot]

I do mine up by hand

What oil do you use Brock?

[Brock]

I use at the moment, Penrite Diesel HPR 20W 60 extra 10 from Repco, and the ROF 135 filter

[dazzadot]

I use at the moment, Penrite Diesel HPR 20W 60 extra 10 from Repco, and the ROF 135 filter

Why a diesel oil and why 20/60 not 40 or 50 grade?

[Brock]

Its handles the stress and strain of Diesels, meets the spec required for the bike. Also quietens the transmission bit, and stops the annoying clunky 1st to 2nd gear change. It reduces the cold engine clutch growl on an energetic take off a bit as well.

Why 20w 60, it was there when I needed to change the oil, 20/50 wasnt.. 

Its been working well.

[dazzadot]

Its handles the stress and strain of Diesels, meets the spec required for the bike. Also quietens the transmission bit, and stops the annoying clunky 1st to 2nd gear change. It reduces the cold engine clutch growl on an energetic take off a bit as well.

Why 20w 60, it was there when I needed to change the oil, 20/50 wasnt.. 

Its been working well.

Sounds good to me. I'll give it a try. Thanks Mate

[Brock]

I dont think it helps the running much if you happen to put DIESEL in the tank but...

 

[saaz]

Diesel should really be called heavy duty oils.  They are not as limited as petrol only oils in terms of limits to additive packages to protect catalytic converters.  If you are not going to use synthetic oils, something like at least a 15W-40 or better (like Brock suggests) is good.  The diesel oils are probably the most cost effective to use, particularly if you want to change the oil earlier than the Honda recommended interval.  A 20W-xx oil I found was too thick when cold for Canberra in winter, but in warmer areas/summer would be good.

I have used the 10W-40 mineral oils for quite a while, and they don't tend to be as good for gear changes as anything 15W-xx or more for 10,000kms plus oil changes.

I have never had oils tested (may as well just change it!) so my comments are really based on the transmission and how it feels when it gets hot - the noisier it gets, the more worn out the oil is.

[dazzadot]

Diesel should really be called heavy duty oils.  They are not as limited as petrol only oils in terms of limits to additive packages to protect catalytic converters.  If you are not going to use synthetic oils, something like at least a 15W-40 or better (like Brock suggests) is good.  The diesel oils are probably the most cost effective to use, particularly if you want to change the oil earlier than the Honda recommended interval.  A 20W-xx oil I found was too thick when cold for Canberra in winter, but in warmer areas/summer would be good.

I have used the 10W-40 mineral oils for quite a while, and they don't tend to be as good for gear changes as anything 15W-xx or more for 10,000kms plus oil changes.

I have never had oils tested (may as well just change it!) so my comments are really based on the transmission and how it feels when it gets hot - the noisier it gets, the more worn out the oil is.

Boy, so much help and suggestions. I appreciate all the help. Cheers, Darrell

[Dan]

Hey Dazza glad you found the forum!  These guys will be able to help you out with your bike I'm sure.  I checked the oil that I used last, it was penrite 15w 50 semi synthetic diesel.

Hope the bike is going well, I'm sure it is!

[Dan]

Oh and hope you meet up with Bikebear, he's a good bloke!

[dazzadot]

Hey Dazza glad you found the forum!  These guys will be able to help you out with your bike I'm sure.  I checked the oil that I used last, it was penrite 15w 50 semi synthetic diesel.

Hope the bike is going well, I'm sure it is!

Thanks Dan, looking forward to meeting Bike bear. Have you still got the tyres? I can get them next week if you do.

[dazzadot]

The Ryco filter is the Z79A

no, the filter is z436, z79a is too big for st1100 that I have.

[dazzadot]

Tell me guys, I put in 3.7 litres of oil, which was in the specs with a new filter, and according to the oil level window it says about half way. Is that acceptable or should it be to the top line marked on the window? I'm used to using a dipstick on all my old bikes.

[dazzadot]

Dazza, I'll try to organise some time to meet up and I can explain a few things and help you learn about the bike. I have a software copy of the manual that I can give you a copy of as well. After we talk about the bike we do a run for a coffee somewhere.

Bikebear, if your wanting to met up some time, My number is 0421202940.

[Bikebear]

No problem mate. I'm off to beautiful downtown Croydon for a few days starting tomorrow but I will try to catch up next weekend.