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  • #16
    Originally posted by FNG1 View Post
    I try to get out to ride as much as the next guy. I agree with Chuck and try to keep it above 20 degrees. This morning it was 17 but warmed up to 38 by 4:30. Tell me more about the oil you use. I use a block heater for the morning start, then I park in the sun if I can. Two weeks ago at work.
    FNG1 - Keep that first number low as in 5W/40. I use Mobile 1. I got 50,000 miles out of a previously seized motor using this oil down to -11 degrees. 10 years of daily riding. I would leave your primary and tranny oil as it is. What you are trying to accomplish is easing the cold start wear and tear a motor goes through trying to flow molasses on an extreme cold day. Better for your starter motor too.
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    • #17
      yep -- 5/40 or 0/40. I like the mobil Euro car formula https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mobil-1-F...-5-qt/23636902

      Both the Guzzi and the japanese bikes described in this thread are plain bearing motors and the 0-40 or 5-40 works very well. On a roller bearing motor like most American V twins -- it positively cranks.

      I ran 10-30 in the winter for eons and the bikes were always a tough one to start. Kick or electric didn't matter -- cold oil = hard to turn over.

      But, I had to leave my car outside in -10 weather about a decade ago and read up how to make sure it would start in the AM. Everyone said; change the oil. I thought: BS how could something even thinner than 10-30 make any difference. But, I swapped the oil anyways and boy howdy did the car turn over easy. I then decided to put it in the winter bike and viola all my starting issues resolved. Bike cranks fast, oil light goes out instantly and when I had a gauge on the bike it always showed terrific oil pressure equal to or even greater than mineral oil.


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      • #18
        Few years ago, I bought a nearly new standby generator at half price because the guy who bought it couldn't pull start the motor in the winter so he bought an electric start model. I changed it to synthetic 5-40 and it starts right up.
        AMCA #41287
        1971 Sprint SS350 project
        1972 FX Boattail Night Train
        1972 Sportster project
        1973 HD Golf Cart project
        1979 FXS 1200 never done playing
        1989 Springer Softail project
        1998 Dyna Convertible - 100% Original
        96" Evo Softail self built chopper
        2012 103" Road King
        2020 Heritage Classic 114
        plus 14 other bikes over the years...

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        • #19
          Thanks Chuck and Deebs, I'll try that.

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