Follower scar oil tests (2018)

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WZ507 said:
Aeroshell W100 Plus 50 wt failed about 1 minute into the initial warm-up period in Jim’s oil test. On the other hand the Aeroshell Sport plus 4 Synthetic performed well. It would be interesting to know if Aeroshell 2XN preservation oil/additive improved the Aeroshell W100 Plus performance in the test protocol or whether it simply alters oil rheology to improve cling/resist draining during long term storage, or simply contains a superior corrosion inhibition package? Can aero oils contain any ZDDP or are all heavy metal additives a "no-no" in aviation?
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ZDDP is not a "no no" in aviation oil. The best aviation oils contain quite a bit of it. Lycoming engines in particular have a high camshaft failure rate, when the engine sits unused, rather than in regular use. [Sort of like a motorcycle in the snow belt]. The camshaft sits high in the crankcases, so over time, the oil runs off of it, and it rusts. So, after months of sitting idle, the owner starts the engine and the rust on the camshaft ruins the cam and the lifters. ZDDP helps prevent that. Norton engines also have the camshaft siting high in the crankcases. However, most Nortons will wet sump while sitting. I suspect that fact helps protect their camshafts from rusting. Read the Lycoming Service Instruction I mentioned earlier. From what it says, I would suspect that 2XN's performance would be a bit less than Sport Plus 4, perhaps even less than W100.
 
Heated dry storage over wintering of bike no doubts aids in preservation.
...I need to tell myself these things.
 
Onder said:
Heated dry storage over wintering of bike no doubts aids in preservation.
...I need to tell myself these things.
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It helps immensely! My first Mk III spent every winter in the dining room. Chrome plated aluminum does not like cold temps. When Pete Kogut came to do a photo shoot of it, he was impressed that I dared to store a Norton over wall to wall carpeting without something to catch the leaking oil. That bike did not leak oil. I substituted 2 lip oil seals for all the stock oil seals. ;)
 
Hi there fellas! Happy new year!
I am brand new to this forum and soon to be a new owner to my very first bike, a ‘72 Norton 750 Commando.
So i’m Wondering, with all the wealth of discussion and research into oil, is it the royal purple hps 20w50, or the royal purple max 20w50, or the mobil1 v-twin 20w50? Or is there one that I’m missing. I get the bike in about a month and plan to change the oil. So what do you guys say I should get a case of.
I also have a ‘67 MG midget and have been using valvoline vr1 20w50 for some time now. Looks like I should be switching to whatever I plan to use in the Norton.

Thoughts?

Cheers,
Rob
 
Starvingphotog said:
Hi there fellas! Happy new year!
I am brand new to this forum and soon to be a new owner to my very first bike, a ‘72 Norton 750 Commando.
So i’m Wondering, with all the wealth of discussion and research into oil, is it the royal purple hps 20w50, or the royal purple max 20w50, or the mobil1 v-twin 20w50? Or is there one that I’m missing. I get the bike in about a month and plan to change the oil. So what do you guys say I should get a case of.
I also have a ‘67 MG midget and have been using valvoline vr1 20w50 for some time now. Looks like I should be switching to whatever I plan to use in the Norton.

Thoughts?

Cheers,
Rob
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3 living legends go with rp in the above post, end of story in this thread
www.accessnorton.com

Follower scar oil tests (2018)

So after having a cam failure and getting sucked into reading way to much crap about oils, I decided if I wanted to know I better do some more testing. I had a Timkin scar tester some years ago but never thought it gave me any good valuable info so I put something together to do some testing...
www.accessnorton.com www.accessnorton.com

you'll be the focus with a fresh intro thread/post, what oil question alone ends up with epic threads

Question about M1

I've been spending a good amount of time reading the UOAs from various vehicles that undergo various conditions and I'm consistently seeing high metal counts with M1, which is most likely old news for a lot of you. But at the same time I see a good number of folks here recommending M1 to...
bobistheoilguy.com

cheers
 
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Starvingphotog said:
Hi there fellas! Happy new year!
I am brand new to this forum and soon to be a new owner to my very first bike, a ‘72 Norton 750 Commando.
So i’m Wondering, with all the wealth of discussion and research into oil, is it the royal purple hps 20w50, or the royal purple max 20w50, or the mobil1 v-twin 20w50? Or is there one that I’m missing. I get the bike in about a month and plan to change the oil. So what do you guys say I should get a case of.
I also have a ‘67 MG midget and have been using valvoline vr1 20w50 for some time now. Looks like I should be switching to whatever I plan to use in the Norton.

Thoughts?

Cheers,
Rob
Click to expand...
RP, if you are at home. For me, it s even cheaper than M1 V-twin. Win -win.

On the road, v-twin in a pinch.

Summary here.

What is the best oil for a Norton Commando?

Norton Commando Motorcycle Oil Tests by Jim Comstock.
www.accessnorton.com
 
I vote 20/50 HPS, by the test, not the highest but decent load capacity and low heat and I think heat (in general) by friction is the killer in old things. (especially air cooled)
 
Hey there guys,
Do you think this recommendation for RP would translate just as well for use in a '67 MG Midget with a 1275 motor? I'm using Valvoline VR1 in there now and feel that the argument is a strong one to use in the MG as well as my Combat.
Thoughts?
Sorry to keep beating this dead, so dead, horse:)
 
Starvingphotog said:
Hey there guys,
Do you think this recommendation for RP would translate just as well for use in a '67 MG Midget with a 1275 motor? I'm using Valvoline VR1 in there now and feel that the argument is a strong one to use in the MG as well as my Combat.
Thoughts?
Sorry to keep beating this dead, so dead, horse:)
Click to expand...
IMHO yes.
 
If the MG 1275 engine is same as my Mini, then it shares oil with gearbox. Jim's testing results were primarily concerned with cam wear due to flat tappet followers, also a thing in the Mini engine. But folks have told me select oils that are also for gearbox suitability. Have not heard of problems from descent quality 20w50 oils for classic cars having cam wear issues. As long as you stick to frequent changes. So no need for pricey stuff, just change it often. Im using Castrol GTX with zinc additive at moment. VR1 is hard to find locally a nd when it is, its $12-15 per litre...too rich for my blood. My local mini club VP recs Shell Rotella T6 Synth.
 
MG 1275 is the Mini A series engine at its largest capacity, made a few in my time at Longbridge.
 
The Midget used an engine very similar to a Mini 1275, but separate from the gearbox in a conventional (then) front engine rear wheel drive layout.
 
Starvingphotog said:
Hi there fellas! Happy new year!
I am brand new to this forum and soon to be a new owner to my very first bike, a ‘72 Norton 750 Commando.
So i’m Wondering, with all the wealth of discussion and research into oil, is it the royal purple hps 20w50, or the royal purple max 20w50, or the mobil1 v-twin 20w50? Or is there one that I’m missing. I get the bike in about a month and plan to change the oil. So what do you guys say I should get a case of. MONEY.
I also have a ‘67 MG midget and have been using valvoline vr1 20w50 for some time now. Looks like I should be switching to whatever I plan to use in the Norton.

Thoughts?

Cheers,
Rob
Click to expand...
 
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