Follower scar oil tests (2018)

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MexicoMike said:
It's been BIG DEAL for many years in just about every old/vintage OHV engined-car and moto forum. Of course, for Motos that pretty much just means, with a few exceptions, old brittbikes and Harleys! In the rest of the vehicle world, it is like worrying about who makes the best buggy whips! :)
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How old Harley flat tappets are you talking about?
I thought Moco has used roller tappets, a long, long time, like since the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang days...
Do tell...
 
Jim, how much time and energy are you willing to spend on testing oil and oil cocktails? This effort could take a long time and I doubt this group would tire of it or be satisfied that it was done. Maybe this is how you get a few million views on YouTube!
 
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concours said:
How old Harley flat tappets are you talking about?
I thought Moco has used roller tappets, a long, long time, like since the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang days...
Do tell...
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American Iron magazine had articles suggesting the use of ZDDP/oils with high concentrates of ZZDP for Harleys as recently as 2016, maybe more recently. Frankly, I didn't know that until I was on another site some months ago re this same subject and someone posted some quotes from the mag.
 
rvich said:
Jim, how much time and energy are you willing to spend on testing oil and oil coctails. This effort could take a long time and I doubt this group would tire of it or be satisfied that it was done. Maybe this is how you get a few million views on YouTube!
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I am not wanting to make oil testing my occupation and was mainly doing some testing to see if there was a possible oil connection to my cam and piston failure.
It has been enlightening.

I have a few more oils to test that I am interested in and I will go ahead and test oil samples that list members want to get to me. It requires a minimum of 2 ounces to run the test. Or you can send a quart and I will use the rest in my oil can...

I have another 40 or 50 arbor races in my box that I can supply and can do a couple late night tests a day.
 
Jim, if you care to test it I will send a pint of Blendzall bean oil. Be aware it has some additives so is not pure bean oil. Soooo if you want to test it let me know where to send it.
Thanks, Jim
 
oldbeezer said:
Jim, if you care to test it I will send a pint of Blendzall bean oil. Be aware it has some additives so is not pure bean oil. Soooo if you want to test it let me know where to send it.
Thanks, Jim
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I will be glad to test it. I will PM my address or you can get it from my website -nortonmachineshop.com
 
Onder said:
It would be useful to know how the oil stands up to prolonged use. At the price RP gets one is going to be dropping the oil after a thousand miles? Please run the test for about six months or so...:)
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So I am not going to do a 6 month run, but how's this.

I pulled 2 ounces of oil from my bikes oil tank. 3066 miles on it after my trip to Washington for the rally.
This was my final test last night and I had some difficulty getting it to upload to u-tube.

 
I have a friend who has often said, "You could probably use 3 in 1 oil if you just changed it regularly!" So... ? :)
 
comnoz said:
I am not wanting to make oil testing my occupation and was mainly doing some testing to see if there was a possible oil connection to my cam and piston failure.
It has been enlightening.

I have a few more oils to test that I am interested in and I will go ahead and test oil samples that list members want to get to me. It requires a minimum of 2 ounces to run the test. Or you can send a quart and I will use the rest in my oil can...

I have another 40 or 50 arbor races in my box that I can supply and can do a couple late night tests a day.
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The testing has shown that my faith in VR1 for Vintage use was definitely misplaced.
I'll be switching to an oil that holds up well on these scar tests.

The strange thing with the VR1 usage is that I've used it for quite a few miles now, fairly extreme usage at times (eg Beartooth Pass, two up, hot day, high speeds)have never seen much of anything on the magnetic drain plugs nor had any premature wear issues.
Seeing these tests is believing for me though.

Glen
 
worntorn said:
The testing has shown that my faith in VR1 for Vintage use was definitely misplaced.
I'll be switching to an oil that holds up well on these scar tests.

The strange thing with the VR1 usage is that I've used it for quite a few miles now, fairly extreme usage at times (eg Beartooth Pass, two up, hot day, high speeds)have never seen much of anything on the magnetic drain plugs nor had any premature wear issues.
Seeing these tests is believing for me though.

Glen
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Yes, I still have vr1 in several of my vehicles and even my tractor. I have used it in my Norton but I was alarmed by how quickly it turned black and thick so I haven't used it for some time.
After this I will be changing in all my vehicles. [maybe not to XPR in my old ford tractor]

I suspect if it was changed a lot sooner than I like to change my oil, VR1 would be ok, but on most of my trips that would mean changing it every day...
I am also not very trusting of the high zinc label.
There are lots of differing reports but I do know that with an API certification the zinc is pretty well controlled and below what Valvoline says.
 
How about a nonsythetic as a comparison. I use 20w/50 Valvoline 4 stroke motorcyle oil. I suspect quite a few other folks do to as it is widely available.
 
comnoz said:
Yes, I know Art...

So send me some 3 in 1
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Sounds good, Jim!

My wife and I fly from Manchester on Friday and we will be spending the week of the Manx GP in Douglas, IOM, with Art and his wife, Carol. I'll let him know that we are working on debunking his 3 in 1 comment! OMG, what if it actually does OK? :)
 
MexicoMike said:
Sounds good, Jim!

My wife and I fly from Manchester on Friday and we will be spending the week of the Manx GP in Douglas, IOM, with Art and his wife, Carol. I'll let him know that we are working on debunking his 3 in 1 comment! OMG, what if it actually does OK? :)
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I guess if it works I will buy Art a lifetime supply of 3 in 1 for his new Honda...
 
Well, if the oil was not the problem, then that leaves me more than a bit concerned with my fairly new motor with the new 312a and AN sourced followers you radiused. Bummer

Now to find some XPR in NZ...
 
gortnipper said:
Well, if the oil was not the problem, then that leaves me more than a bit concerned with my fairly new motor with the new 312a and AN sourced followers you radiused. Bummer

Now to find some XPR in NZ...
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I plan to do some more oils soon. Surely there are others as good.
I also plan on revising my test to give results over a wider range instead of just seeing if it does as well as XPR.

I wish I would have known to test your followers before I sent them. If it's not already together I might suggest finding someone local to give them a test. It's simple and cheap. Have them do the edge of the pad and look for at least RHC 58.

Otherwise I might be temped to find someone with a boro-scope type camera or raise the barrel for a look. It would be best to catch it early. Jim
 
comnoz said:
So I am not going to do a 6 month run, but how's this.

I pulled 2 ounces of oil from my bikes oil tank. 3066 miles on it after my trip to Washington for the rally.
This was my final test last night and I had some difficulty getting it to upload to u-tube.

Click to expand...

Your superior results with the 3,000 mi Royal Purple XPR remind me of several old oil threads here on the forum where it was suggested (Ludwig) that many people (specifically Yanks) change oil far more often than necessary (we’re brain washed into thinking we have to perform oil changes at very short intervals) and that oil gets “more slippery” with use. Perhaps you’ve illuminated such an example for us?

Not taking a viewpoint here “for” or “against”, just regurgitating an old oil recollection from days gone by.
 
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