This thread will be edited as new information becomes available.

Our Savage motorcycle uses an antique flat tappet split rocker system to actuate the valves.  Modern oils, motorcycle and car oils, are now formulated for catalytic converter equipped, roller tappet, fuel injected systems --
oil in general no longer has the levels of ZDDP necessary to support your 1987 designed Suzuki Savage.

There is still debate as to the true minimum needed ZDDP level for getting the best life out of the antique Savage cam and split fork rocker tappet system.  The current debated number is somewhere between 1,200 and 1,850 ppm of ZDDP with only the lesser number being available locally in a oil product without requiring the use of a mail order ZDDP booster (or a mail order oil).   Most of us boost the Rotella products as that is the least cost way to get up to the higher ZDDP levels.

The key thing here is for you to use the recommended high ZDDP oils (and a ZDDP booster as you do need it) as all of the currently bottled locally available "motorcycle oils" have abandoned the old Savage engine and are now formulated to meet the needs of modern catalytic converter equipped fuel injected motorcycles.  

Not following these recommendations may shorten the service life of your valve train and your valve guides.


RECOMMENDATION FOR LOCAL PURCHASE:

1)   Locally available at Advance Auto Parts, Autozone, O'Reilly, or Walmart.
2)   Contain a minimum of 1,200 ppm of ZDDP (or have more)
3)   Contains no inorganic moly or other "known slipper" energy star compounds to make your clutch slip  
(note: we are forced to accept up to 70ppm of organic moly as we really have no choice -- all the synthetic bike oils have some organic moly in them now, including the approved ones on this listing)
4)   Reasonable cost, less than $8.00 a quart for the dino products and less than $12 a quart for the synthetic products.
5)  A history of successful list use in the Savage motorcycle.

So far the Recommended list for local purchase stands at:

                     (pricing comes from Walmart)


Dino        -- Rotella T Triple Protection 15W40             $12.99 a gallon  
                                                                            ($3.25 a quart)

Synthetic -- Rotella T-6 5W40                                     $21.99 a gallon
                                                                            ($5.50 a quart)

Synthetic -- Mobil 1 Racing 10w40                                $9.97 a quart


Synthetic -- Mobil 1 V Twin 20w50                                $9.97 a quart



We will add more oils as they become available and prove out by VOA and list testing.



ZDDP Boosters: 

link to booster mix table   http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1345080430

Since there are so very few suitable oils any more we will also list the Recommended ZDDP boosters that the mgf. recommends for use in wet clutch motorcycle engines.   Most of these wet clutch friendly ZDDP boosters will require you to internet order them as they are not stocked locally.  

Please note:  Lucas ZDDP booster which is stocked locally is not recommended by Lucas for use in wet clutch motorcycle engines.  
Ditto for Rislone ZDDP booster, Rislone won't recommend it for use in wet clutch motorcycle engines.
Both products contain long chain polymer ester thickeners which are bad for wet clutch function.


       
Redline Break In ZDDP Booster    $14.95 for 16 ounces   Specs are at http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=121&pcid=1  
Free Amazon Prime shipping is at   http://www.amazon.com/Redline-81403-Engine-Break-In-Additive/dp/B00881GELC/re...




Eastwood ZDDP booster (and also their other brand name ZDDPlus).  These appear to be the same product by the same manufacturer, but generally the Eastwood brand name sells a few dollars cheaper and sometimes you can get free shipping on it from Eastwood.  




Check both brand names for the best pricing.

order here       http://www.eastwood.com/ew-zddp-oil-additive-4-oz.html
or here            http://www.amazon.com/ZDDP-Engine-Additive-Zinc-Phosphorus/dp/B003FWUWBM/ref=...
or ZDDPlus      http://www.amazon.com/ZDDPPlus-ZDDP-Engine-Additive-Phosphorus/dp/B002RNBO3U/...



AMAZON.COM PRIME (FREE SHIPPING) OILS:

We realize folks are going to have to get on line to source Savage compatible oils and boosters.  AMAZON.COM has the best prices seen so far,  so we list the appropriate Amazon oils here along with a notation if they are able to be shipped for free under Prime.   We also know this Prime free shipping comes and goes according to whether there is stock on hand at your nearest Amazon owned warehouse, so PLEASE watch your shipping charges as you check out for any unplanned surprises.


IF YOU WANT A REAL "overkill" SUPER-OIL (way way beyond reasonable needs all by itself)
Redline 10W40 Motorcycle Oil  is $10-$14 a quart here (the price varies month on month from Amazon when bought by the case).  

This  motorcycle oil whups everybody on ZDDP by like twice over, so don't be looking for a measly mere JASO rating on it.  

Specs are here http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=109&pcid=21  
Free Amazon Prime shipping is at   http://www.amazon.com/Red-Line-42424-10W40-Motorcycle/dp/B0084DZ08W/ref=sr_1_...




To save yourself hassles, please carry all questions to the following Rubber Side Down thread called "RECOMMENDED OILS AND BOOSTERS".  
This tread remains locked until edited by a moderator.

(link follows)     http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1344471408