Oldfeller--FSO wrote on 11/17/16 at 20:16:34:
Piedmontbuckeye. there is a need for some very SPECIFIC information here.
You have said you are using a product that investigation in the past on "Lucas Oil Treatments" has had Lucas very own petroleum engineers say was NOT recommended for motorcycle wet clutch application use. This was in line with Lucas's own posted printed tech information but it was in conflict with the sales promotional materials at that time. You know, pesky oil engineers saying no and sales guys saying "hey, a new market over there that needs to be taken advantage of."
We can't even investigate what uses the stuff is currently advertised to do because you haven't told us what it is. Please show us some pictures of the bottles, please. Give us a reference to the misleading adverts too, if you can find them for us.
I have been involved in too many newbies coming here trying to clean up clutch plates that were contaminated by both energy star oils and "thickness modifiers" (yes, your older Lucas oil treatment stuff was based a long hydrocarbon polymer thickness modifier) to let this stay over here in factual land without backup references.
Perhaps this is a new product, or perhaps it is the marketing guys are again trying to sell something potentially harmful to the wet clutch guys again that their own petroleum and applications engineers won't approve when directly asked -- with Lucas it has gone that way before, but once again this time may be different and this may be a new product completely, we can't know until you start posting real information.
And, although you didn't even know what an oil war was, you have indeed gotten involved in one by making statements and offering opinions that are not backed up by any factual information. Information that comes from users of a different brand of motorcycle that has a dry plate (automotive style) bv clutch.
Or else you are here simply because we will respond to you, and you are just having a discussion. Great, we discuss all sorts of stuff over in the Cafe area. Rubber Side Down is kept completely factual as it is read by new people who cannot separate "opinion" from best practices. In Rubber Side down we stick to best practices, things proven and known.
In Rubber Side Down we always try to support what we say with links and tech references. Right now we don't know which Lucas oil you are using (exactly, specifically) and we certainly don't know which Lucas oil modifier you are using.
My main concern is that is Lucas selling their stuff again in a misleading manner similar to what they have done in the past, or perhaps the airhead BMW guys simply have got a trick that works in their environment that might cause damage to a Savage if used here inside our Big Singles.
You need to tell us what you are using, good buddy. Nobody can respond to you until you do.
I didn't start this thread to cause an "oil war" and yes I am fully aware that they exist as I have been around the block or two. I also resent your implications regarding my BMW past as though I wasn't aware of any other consideration than my being used to a "dry clutch.
I HAVE specifically stated what product I am using but I didn't do so because I wanted YOUR approval.
I only stated that your (most of them) responses are not substantiated with any sort of back up facts. I didn't criticize any's oil suggestion as I don't have any "facts" to be critical of them. I did state that you (generic "you") seem to be using the Shell Rotella as a benchmark and if any other suggests anything that doesn't match YOUR benchmark you (also generic "you") seem to attack it.
For example, someone has mentioned 2,000 ppm as the amount one needs of ZDDP to have in their oil. Where does this number come from? Just because that is what Shell has in its oil (if it really does have that amount)? Why not 1,900" or 1,800? Where is the correct LOW number as needed and defined SCIENTIFICALLY and on this particular product (i.e. the Suzuki)? Could other factors affect things? Like the Suzuki having a poor lubrication system that is weak on upper end lubrication? I am not saying it does, but this is just ONE factor that could affect things and oil choice. I have been around enough (and BMW people are far more cognizant of these things than you think. Perhaps there is another war going on here?
I think the most common sense response above by one person is that when properly oiled (i.e. changed and kept clean, etc.) almost any oil would work and work well. I am (and have been for years) aware about the ZDDP issue, so I would NEVER use a regular car oil in my bike, but I remember using (years ago) regular auto oil in virtually all of my "wet clutch" bikes including using an oil that was specifically designed for racing engines with NO issues with my wet clutches!
Get over yourself. You are probably impressing others, but not me!