piedmontbuckeye wrote on 11/19/16 at 06:03:56: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?
Get over yourself. You are probably impressing others, but not me!
Nobody quoted 2,000 ppm of ZDDP in this thread, and anything over 1,400 ppm of ZDDP can cause wear and is not recommended (except during the cam break in).
The 1,200 ppm that I quoted is the amount of ZDDP that was the maximum allowed in motor oils prior to first ZDDP reduction that occurred in the 1990' - the Suzuki Savage first came on the market in 1986 and most likely was designed to operate with that oil in the engine.
Here is a link to a very good oil article, and a quote from that article:
http://www.enginebuildermag.com/2014/03/choosing-right-oil/ZDDP Reductions
In recent years, the critical anti-wear additive ZDDP has been gradually reduced to help extend the life of the catalytic converter (phosphorus can contaminate the catalyst if the engine is using oil).
Back in the 1980s, motor oils typically contained around 1500 PPM (parts per million) of ZDDP. In the 1990s, that was reduced to 1200 PPM, then down to around 800 PPM in 2005.
That level of anti-wear additive is adequate for overhead cam engines and pushrod engines that have roller cams, but it has proved to be inadequate for engines with flat tappet cams, causing accelerated cam lobe and lifter wear – especially if stiffer valve springs are used.I use and recommend Rotella T and T-6 because they are affordable, easy to find at most retail stores, auto stores, truck stops, and it does the job. I have also used Brad Penn - but it is more expensive and hard to find.
If you want to use something else - that is OK......you can use whatever you believe is necessary and keeps you and your motorcycle cruising along smoothly.