what oil?

bjboertje · #1 06-13-2007, 06:25 PM

I just bought a 1989 Yamaha YX600 Radian and it needs an oil change. What weight oil should I put in it? Or could someone point me in the right direction as to where to look to find out.

speediva · #2 06-13-2007, 09:51 PM

Congrats on your purchase! The Radian is a great bike!

I don't know the weight oil recommended for it, but if you don't already have one, I STRONGLY suggest getting a manual for your bike. You'll be glad you have it sooner or later.

busafreek07 · #3 06-14-2007, 12:41 AM

i had a question why did u pick that bike?

richtazz · #4 06-14-2007, 05:52 AM

I agree with Saturn. Buy a service manual for the bike. It will help you with all the little specifics of your bike. Whatever oil you choose, stick with motorcycle specific oil. The new high mileage, high detergent car oils don't have the correct formulation to protect your engine and trans.

bjboertje · #5 06-14-2007, 12:43 PM

thanks for the input guys. i just bought a manual online, it should be here in a few days.
i bought the radian because i had wanted a bike for a while and it came up for sale on the road i drive on every day to work. i stopped to look at it and i liked it so a few days later i took it for a test drive and loved it. i made an offer and he accepted.

another question: how many miles is a lot for a street bike like mine? it has 19k on it now.

jeffcoslacker · #6 06-14-2007, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richtazz

I agree with Saturn. Buy a service manual for the bike. It will help you with all the little specifics of your bike. Whatever oil you choose, stick with motorcycle specific oil. The new high mileage, high detergent car oils don't have the correct formulation to protect your engine and trans.

Shell Rotella 15W-40 is made for diesel fleet service, but works well with wet clutches, and is a good grade for motorcycle service. And it comes in gallon jugs real cheap at WalMart...me and several others have been using it for years in bikes, with good results...

bjboertje · #7 06-15-2007, 12:55 PM

can anyone else confirm that ^

nuther q:
recently the bike has developed a very annoying vibration in the trans (i think) when the engine is between 3500 and 5000 rpms. it sounds like it is on the right side, but it is hard to tell. i'm thinking it is coming from the clutch area. it does it both when the bike is in gear and in nuetral. could broken down oil cause this? the oil is completely black in the eyeglass thingy. i'm not driving it anymore 'til i change the oil.

jeffcoslacker · #8 06-16-2007, 06:29 AM

You said vibration, but then you said sound.

Do you feel it (vibe) or hear it (sound)?

The exhaust runs down that side, yes? Check the hangers, header flanges, and clamps would be my first guess, put your foot on the pipe (with the motor cold, or you'll melt your shoe) and brace it, see if the sound disappears when you rev it...clutch basket noises usually occur at idle. Nothing moving in the tranny when the bike is still, so doubt it's that. Could be primary chain noise or something. Or camchain, etc...motorcycles have so many chains, jackshafts, and gear drives internally, trying to guess what a noise is without hearing it is pretty dicey.

Check that the engine is solidly bolted to the frame also...I had a Vulcan 750 that developed an annoying vibe in a certain rpm range, turned out it had a mount backing off...

bjboertje · #9 06-17-2007, 11:23 AM

i can't feel the vibration, i can hear it. i'm pretty sure it is somthing inside, but i'll check those other things you listed.

btw, i lol'ed at your sig.

bjboertje · #10 06-20-2007, 05:40 PM

it was the muffler. it cracked at the joint between the header and the muffler. anyone know where i can get straight pipes for it?

jeffcoslacker · #11 06-21-2007, 07:04 AM

You wouldn't want to straight pipe it...you'll loose power off the bottom and it'll blubber and sound like crap, may be hard to start cold also. You have to re-jet the carb and open the intake to make use of straight pipe.

bjboertje · #12 06-21-2007, 12:45 PM

i just want it for the sound. i think the side without the muffler on it sounds awesome. what does it take to re-jet the carb and open the intake?

Steel · #13 07-09-2007, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richtazz

Whatever oil you choose, stick with motorcycle specific oil. The new high mileage, high detergent car oils don't have the correct formulation to protect your engine and trans.

Complete and utter rubbish put out by motorcycle DEALERS so that they can make a dime off of you. If you want to know the truth, do some research instead of being spoonfed every little tiny scrap of bullshit that the stealerships dish out.

richtazz · #14 07-10-2007, 05:48 AM

Steel, you're wrong. Many motorcycles use the same oil for both the engine and transmission. These new car oils have so many additives that they don't have the shear strength to withstand the added abuse in the trans. If you want to use a SJ or higher rated oil in your scoot, by all means do so. I hope you have fun replacing the trans side bearings and clutch parts.

Steel · #15 07-12-2007, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richtazz

Steel, you're wrong. Many motorcycles use the same oil for both the engine and transmission. These new car oils have so many additives that they don't have the shear strength to withstand the added abuse in the trans. If you want to use a SJ or higher rated oil in your scoot, by all means do so. I hope you have fun replacing the trans side bearings and clutch parts.

Prove it. Ive never ever met anyone who has claimed to have problems with their bike from running car oil, yet i hear it all the time. I wont be changing anything in my engine for quite some time, have fun overpaying for oil

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