Oil / Louver Test Results. SURPRISING!

red2003 · 05-26-2007, 10:55 AM

Whodda thunk it??? OK, here was the test procedure and test results. The same 10 mile stretch of road each test, same speed, as close to same throttle position as possible. Head temp was taken with infrared heat gun, same location immediately after pulling into the shop. Oil temp taken through filler hole with candy thermometer, case temp taken at same location on bottom of engine. Initial test was with the Valvoline 10w40 4 stroke ATV oil I have been running since new. Head temp = 250. Case = 175. Oil = 165. I was VERY surprised at how low the temps were. For an air cooled engine, that's pretty cool. Which means these engines have some HP left to be gained, but that's another topic. OK, next test was to remove the louvers in front of the head on each side of the gas tank. Head temp = 235. Case temp 172. Oil temp = 162. They are staying OFF until it cools down in the Fall. Next test was to drop the oil and replace with Mobil 1 15w50 car oil. Got back to the shop and as feared, the car oil foamed. Not like a bubble bath or anything, but more then I would have liked to have seen. Didn't take temps, cause it was dropped right back out. Last test was a $12.00 bottle of Royal Purple Full Synthetic 20w50 Motorcycle oil. This stuff is supposed to be the cats a$$ for high revving bikes. Results: head temp 260 (louvers still OFF). Case temp = 200. Oil temp = 190. 8O 8O 8O .

I think the Royal Purple is good oil, don't get me wrong, but maybe not for these engines. I think the heavier weight is the culpret. A heavier weight oil might move harder and somehow build up heat?? Maybe a heavier weight can't transfer heat as quickly?? I gotta brush up on my liquid thero-dynamics. Pauli, any insight?? In any event it's gonna get dropped back out in a few minutes :( . I am headed into town to find a motorcycle synthetic in a #w40 weight. I'll update once I find what I am looking for. Generally speaking, I WOULD NOT recommend you run a car oil in your bike, and I WOULD NOT recommend you stray away from the recommended oil weight for these bikes.

red2003 · 05-26-2007, 12:06 PM

Just got back from town with the bike, Royal Purple still in there. I ordered some Mobil 1 MXT4 Fully Synthetic 10w40 Four Stroke motorcycle oil. Wont be here until Tuesday. I'm still confused. I temped the engine again when I got back from town. It's the same 10 mile stretch. Head 265, case 175, oil 165. Maybe the engine needs a few miles to get used to the different oil?? Maybe these air cooled engines are just inconsistant in terms of temperatures?? The Royal Purple will be in there for a few more days, so I guess we'll see. I'll keep you all updated.

AZ200cc · 05-26-2007, 12:27 PM

Royal Purple makes a great car oil..But so far it looks like good ol Valvoline is hanging in there. If anyone ever buys the bike off of You,
You can tell them with confidence it has always had new oil in it ha ha

Ferrit · 05-26-2007, 12:31 PM

All of my bikes during the last 10 years have run either Castrol Synth or Rotella synthetic after breakin with zero oil related problems.

ob1 · 05-26-2007, 01:05 PM

When you settle in on the oil testing, try 1in header wrap on the exhaust header, and repeat the temperature tests. wrap the header to past the carb, higher fuel temps equal leaner mixtures and less power.

The single most effective way to reduce engine temperatures is to keep heat that has left the engine from re-entering. Let the cooling fins do what they are designed for!

red2003 · 05-26-2007, 01:36 PM

No doubt header wrap would help. I'm still very surprised the temps are as low as they are for an air cooled engine. These China engines are pretty amazing.

IronFist · 05-26-2007, 03:40 PM

Thanks Red. I'm removing the louvers today.
Looking forward to the next test with synth.
All HAIL RED!!!!!

N2r.

fatboy250 · 05-26-2007, 03:51 PM

Red,
Good post! What were you're ambient temps during each test? Could explain the varied results with the same oil.

Jason

red2003 · 05-26-2007, 04:12 PM

All tests were done this morning. Temp was a constant 65 degrees, low humidity.

fatboy250 · 05-26-2007, 04:18 PM

Well I don't know then. Anybody else?

Jason

ambassador · 05-26-2007, 10:32 PM

Still running Mobil-1 20w-50 full synthetic for 4-Strokes... Used Rotella 15-40 for my break-in... Bike runs great...
Interesting to know about the engine temps, as a Chef I use infer. temp gauges all the time and I gotta hold them there awhile to get a correct reading, NO doubt in my mind that Red did this so the temps are pretty low, Cool!!! More mods...

NewEnglandTrails · 05-27-2007, 01:28 PM

Ive been running rotella 15-40 since one of my earlier posts asking about the best oil to use in these.. bikes..

I noticed no mention of that, other than Ambassador's comment about using it as a break in oil.. Should I be considering a different type of oil after break in?

NET

red2003 · 05-27-2007, 01:48 PM

I put about 50 miles on the bike yesterday on 3 different trips. Royal Purple 20w50 still in there. Temp is holding a consistant head temp = 235, oil temp = 160 - 165. For whatever reason, the motor is now OK with the Royal Purple oil. I intentionally ran slow and easy on one trip, hard and fast / full throttle on another and it made no difference on engine temps what so ever.

katoranger · 05-27-2007, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewEnglandTrails

Ive been running rotella 15-40 since one of my earlier posts asking about the best oil to use in these.. bikes..

I noticed no mention of that, other than Ambassador's comment about using it as a break in oil.. Should I be considering a different type of oil after break in?

NET

The rotella is a good oil and reasonably priced and you can use it for as long as you wish. Alot of us are using it for breakin before going full synthetic or to a more expensive motorcycle oil. I plan to use a full synthetic in mine after the first 1000 miles. I also plan to dump the louvers. They vibrate alot and the noise is irritating.

Allen

TheOtherRide · 05-29-2007, 01:51 PM

Great work, Red! Surprising that the louvers would make that much difference. Was there any wind when you were testing? What altitude are you at?

LOL, I don't have any (useful) input on the heavier weight oil running hotter, although I do like your theory.

A follow-up test when it's 100 degrees F would be interesting...

At any rate, I'll stick with the Rotella. Have to think about the louvers, though. :wink:

05-26-2007, 10:55 AM	#1
red2003 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Northern Vermont, USA Posts: 1,247	Oil / Louver Test Results. SURPRISING! Whodda thunk it??? OK, here was the test procedure and test results. The same 10 mile stretch of road each test, same speed, as close to same throttle position as possible. Head temp was taken with infrared heat gun, same location immediately after pulling into the shop. Oil temp taken through filler hole with candy thermometer, case temp taken at same location on bottom of engine. Initial test was with the Valvoline 10w40 4 stroke ATV oil I have been running since new. Head temp = 250. Case = 175. Oil = 165. I was VERY surprised at how low the temps were. For an air cooled engine, that's pretty cool. Which means these engines have some HP left to be gained, but that's another topic. OK, next test was to remove the louvers in front of the head on each side of the gas tank. Head temp = 235. Case temp 172. Oil temp = 162. They are staying OFF until it cools down in the Fall. Next test was to drop the oil and replace with Mobil 1 15w50 car oil. Got back to the shop and as feared, the car oil foamed. Not like a bubble bath or anything, but more then I would have liked to have seen. Didn't take temps, cause it was dropped right back out. Last test was a $12.00 bottle of Royal Purple Full Synthetic 20w50 Motorcycle oil. This stuff is supposed to be the cats a$$ for high revving bikes. Results: head temp 260 (louvers still OFF). Case temp = 200. Oil temp = 190. 8O 8O 8O . I think the Royal Purple is good oil, don't get me wrong, but maybe not for these engines. I think the heavier weight is the culpret. A heavier weight oil might move harder and somehow build up heat?? Maybe a heavier weight can't transfer heat as quickly?? I gotta brush up on my liquid thero-dynamics. Pauli, any insight?? In any event it's gonna get dropped back out in a few minutes :( . I am headed into town to find a motorcycle synthetic in a #w40 weight. I'll update once I find what I am looking for. Generally speaking, I WOULD NOT recommend you run a car oil in your bike, and I WOULD NOT recommend you stray away from the recommended oil weight for these bikes. __________________ First Chinabike: 2006 Roketa RSX200E Current Chinabikes: 2023 Titan DLX & 2022 Lifan KP Mini w/ 210cc BRT kit, 22 RWHP!
	0

05-26-2007, 12:06 PM	#2
red2003 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Northern Vermont, USA Posts: 1,247	Just got back from town with the bike, Royal Purple still in there. I ordered some Mobil 1 MXT4 Fully Synthetic 10w40 Four Stroke motorcycle oil. Wont be here until Tuesday. I'm still confused. I temped the engine again when I got back from town. It's the same 10 mile stretch. Head 265, case 175, oil 165. Maybe the engine needs a few miles to get used to the different oil?? Maybe these air cooled engines are just inconsistant in terms of temperatures?? The Royal Purple will be in there for a few more days, so I guess we'll see. I'll keep you all updated. __________________ First Chinabike: 2006 Roketa RSX200E Current Chinabikes: 2023 Titan DLX & 2022 Lifan KP Mini w/ 210cc BRT kit, 22 RWHP!
	0

05-26-2007, 12:27 PM	#3
AZ200cc Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Show Low Arizona Posts: 2,889	Royal Purple makes a great car oil..But so far it looks like good ol Valvoline is hanging in there. If anyone ever buys the bike off of You, You can tell them with confidence it has always had new oil in it ha ha __________________ <br />2001 Suzuki DR200SE<br />1997 Suzuki RM250 YIKES<br />1995 Yamaha Breeze 125 daughters<br />1991 Honda XR80r Restored<br />maybe a 2003 Yamaha TTR90
	0

05-26-2007, 01:36 PM	#6
red2003 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Northern Vermont, USA Posts: 1,247	No doubt header wrap would help. I'm still very surprised the temps are as low as they are for an air cooled engine. These China engines are pretty amazing. __________________ First Chinabike: 2006 Roketa RSX200E Current Chinabikes: 2023 Titan DLX & 2022 Lifan KP Mini w/ 210cc BRT kit, 22 RWHP!
	0

05-26-2007, 03:51 PM	#8
fatboy250 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: COLUMBIA, SC Posts: 973	Red, Good post! What were you're ambient temps during each test? Could explain the varied results with the same oil. Jason __________________ 2008 Jonway MC-70-150 2007 Roketa DB-07B (RSM-200E) 2006 Roketa DB-07A (RSX-200E) 1995 Kawasaki Concours (ZG1000)
	0

05-26-2007, 12:31 PM	#4
Ferrit Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Lawrenceburg, KY Posts: 178	All of my bikes during the last 10 years have run either Castrol Synth or Rotella synthetic after breakin with zero oil related problems.
	0

05-26-2007, 01:05 PM	#5
ob1 Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 499	When you settle in on the oil testing, try 1in header wrap on the exhaust header, and repeat the temperature tests. wrap the header to past the carb, higher fuel temps equal leaner mixtures and less power. The single most effective way to reduce engine temperatures is to keep heat that has left the engine from re-entering. Let the cooling fins do what they are designed for!
	0

05-26-2007, 03:40 PM	#7
IronFist Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada Posts: 2,585	Thanks Red. I'm removing the louvers today. Looking forward to the next test with synth. All HAIL RED!!!!! N2r.
	0

05-26-2007, 04:12 PM	#9
red2003 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Northern Vermont, USA Posts: 1,247	All tests were done this morning. Temp was a constant 65 degrees, low humidity. __________________ First Chinabike: 2006 Roketa RSX200E Current Chinabikes: 2023 Titan DLX & 2022 Lifan KP Mini w/ 210cc BRT kit, 22 RWHP!
	0

05-26-2007, 04:18 PM	#10
fatboy250 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: COLUMBIA, SC Posts: 973	Well I don't know then. Anybody else? Jason __________________ 2008 Jonway MC-70-150 2007 Roketa DB-07B (RSM-200E) 2006 Roketa DB-07A (RSX-200E) 1995 Kawasaki Concours (ZG1000)
	0

05-26-2007, 10:32 PM	#11
ambassador Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bradenton, Florida Posts: 1,200	Still running Mobil-1 20w-50 full synthetic for 4-Strokes... Used Rotella 15-40 for my break-in... Bike runs great... Interesting to know about the engine temps, as a Chef I use infer. temp gauges all the time and I gotta hold them there awhile to get a correct reading, NO doubt in my mind that Red did this so the temps are pretty low, Cool!!! More mods... __________________ 06 Lifan 200 GY-5
	0

05-27-2007, 01:28 PM	#12
NewEnglandTrails Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: The Quiet Corner of CT. Posts: 387	Ive been running rotella 15-40 since one of my earlier posts asking about the best oil to use in these.. bikes.. I noticed no mention of that, other than Ambassador's comment about using it as a break in oil.. Should I be considering a different type of oil after break in? NET __________________ 2006 HIBIRD QH200-st atv, 2005 Kinroad 200GY-01, 2006 Roketa DB-05, 1980 Kawasaki KZ440 LTD
	0

05-27-2007, 01:48 PM	#13
red2003 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Northern Vermont, USA Posts: 1,247	I put about 50 miles on the bike yesterday on 3 different trips. Royal Purple 20w50 still in there. Temp is holding a consistant head temp = 235, oil temp = 160 - 165. For whatever reason, the motor is now OK with the Royal Purple oil. I intentionally ran slow and easy on one trip, hard and fast / full throttle on another and it made no difference on engine temps what so ever. __________________ First Chinabike: 2006 Roketa RSX200E Current Chinabikes: 2023 Titan DLX & 2022 Lifan KP Mini w/ 210cc BRT kit, 22 RWHP!
	0

05-29-2007, 01:51 PM	#15
TheOtherRide Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Montana Posts: 403	Great work, Red! Surprising that the louvers would make that much difference. Was there any wind when you were testing? What altitude are you at? LOL, I don't have any (useful) input on the heavier weight oil running hotter, although I do like your theory. A follow-up test when it's 100 degrees F would be interesting... At any rate, I'll stick with the Rotella. Have to think about the louvers, though. :wink: __________________ ~Pauli~ Former 2006 Viva VX200SX owner
	0