Geez, I hate to be the guy to start this but... 10W-50...?

[radguzzi]

So I got my Buddy's V50 III running great, new throttle cables, all balanced and dialed in and it has been sold.  The current owner would like to have the fluids changed to set a maintenance baseline, brake pads and a general check up... 
No problem... except for that pesky 10W-50 engine oil that the manual calls for...? ? ?

I have never heard of that viscosity...   

The local Napa tells me that they can get some but are there any substitutes..?  This should also Not be synthetic.

Thanks and sorry..

Rob

[pete roper]

Any decent oil with similar viscosity ratings will be just fine.

[Bonaventure]

Tough to achieve that wide of a viscosity spread without some synthetic base stock on board.  First 10W50 that comes to mind is Castrol Power RS 4T, but it's classed as synthetic and contains a Group III (hydro-isomerized) petroleum base stock.  There was a place on Amazon that used to sell it by the case that worked out to about US $6.50/liter...

[Lannis]

The local Napa tells me that they can get some ....

Rob

That'd be what I'd do rather than try to guess higher or lower on the viscosity.    Local, NAPA, sounds like a winner to me .... ?

Lannis

[radguzzi]

Lannis,
I'll stop in when we get home from playing tourist today...  I did not ask when I was there a couple of days ago whether it us dino or synthetic.

Find out when I get back to town.

Thanks,
Rob

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I'm running this in the Morini now, IMO would be perfect for the V50 as well:
https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/valvoline-vr1-racing-20w50-motor-oil-vv211/8020086-P

[RinkRat II]

 It mostly depends on the climate you live in. There should be a page in the manual that shows different viscosities depending on normal temperatures you'll be using the bike in. Along with the proper rating (SE SF SG etc) this will put you in the ballpark. I know 15w50 is readily available in my area,yours may vary.

     Paul B

[bad Chad]

Modern synthetics do not cause seal failure.

[danomar]

I know 15w50 is readily available in my area,yours may vary.

15W/50 is what I used when I could source it. I also have used both 20W/50 and 10W/40: If it was winter or cooler weather, I used 10W/40, but most modern 10W/40s are fine for hot weather, too. It is now my preference for small-block Guzzis and my Moto Morini.

Remember that the small blocks rely on oil mist in addition to pumped oil to lubricate the valvetrain, so it is worth using a lighter oil if possible. That said, 20W/50 will probably be fine all year, too. I never had issues with 20W/50.

The comment about wide-range viscosity oil is familiar: More than one expert told me that the better iterations of motor oils work within a narrower range of weights, so I would lean toward 10W/40 than 10W/50, for example.

Let the debate continue!
 

[Arizona Wayne]

When I bought my used `81 CX100 back in `84 it said to use Castrol 10W-50 oil.  Wasn't any around in the USA then.  So in the winter time I used Walmart 10W-40 dino and in the summer WM 20W-50. The former owner had used Kendall 20W-50. I changed the oil every 3K miles, the filter every 9K miles as recommended.  Very little sludge in the sump when I inspected it.  100,000 miles later the motor is fine.    Don't over react. 

[normzone]

the better iterations of motor oils work within a narrower range of weights, so I would lean toward 10W/40 than 10W/50, for example. Let the debate continue!

That makes sense - the 05 - 70 weight stuff and it's relatives always seemed like black magic to me.   

[Idontwantapickle]

  Don't over react. 

Ha!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDAmPIq29ro


Good advice all around. In the heat 20w50 is fine but if you can get the exact stuff then you will be happy just knowing you went the extra mile for your beloved goose.

Hunter

[rocker59]

So I got my Buddy's V50 III running great, new throttle cables, all balanced and dialed in and it has been sold.  The current owner would like to have the fluids changed to set a maintenance baseline, brake pads and a general check up... 
No problem... except for that pesky 10W-50 engine oil that the manual calls for...? ? ?

I have never heard of that viscosity...   

The local Napa tells me that they can get some but are there any substitutes..?  This should also Not be synthetic.

Thanks and sorry..

Rob

Use Mobil-1 20w50 V-Twin.  It has the most ZDDP (zinc and phosphorus) of any oil out there.  It's formulated for air-cooled motorcycle engines.

As a second choice, use the gray cap Mobil-1 15w50.

[Muzz]

There was a time when 10w60 was like rockinghorse dung and made of Unobtanium when I had to use the Morris Lubricants V-Twin 10w50 in the Breva. 3 oil changes later and it still runs perfectly. Now on the Penrite 10w60 for motorcycles; Penrite being an Ozzie firm that, as well as having all types of oil, also specialize in making oils specific to a particular vehicle use. e.g. vintage cars and aircooled V-twin bikes with flat tappet engines such as the Guzzi.

Good gnus for me is that the Supercheap autoparts shop just down the road has just revamped it's Penrite range and now has it on the shelf without having to order it in.

Of course, with the sump only holding 1.8 lits. I get three oil changes from a 5lit. pack. Another  .

[Mackers]

Of course, with the sump only holding 1.8 lits. I get three oil changes from a 5lit. pack.

You do different maths in NZ!

[Muzz]

You do different maths in NZ!

Ok, 0.4 out, but a bit of carry over and it's close.