Triumphrat

ThruxtonMI · 04-30-2006

Time for the Thruxton's second oil change (they grow up so fast). Last year I bought the kit from New Bonneville but i am looking to save a few bucks if possible this time around. I remember some posts back a ways referring to some Fram and other equivalent oil filter that will fit. Anyone know the part numbers? Any reason not to use an off the shelf equivalent to the K&N filter or whatever Triumph sells? Also - any thoughts on synthetic oil that is excellent quality and easy to find?

monkeyboy · 04-30-2006

I just did one this weekend. KN-191 is the K&N number. I recommend the stock filter or better. I just don't like Fram quality.

As for the oil, I did some homeworg this weekend. I drained mine at a friends shop, and went out front to grab some oil. I had looked and saw that Triumph recommends API SH or higher.

Mobil 1 is SI
Motul is SG Semi and Full Syn
Torco is SG
Didn't have any Maxima, but I like their oil, so I will check.

What I found is that if you want oil speced to the manual, you are going to end up with the Mobil 1.

It runs so much smoother with the break in oil out.

monkeyboy · 04-30-2006

Maxima is SG too

CYNCRZR · 05-01-2006

"SH", "SG", "SI" ??? What does it all mean.

I've been running Motul 5100 semi-syn for about the last 7,500 miles. I like & use the K&N filter and change the oil every 1,500 miles (Oil Cooled, ridden hard, tough on oil).

I tried Mobile-1, Maxima, and the Motul. I like the Motul cuz the bikes shifts the best with it. The bike doesn't burn any oil @ 12,000 miles & since I'm about to check the valves I'll be able to have a look @ the cams and stuff.

The Mobile-1 is outrageously expensive, impossible to find locally (no trumpy dealer) and I thought the transmission seemed notchy with it.

just me .02

[ This message was edited by: CYNCRZR on 2006-05-01 09:03 ]

monkeyboy · 05-01-2006

Mine got notchy with the break in oil after 400 miles. The last 100 was misery.

The oil ratings go basically like this...

The S is for spark ignition (My diesel truck runs C for compression ignition)

The second letter is the alphabetical rating of the oil. They start with A and as they get new standards they just go to the next letter, so higher is better.

SG would be Spark Ignition level G, followed be SH, SI and so on.

Like I said earlier, all the other oils are SG, where the Mobil 1 is SI. The parts guy at So Cal Triumph told me that people use it, and usually do not have any problems, but it can cause clutch plates to swell and slip. Also could be detremental to the motor in other ways as it does not meet Truimphs spec.

Trust me, I would love to use Maxima like I do in my other toys, but until it meets Triumphs specs, I just can't.

hyperview · 05-01-2006

I took my bike in for an oil change and was going to use Mobil 1. My dealer told me that if you want to use synthetic, make sure it is engineered for motorcycles because the clutch on Triumphs use the same oil. The new synthetics have additives that are "too slick" can can cause problems with slipping of the clutch as well as swelling of the clutch disk. They recommended Maxima, which I used.

monkeyboy · 05-01-2006

This isn't the standard auto Mobil 1, it's specially made for bikes. If you get it at the dealer it even says Triumoh on the container.

I agree though, car oil is no good for the bikes.

Which Maxima did you go with? I saw none on their website that said it met API SH

CYNCRZR · 05-03-2006

Did a bit more research and while I don't know why Triumph recommends "SI" I found that REPSOL synthetic is rated "SJ" and Shell Advance is rated "SL", I'm gonna try one of them this time.

Personally, I think the Motul has worked fine in the Motor & Tranny, (12,000 miles & no oil consumption at all) but since I removed the air-box, I've started to experience what I think is a little clutch slippage at Higher RPM & power output. Could it be my 10+ additional ponies just overcame the fairly light clutch springs, or is the Motul causing the clutch slippage ?? I don't know, but both the Repsol & Shell oils say they're formulated for wet clutches & they're a bit less expensive than the Mobile 1, so I'll give one a go, probably the Shell since it may be easier to get in my little podunk town.

I'll be replacing the clutch & doing the 12,000 mile valve check, so I'll let y'all know what the innards look like after running Motul for at least the last 8,000 miles.

monkeyboy · 05-03-2006

Like I said, I haven't tried any of these. I brought it up with my dealer when I noticed that the oils didn't meet spec. This is what they told me.

I have access to Motul cheap through a shop that sponsors my offroad exploits. I use it in my 4 stroke quads. I love it and wish I could use it.

I would like to check into the Repsol. Maybe it will make me as fast as Nicky Hayden :-D

Thrux-ton-up · 05-03-2006

I've used this filter since the first change out - love it, not hard to clean, over 16000 trouble free miles - and it looks cool to boot. JCW

Scotts filter