Switching to Synthetic Oil
Never switch an old engine to synthetic oil. It's OK to run synthetic right from the start, or after a full rebuild when all gaskets were replaced, but switching later will cause all sorts of problems outweighing whatever benefit you expected.
Most engines that have been run on mineral oil all their life, will start leaking through the gaskets left right and center a few 100 miles into the switch. If you're really unlucky a gasket will blow big time while you're riding along, dumping all the oil on your rear tire. Nice (not)!
And don't forget regular oil is a lot less expensive....!
Switching back from synthetic to mineral is even worse - I've seen engines blow up completely when switched from synthetic to regular oil.
Most engines that have been run on mineral oil all their life, will start leaking through the gaskets left right and center a few 100 miles into the switch. If you're really unlucky a gasket will blow big time while you're riding along, dumping all the oil on your rear tire. Nice (not)!
And don't forget regular oil is a lot less expensive....!
Switching back from synthetic to mineral is even worse - I've seen engines blow up completely when switched from synthetic to regular oil.
Eddie - Canada
Important Disclaimer
Advice given in this section may or may not be accurate, safe or wise. Always use common sense and when in doubt assume that any advice given herein is incorrect and liable to end in terminal engine or part failure and possible injury or death. www.ratbike.org and its contributors can accept no responsibility for anything, anywhere, regardless of cause.
