Shell Rotella oil
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Shell Rotella oil - 10/8/2007 6:53:29 PM
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river rat
Posts: 25
Joined: 9/25/2007
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Anyone using Shell Rotella diesel oil in their bike? Would it be a good choice for the primary?
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 10/8/2007 6:54:27 PM
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nine11c2
Posts: 2235
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um, why?
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 10/8/2007 7:01:34 PM
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MACK
Posts: 1772
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SOME PEOPLE HAVE GREAT IMAGINATIONS AND I CANT IMAGINE WHY YOU WOULD WANT A DIESEL OIL IN YOUR PRIMARY. I KNOW IT MUST BE A GOOD REASON, PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE,ENLIGHTEN ME.
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 10/8/2007 7:50:38 PM
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pococj
Outstanding HDF Member
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I've run it during the winter a couple times. Too thin for my area during any other time of year. Never tried it in the primary 'cause I run mine dry. No reason it wouldn't work, though. It's an excellent oil and retains its viscosity better than most oils.
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 10/9/2007 6:03:54 AM
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EVOrider
Posts: 1191
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I've used standard 15w40 diesel oil in the engine.....however, ONLY for winter months though. When the weather gets to around 40 degrees or lower and stays that way.....I put 15w40 in. When, it warms back up.....20w50 gets dumped back in.
I used 15w40 in the primary extensively. It works really well in there. Then again, any 10w40 through 20w50 works just as good.
I've used Rotella, Motorcraft, Castrol, and even store brand diesel oils......I've seen no difference.
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 10/9/2007 1:12:29 PM
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extech
Posts: 597
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I don't see any benefit running rotella. Other than if it's free.....?
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 10/9/2007 5:49:09 PM
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EVOrider
Posts: 1191
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quote:
ORIGINAL: extech
I don't see any benefit running rotella. Other than if it's free.....?
Sure there is a benefit.......one quart of Harley's Formula Plus is about the price of two or three quarts of Rotella 15w40 diesel oil.
The primary does not require any special expensive magic potion.
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1998 Electra Glide Ultra Classic EFI
1998 Electra Glide Classic
1998 FXDL Low Rider
1999 FXDS-CONV- SOLD http://www.hdtrader.com/56805
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t217/teaffns/DSC00217.jpg
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 10/9/2007 7:17:42 PM
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river rat
Posts: 25
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Are there any addatives in Rotella that could be considered harmful to the engine or primary. Or maybe be beneficial?
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 10/9/2007 7:29:27 PM
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SLC Rider
Posts: 88
Joined: 7/6/2007
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I use Rotella Diesel in my crank during this time of year. The weather is cooling down and I see no problems using it. The owners manual actually says diesel oil is ok. People spend too much time debating oil. Pretty much ANY oil will work ( as long as its the right grade). The key is regular oil changes. I have better oil pressure with the rotella than I do with my Valvoline 20W50 Motorcycle Oil I run in the summer, but it is most likely due to how cold it is now.
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 10/15/2007 7:14:38 PM
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Abysalone
Posts: 80
Joined: 10/9/2007
From: Moyock, NC
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From what ive read the Rotella has more zinc and something else than regular oils. This helps reduce wear, but most companies have phased out the majority of zinc and the other additive due to emissions regulations. Ill see if I can find the site. It something like "bob the oil guy".com
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 10/17/2007 7:34:25 AM
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Mikey 1450
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According to what I have read, the diesels oils (ratings :cf, cf4 etc) are tested at higher temps, heavier loads and have more detergents than automovitve oils ( rating: sj).
< Message edited by Mikey 1450 -- 10/17/2007 9:15:11 AM >
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 10/17/2007 10:12:56 AM
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Lost1
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HD specs Diesel Engine Oil in the event you can't find "HD" brand oil. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using Rotella, Delo, Delvac, Ursa, Cat, Premium Blue, or other DEO in a HD engine, and you can find many used oil analyses on oil-specific websites that prove it's an excellent oil for bikes.
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 10/26/2007 8:15:24 PM
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supturb89
Posts: 18
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Lost1
HD specs Diesel Engine Oil in the event you can't find "HD" brand oil. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using Rotella, Delo, Delvac, Ursa, Cat, Premium Blue, or other DEO in a HD engine, and you can find many used oil analyses on oil-specific websites that prove it's an excellent oil for bikes.
What about the Rotella synthetic 5w40? Would this be an option as well?
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 10/26/2007 8:45:00 PM
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The Beastmaster
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From: Kennesaw, GA
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I'd run Rotella 15-40 or Chevron Delo 400 15-40 in dang near any engine on the planet. Those are probably the two toughest dino oils known to man.
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 10/26/2007 9:39:23 PM
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Lost1
Posts: 1492
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quote:
ORIGINAL: supturb89
quote:
ORIGINAL: Lost1
HD specs Diesel Engine Oil in the event you can't find "HD" brand oil. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using Rotella, Delo, Delvac, Ursa, Cat, Premium Blue, or other DEO in a HD engine, and you can find many used oil analyses on oil-specific websites that prove it's an excellent oil for bikes.
What about the Rotella synthetic 5w40? Would this be an option as well?
Yes. I sent an email to Shell asking them that very question, and they answered back saying that it was fine to run 5W-40 synthetic Rotella in the winter & cooler months, but to go back to a "X"W-50 in summer.
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 10/27/2007 7:14:35 AM
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supturb89
Posts: 18
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Lost1
quote:
ORIGINAL: supturb89
quote:
ORIGINAL: Lost1
HD specs Diesel Engine Oil in the event you can't find "HD" brand oil. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using Rotella, Delo, Delvac, Ursa, Cat, Premium Blue, or other DEO in a HD engine, and you can find many used oil analyses on oil-specific websites that prove it's an excellent oil for bikes.
What about the Rotella synthetic 5w40? Would this be an option as well?
Yes. I sent an email to Shell asking them that very question, and they answered back saying that it was fine to run 5W-40 synthetic Rotella in the winter & cooler months, but to go back to a "X"W-50 in summer.
Thanks Lost1....I ran it in my kawi V-twin...plan on switching back and forth from the rotella to the mobil 20w-50 in the winter and summer months.
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 10/27/2007 7:30:39 AM
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clutchglass
Posts: 382
Joined: 4/11/2006
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SLC,
I'm curious:
- Have you had that 94 electra glide since new?
- Has it been valvoline all the way?
- What major maintenance have you had to do?
By the way, I disagree with you about the great oil debate...but I do have to acknowledge, I have a buddy in Texas I used to debate this with all the time. He claimed you don't even need to change oil at all...except for adding some when you change the filter twice a year. He had a 94 FLHS and a late 80s model toyota (that had over 200,000 miles on it), and both ran great under his "maintenance" (or lack there of) program. Every time we had this debate...he'd point to one of those rides...and I'd go get another beer & change the subject when I got back.
Thanks
-clutch-
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 11/3/2007 8:14:07 AM
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big cahuna
Posts: 356
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I've done alot of reading about shells rotella T oil. and there advertising is about the same as mobils ,amsoils or anyone elses. the thing that sticks in my head is this oil is made for and used by some of the hardest working vehicals on the road. big diesel trucks that will haul 80,000 lbs up and down mountains on a daily basis. they swear by it for good reason it works. now if your bike manufacturer says to use a 10w40 thru 20w50 wt oil it falls in that range and should hold up to any abuse your hot rod "100" horsepower monster could give it. it meets any requirement for usage and the best part its around $10 a gallon.
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 11/17/2007 7:49:20 PM
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mtclassic
Posts: 345
Joined: 10/26/2007
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I use both 5-40 and 15-40 rotella and also mobil 20-50 vtwin oil. I have sent in oil samples to blackstone labs on several occassions and both rotellas test out nearly identical to the Mobil vtwin in all catagories. The Rotellas maintain there viscosity where the vtwin 20-50 drops down to the Rotellas level so for all intent purposes your motor will not be able to tell the difference.
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 11/20/2007 9:39:57 AM
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KBFXDLI
Posts: 8062
Joined: 2/4/2006
From: Cleveland, Ohio USA
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You can use it and if you look at Walmart you may even be able to get a HDEO synthetic cheaper than the MC rated synthetics which should be just as good.
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 11/24/2007 10:10:12 PM
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Kozak
Posts: 147
Joined: 11/14/2007
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at the zrxoa.net alot of guys run their zrx's on rotella synthetic
i used it for a few oil changes myself. those bikes rev to 10500 and people ride em hard no worries.
wally world - 15 bucks for a gallon of rotella synth,. same $$ as honda regular cycle oil, which aint made by citgo/HD.
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 11/25/2007 9:17:06 AM
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iclick
Posts: 3529
Joined: 9/14/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: river rat
Anyone using Shell Rotella diesel oil in their bike?
Not me, but it would be okay if the viscosity was in accordance with HD specs, which it isn't unless used in cold weather. Why not use Mobil 1 15w50 instead, which likely costs little more?
quote:
Would it be a good choice for the primary?
Yes, but a cheaper fossil engine oil will likely do as well. The primary is not a high-tech environment and doesn't need a high-tech oil.
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 12/16/2007 9:51:47 AM
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capnez
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i switched from mobile 1 v twin oil to rotella syn $16 a gal. at wally world it has no fritction modifires and is used in gmc and cummins wet clutches in marine uses and has more cleaning agents that can not be used in cars with cat converters
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< Message edited by capnez -- 12/16/2007 1:35:07 PM >
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 3/18/2008 9:54:14 PM
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moblmowr
Posts: 79
Joined: 2/19/2008
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I live in D/FW,Texas, drive a 97 F 250 Power Stroke diesel and I will only put the Shell Rotella oil in if its the only oil I can get. 25 miles after changing oil & filter it looks as black and dirty as when I changed it. It makes my truck louder and rattle more and to me it just doesn't hold up as good as the Chevron Delo and Mobil Delvac. I bought my truck new and it has 277,000 miles on it with only one valve cover taken off back around when it only had 22,000 to change a injector under warranty. I try to change it every 3000 to 5000 but at over $40 a change and doing it every 2 months busted my wallet. I have gone close to 18,000 miles a couple of times before I could afford to change it and on an average its more like 7000 to 10,000 miles between changes always changing the filter with the oil. I go 20k to 30k on the fuel filter. The motor still runs like a bat out of hell and will probably go another 200,000 miles. Of course the last 1.5 months it has seen much road time since I bought my 98 LR and with the price of diesel here at $4 a gallon and rising, it has earned this well deserved rest. In summation, I think the Shell Rotella T sucks!
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 3/21/2008 5:56:57 PM
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mp
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Modern engine oil is supposed to get dirty. It has detergents in it to clean your engine. If the Shell oil gets dirtier, that means it's doing its job better. The previous oil must not have been doing an adequate job of removing contaminants from your engine.
I think 15W40 oil would work fine in the summer in a Harley Evo or Twin Cam engine, maybe not so well in the older engines. But 20w50 works fine, too, so that's what I've always used.
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When I ride I'm exactly in the moment........it's like meditation. I'm in the flow."
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 3/23/2008 1:24:30 PM
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birdmove
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Joined: 10/31/2006
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When they took, or reduced, the anti-wear additives to the car oils in order to prolong the life of catalytic converters, they didn't remove those same additives from the "diesel" motor oils.Thats a good reason to use the diesel oils in a motorcycle.Most diesels (that is the big semis) usually run 10,000 miles between oil changes.The smaller diesel trucks, like the delivery trucks in town, often go 6,000 miles.Most of my own air cooled motorcycles that I've owned over the years I may change every 1000 miles-especially in the summer.Interestingly, on a water cooled engine, since they often don't get up to full operating temps in the cold winter (I ride year round), they may not burn off all the moisture collected in the sump, so I change oil every 1000 miles in the winter, and 2000 in the summer.This moisture can be seen as a white milky looking substance in the oil level window and on the top of the fill cap.I have a short 15 mile round trip commute, so I do have this problem on a water cooled bike I have.Problem doesn't exist in warmer weather.I don't use the automotive oil anymore in my motorcycles since they removed the "anti wear" additves.I'll either use the diesel oils like Delo 400,Rotella, or use "motorcycle" oil.HDs and the older Britbikes like my Royal Enfield use seperate oil in the engine,trans,and primary.I would never use an oil with "friction modifiers or additives" in the primary due to clutch slippage.You can't use those oils in any Japanese bike either, because that same oil lubes the clutch plates.Theoretically, it should be a good thing to have three seperate oils as in an HD, because you can choose the "best" for each purpose instead of one oil does it all like in the metric bikes.
Of course, some guys just buy the absolute cheapest oil money can buy, as in Wally Worlds "generic" auto oil, and seem to be getting by.In my Royal Enfield I'll run an 85-90 wt gear oil in the trans, and a 20-50 MC oil in the engine and primary.In my Japanes bikes, I'm running a diesel oil with the wear additives still in it.
jon
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RE: Shell Rotella oil - 3/23/2008 7:45:20 PM
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smitty901
Posts: 507
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ok for primary not the best choise for the engine it would be ok if you broke down could not get better motorcycle oil
Good true sny motorcycle oil is best for engine like M1 VTWIN 20/50
Research will give you all the anser you seek and also 50 more questions
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