[Lokis Tyro]

I'll admit I've been fooled by some products out there but I use some that I think really do what they claim to. Right now I use a few made by Lucas (I don't work for them or am associated with them in any way). I'm using their fuel treatment which increases mpgs and lubricates upper cylinders. It pays for itself in most cases and has smoothed out any engine I've tried it on so far. I use their oil stabilizer too but they could be pulling a fast one on me and I'd never know.

I'm curious of what products you guys and gals are using that you think or know make the difference, or don't and end up on the shelf indefinitely. What about homemade recipes like 50/50 acetone and ATF for penetrating oil? Got any special brews?

 

[Cropper]

Hey thats a good idea Lokis, subscribed for more!

 

[Lokis Tyro]

Thanks, Cropper. I wish I could change the title though. I thought I could edit it when I came up with something more clever. It should read Snake Oil or: how I learned to stop worrying and love the additive. Oh well

 

[tekriter]

One additive that I don't understand is the fuel injector cleaners you put in your fuel tank. In my car, I have a 15 US gallon tank. If I put a 12 ounce bottle of the cleaner in a full tank of gas per the instructions, how in the world can such a small amount of cleaner do any good?

 

[Ortega]

not exactly sure how it works but it has to be doing something, i guess they found what ever mixture it is they recommend to be potent enough.

 

[Cropper]

One additive that I don't understand is the fuel injector cleaners you put in your fuel tank. In my car, I have a 15 US gallon tank. If I put a 12 ounce bottle of the cleaner in a full tank of gas per the instructions, how in the world can such a small amount of cleaner do any good?

Thats why I only buy good gas, good gas actually has additives already mixed in. Detergent gas they call it. With modern cars good gas is a MUST, especially if its direct injected!

Chevron with Techron YO

 

[mike]

another reason for planning your trips so you don't have to depend on some sketchy gas station for gas

 

[Lokis Tyro]

Right, it truly sucks to get bad gas especially if you can't dump or drain it to use in a lawn mower instead. Even the stuff I keep around for weeks with Sta-bil is better than the junk at some of the stations around me. I've never tried Chevron gas. I can't think of any stations around me. I've tried Shell gas with all their fancy stuff and it was okay but my car didn't really care for it much. The best mileage and best running fuel I've gotten was from a local small-town Citgo. After I have the Lucas stuff in that it's no contest, but that gas station is now out of my way 99% of the time I've been using BP lately (poor planning) and it's junk imo. Runs like poo in my scooter. Lucas helps, a lot, but it could still be better.
Anybody ever use sea foam? I have a time or two and wasn't really impressed.

 

[Ortega]

Right, it truly sucks to get bad gas especially if you can't dump or drain it to use in a lawn mower instead. Even the stuff I keep around for weeks with Sta-bil is better than the junk at some of the stations around me. I've never tried Chevron gas. I can't think of any stations around me. I've tried Shell gas with all their fancy stuff and it was okay but my car didn't really care for it much. The best mileage and best running fuel I've gotten was from a local small-town Citgo. After I have the Lucas stuff in that it's no contest, but that gas station is now out of my way 99% of the time I've been using BP lately (poor planning) and it's junk imo. Runs like poo in my scooter. Lucas helps, a lot, but it could still be better.
Anybody ever use sea foam? I have a time or two and wasn't really impressed.

unless you have your own pit crew to come to your rescue

 

[westgl]

In my Carb'd Bikes I have I use about a half quart of any ATF in a full tank about 5 gallons of Gas, Make a bike engine
run very smooth, lubes top end and cleans and lubes fuel system.
I also use ATF in engine crank case, to remove the gunk in a well used engine that has a sludge build up.

I have also made a ATF & diesel fuel mix to successfully unfreeze a few frozen Goldwing engines, that are still running today.

 

[Dripkit]

I'm running just a small amount of RSR RanUp in my engine oil. I'm noticing a little more pep and less engine braking.

 

[kool-aide]

2 stroke marine oil, super tech from wal mart. there are a couple of guys at ls1.com that have done a ton of research on adding this to the fuel. the downside, lol, you have to find the right ratio for your engine and tank size. I know on the ls1 I think the mix was 1 ounce per 5 gallons, there about. it is the additives of the marine version that was the benefit, and wal mart super tech was dirt cheap.


one thing to remember is, additives are petroleum based harsh chemicals. not to be used too much. whether your talking sea foam, b12, lucas, stp, what have you. they are designed to break down the bad stuff, and that is harsh. these are not things you should run all the time, or so people have said. personally I use b12, cost versus benefit. I used to use the super tech mix, but my ls1 is gone. I also use gunk motor flush once every couple of years, on my cars.


on my bikes, i have heard never use additives on the oil for the wet clutches. as far as gas, an ounce of b12 per 1-1.5 gallons, maybe once or twice in a year. i used to have carb bikes. i never had a problem with clogs, "gumming, etc. but i don't need to winter ize either. i could leave my v-star sit for 2 or 3 months and no carb issues at all.


i have heard if you want to know what oil to run in an engine. you do a black oil test. otherwise it is pure guess and more than likely no benefit. each driver and driving condition is different. the back oil test is the only way to know what is best.


for gas, well, i think it is just what ever makes you feel good. people swear by sea foam. people swear by lucas. people swear they are getting bad gas, lol.... i think much is rumor and myth. i think all the products out there are probably near each other and neck and neck. i doubt you good go too wrong with anything. considering there may be no benefit at all from any of them, lol....hard to screw up.

 

[jmerod58]

Not sure if this question belongs here or not, but what brands of engine oil are some of you using or what do some of you recommend? I guess if I take it to the dealer they will use whatever is specified in the manual, or can I ask them to use what I want?

 

[MotoMike]

Not sure if this question belongs here or not, but what brands of engine oil are some of you using or what do some of you recommend? I guess if I take it to the dealer they will use whatever is specified in the manual, or can I ask them to use what I want?

I'm using Valvoline 4T 10W-40 Synthetic Motorcycle oil. I also do my own oil changes and regular services. If you take your bike to a dealer for oil changes, you'll be pretty much limited to what they sell. Most Honda dealers will more than likely use Honda GN4 mineral oil for oil changes, unless you specify that you want something different, like a synthetic oil.


As for the topic of Oil & Fuel Additives, I don't believe they are necessary if you're using good oil and a top tier gasoline to begin with. I do use some Stabil in the gas tank this time of year, as I don't get out and ride the CBR on a regular basis.

 

[jmerod58]

I'm using Valvoline 4T 10W-40 Synthetic Motorcycle oil.

I do use some Stabil in the gas tank this time of year, as I don't get out and ride the CBR on a regular basis.

Thanks, glad you responded so I know what the pros use

I have been using sta-bil as well during these cold months that occasionally get up in the 50's.

 

[Fanatic]

On my 600 mile service, I told the dealer to stay with their default oil and filter... Which is Honda's genuine recommended (OEM). Oil and filter change is around $60 and the place where I go does it right in front of me where I see their job. May or may not squeeze an extra one in at 4k miles, and the next service shows to be at 8k miles. Fyi, I keep it simple and don't use any extra additives.

 

[kool-aide]

my GF and I did the Honda GN4 on the 600 mile oil as well. our next oil will be the Honda full syn. I think I will look at Moto Mike's oil choice as well, Valvoline 4T 10W-40 Synthetic Motorcycle oil. My GF and I agreed we would run full syn in our bikes.

 

[AJ Nin]

With carbs, I think it probably helps get dirt and varnish out of the jets faster if you use some of the solvents, but you can do it also by just riding the bike and putting some miles on it. That's been my experience with carbs. Of course the quickest thing to do is take the carb apart and clean the jets, but often you only need to go through a couple tanks of gas with some moderate riding cause what gets them gummed up is people not riding the bike enough. I don't plan on putting any additives in my CB300F other than what comes in the Premium gas I use.

 

[nayr14]

Honda recommends 10W-30 so I've been using Rotella T5 10W-30, even though it's not JASO-MA certified. From what I've gathered it apparently meets the specifications (or close enough). I'm sticking with the Honda oil filter since they're cheap and filter per Honda specs.

 

[jmerod58]

So on the topic of oil changes, I was gonna give her an oil change tomorrow morning and I was just curious as to what additional parts I may need besides the oil filter and, obviously, oil. Is there a gasket or anything that I need to compliment the filter maybe?