Oil viscosity 20w50 vs 50

[Alfatango1]

Here's something that almost everyone here has missed. Oil is not primarily in our engines to lubricate. It is there to remove heat.

 

[jaimz]

I agree, I wouldn't say that oil isn't primarily for lubrication. Because it is primarily for lubrication, in addition to providing a (minimal) cooling. Not even cooling really, more like heat dispersion.

If you run the engine for three hours I don't see how oils could be used for any type of heat removal! That oil is going to be HOT (and 50 weight )

All joking aside, the oil does provide heat dispersion. Putting it in the swingarm away from both hot engine and exhaust is pure genius. Cannondale runs oil through the tube frame of thier four-wheelers.

Actually, on my bike my exhaust tip points out the right side instead of the left, I'd like to think that helps remove heat from the oil chamber in the swing arm.

 

[XRorXB]

Actually, on my bike my exhaust tip points out the right side instead of the left, I'd like to think that helps remove heat from the oil chamber in the swing arm.

I like the way you think.

 

[Sirius815]

In response to Alfatango: If oil's primary function isn't to lubricate, but to cool I'm sure there are many other fluids out there that will do a much better function of cooling while providing lubrication as a secondary function.

 

[Theycallmecrash]

Alfatango, have you replaced your internal workings with sealed ball bearing by chance, as well as perform regular greasing of other metal to metal contacts inside your engine? Seems high maintenance to me, so ill keep the conventional primary oiling system as it is, 20w50.

Jk, but if we miss understood enlighten plz

 

[Alfatango1]

20w/50 is great for our bikes but the biggest killer of internal combustion engines are heat not friction. Sure we want lubrication between any parts that touch but excessive heat is your worst enemy.

 

[Sirius815]

I agree it's the biggest killer. But oil PRIMARY function isn't cooling as you've stated. I'm sure if you drained all the oil from your engine it would fail due to friction, not heat...Unless of course you mean the heat build up due to friction...

 

[stymoszu]

My '07 STT gets used primarily for a 3-4 km commute 5 days a week, plus the odd weekend leg stretch. Ive been running Lucas 20w50 synthetic for about a year (2 changes) but having read a little on oils and and soaking in forum wisdoms, I decided to get some Penrite 0w50 which I plan to run in the crank. Will stick to the Lucas in the primary for now just to see what works, but I'm about to drop the Penrite in now and see how it compares. Sydney in spring (yes its the southern hemisphere) certainly doesn't warrant the 0w50, but with the ambient temperature of the oil at startup being nowhere near the 0w viscosity at 20c degrees, and following the thinking in the Bob e oil guy 108 lesson; I figured what the hell.

Will let you know how I get on.