[The CyberPoet]

I used K&N filter with a valvoline motorcycle 4-stroke 10W40 from autozone, I hope that's not a problem.

My experiences with the Valvoline indicate that while it's good when first going in, it breaks down from heat far faster than any other oil I've ever tried in the Katana's. Thus, while significantly cheaper, it needs to be changed more often in hot weather (enough so that it offset the savings in Florida's hotter months).

I'm not aware of any issues with the K&N oil filter, but I've never used one myself either

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

__________________________________________________ ________
CyberPoet's Katana Maintence and Upgrade Parts Offerings
The Best Metal Steel Aluminum Motorcycle Tire Valves in the World, plus lots of motorcycle & Katana (GSX600F / GSX750F) specific help files.

[scottynoface]

I like Amsoil. It's slipperier than AstroGlide

[The CyberPoet]

I like Amsoil. It's slipperier than AstroGlide

I didn't even know Amsoil made a product in that category!

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

__________________________________________________ ________
CyberPoet's Katana Maintence and Upgrade Parts Offerings
The Best Metal Steel Aluminum Motorcycle Tire Valves in the World, plus lots of motorcycle & Katana (GSX600F / GSX750F) specific help files.

[katman05]

I just switched to Rotella 5W40 synthetic.

[walwal63]

what is energy conserving oil? and why cant you use it? Not that I ever have, just curious what the difference is.

[The CyberPoet]

what is energy conserving oil? and why cant you use it? Not that I ever have, just curious what the difference is.

An "energy conserving" oil (marked in the lower ring of the API symbol) is an oil that contains special friction modifiers to make it slipperier and thus reduce metal-on-metal friction rates, especially in very tight-tolerance locations (such as where the rings mate to the cylinder walls). Although these changes only make for a very small fuel savings in cars designed to use such oils (1 to 3% typically, compared to earlier oils), over the entirety of the US vehicle fleet, the save literally millions (or even billions) of barrels of oil per year.

The problem is that these same friction modifiers will coat the metal plates (and often the friction plates) of wet-clutch motorcycle clutches, and thus leave the clutch plates slipping under load because of the modifiers. Thus, the only motorcycles that, by definition, can use such "energy conserving" oils are ones that either have separate wet-clutch reservoirs not shared with the main engine oil (certain HD's come to mind), or use a dry-clutch (most Ducati's, some MV Augustas, some Benelli's). As far as I know, no motorcycle manufacturer to date has engineered a shared-oil wet-clutch solution designed to work with energy conserving rated oils (although there are rumors BMW has been working on it).


Hope that's clear enough.

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

__________________________________________________ ________
CyberPoet's Katana Maintence and Upgrade Parts Offerings
The Best Metal Steel Aluminum Motorcycle Tire Valves in the World, plus lots of motorcycle & Katana (GSX600F / GSX750F) specific help files.

[paintmann111]

Are there any brands that you can find at the local wal-mart or advanced auto? I am sick of paying $45+ an oil change for the honda oil.

[The CyberPoet]

Are there any brands that you can find at the local wal-mart or advanced auto? I am sick of paying 4-5$ a quart for the honda oil.

$4 - $5 is cheap for motorcycle motor oil.
I typically pay $8 - $10 for my oils...

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

__________________________________________________ ________
CyberPoet's Katana Maintence and Upgrade Parts Offerings
The Best Metal Steel Aluminum Motorcycle Tire Valves in the World, plus lots of motorcycle & Katana (GSX600F / GSX750F) specific help files.

[aznthundrhed]

My experiences with the Valvoline indicate that while it's good when first going in, it breaks down from heat far faster than any other oil I've ever tried in the Katana's. Thus, while significantly cheaper, it needs to be changed more often in hot weather (enough so that it offset the savings in Florida's hotter months).

I'm not aware of any issues with the K&N oil filter, but I've never used one myself either

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

How would I tell when I need to change the oil in the Katana? Will it also turn darker in color? I had it in in there for about 150 miles now.

[The CyberPoet]

How would I tell when I need to change the oil in the Katana? Will it also turn darker in color? I had it in in there for about 150 miles now.

Well, obviously by the oil interchange. Aside from that, the only real way to know is to test the oil, either by sending a sample out, or by checking it yourself (should still feel slippery between your fingers compared to a new batch of the same brand/type oil). To make that easy, the Fumoto Valve (a petcock valve that replaces the oil drain bolt) does let you take out just a little bit to check it.

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

__________________________________________________ ________
CyberPoet's Katana Maintence and Upgrade Parts Offerings
The Best Metal Steel Aluminum Motorcycle Tire Valves in the World, plus lots of motorcycle & Katana (GSX600F / GSX750F) specific help files.

[katman05]

Are there any brands that you can find at the local wal-mart or advanced auto? I am sick of paying 4-5$ a quart for the honda oil.

Yeah, Shell Rotella 5w40 and it's fine for your clutch also. 1 gallon jug $23.

[kycycles]

kat oil

is it really any better than the generic stuff you can get at advance auto

[paintmann111]

I ment to say "find oil for 4-5$." I pay a lot more for that honda stuff.

[The CyberPoet]

is it really any better than the generic stuff you can get at advance auto

Yes.

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

__________________________________________________ ________
CyberPoet's Katana Maintence and Upgrade Parts Offerings
The Best Metal Steel Aluminum Motorcycle Tire Valves in the World, plus lots of motorcycle & Katana (GSX600F / GSX750F) specific help files.

[Ericker]

I use Mobil 1 full synthetic 10w-40 and an OEM filter. I have been happy with it thus far. $12 a quart but I will shell out the green if it helps extend the life of my Kat.

Also, I have a quick question. I recently received an EMGO oil filter for my Kat 750 from a buddy. Does anyone have any experience with these filters?