My barn find 1978 Iron Head Sportster won't start. Need advice.
#91
I have some friends that have some vintage Japanese bikes and they alerted me to the lack of zinc in modern oil. An on-line search for the preferred oil for this type of iron head proved to be very controversial. There seems to be no consensus on that. I have elected to go with Kendall GT-1 20w50 with zinc. I'm sure I will get lambasted for that choice but the reason I chose it made sense with what I read on-line. As for gas, I will run Shell V-Nitro 91 octane with no ethanol.
Valvoline 50wt ,read up on it ....
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; 06-05-2019 at 10:57 PM.
#92
My understanding is the Kendall GT-1 multigrade oil with zinc (for example) is a race oil that withstands hotter temperatures and a greater variety of weather temperatures. Iron heads supposedly run cooler though than let's says Evo's. I live in Canada where cooler temperatures are the norm, so a multi grade is better suited to our temps than if I was in Arizona for example. Modern oil (with zinc) are allegedly far superior than the old school single grade oils. As I have mentioned this is a very controversial topic and is endlessly debatable.
#93
The following 4 users liked this post by TwiZted Biker:
#94
#95
#96
Once again, TwiZted Biker is trying to give you good advice on the engine oil and you are going another route. A bunch of Gents here in the forums rode Ironheads for years but what do we know. Valvoline 50W was all I ran in mine.....for the 7 years I owned it. There were a few exceptions, when I was in the deep south, I ran 60W.
But you know more than we do, go ahead with that 20W50 <sarcasm>
But you know more than we do, go ahead with that 20W50 <sarcasm>
The following users liked this post:
Ron750 (04-02-2020)
#97
Just checking in on this **** show and I see it has turned into an oil thread.
Exactly why I bailed. From the feedback it was plain to see the OP only wants what he wants and doesn't care enough to post up the results after receiving valuable advice/information. Or even care enough about the bike to do something as simple as changing the ancient oil before riding it. Compulsive need for instant gratification combined with being self absorbed does not make me want to help.
Just keep doing it your way "Kewlthing". I'm sure it will all work out.
Just keep doing it your way "Kewlthing". I'm sure it will all work out.
#98
Once again, TwiZted Biker is trying to give you good advice on the engine oil and you are going another route. A bunch of Gents here in the forums rode Ironheads for years but what do we know. Valvoline 50W was all I ran in mine.....for the 7 years I owned it. There were a few exceptions, when I was in the deep south, I ran 60W.
But you know more than we do, go ahead with that 20W50 <sarcasm>
But you know more than we do, go ahead with that 20W50 <sarcasm>
#100
Well some of the posts were a little more critical of me than they should have been. I don't know where this line of thought about me not listening came about. I am listening intently and am for the most part following the advice. The problem is there is too much advice and a lot of it contradicts some of the other advice I was given. I've been biking since 1978 and owned many bikes that were British, Japanese, and American. This bike is a little unique though and I just need some advice and some guidance but I am mechanically inclined and can do things with this bike to a certain degree. Sometimes I cross a line into uncharted waters though and I just need some simple advice to steer me on where to go.
Dude I'll be blunt here, you are cherry picking what you want to hear and going your own merry way regardless of sound advice given by professional bike mechanics that have been doing exactly this type of work since the 70's ourselves. What the blue f**k would a bunch of import riders know about old harley's ? Two very different animals with very different maintenance and care requirements, the lines do not cross up very well in this case.
Ment what I said please do enjoy the bike but I'm a spectator in here from now on, you are going to do exactly what you want so just post up the results as this goes on and quit asking for guidance you have no intentions of remotely listening to even over something as bone simple as correct oil for a 60's era machine, you got your ricer buddies for that.
The following 6 users liked this post by TwiZted Biker:
InnishMoor (04-02-2020),
martinj (06-06-2019),
nevada72 (06-06-2019),
not_so_newb (06-07-2019),
nytryder (06-08-2019),
and 1 others liked this post.