Maintenance & Technical > KX500 Original

Castor Based Premix - who's using it?

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streetsleeper:
Hallo all KX500 Riders,
I'm new on your site and have read up on some basic stuff to get me going. This is a typical newbie topic, because I know sweet FA about KX500s. It’s just so you can get to know me really. Some threads are a little controversial but at least they provoke debate, and although of course some people don't just have opinions, but are opinionated, they're interesting. The more polemical and contentious a subject, such as the one below, the more people will wade in with their tuppence-ha'penny worth. I shan't argue with anyone, but would like to hear what you have to say because although 2 strokes are not new to me, KX500s very much are. I read the following topic, Re: ATF as Gear Lube – and I commented because it answered someone's question. It also gave me an idea for a new topic. Here's what I had to say in answer to, Re: ATF as Gear Lube: This thread runs back years and more than a few people have asked "What is it that Kawasaki recommends for the transmission?" Well, on page 11 dieselbeef has put up a link to www.bobistheoilman.com. Bob’s paper is very informative and comprehensive and here's your answer. Under Hydrocracking (Predominately Group II) he writes the following: "Chevron commercialized this technology for fuels production in the late 1950’s. In 1969 the first hydrocracker for Base Oil Manufacturing was commercialized in Idemitsu Kosan Company’s Chiba Refinery using technology licensed by Gulf." So, Idemitsu is the oil that Kawasaki recommended.
        I've taken a photo of my '87 KX500 airbox, and it still has the original sticker on it recommending Idemitsu oil. The KX hasn’t been used for burros’ years, and has spent its life in Mexico; where we live it’s a semi-desert environment. The bike has suffered what Foxx4Beaver calls "Mexican Modifications" - I would also call it "Mexican Malpractice" - but one thing it hasn't suffered from is corrosion, it still has nearly all the original stickers on it.
        Of course Idemitsu oil isn't available everywhere. If you live in the UK, New Zealand or Australia, or on the Indian Subcontinent, Castrol is often the oil of choice, in part for historical reasons. Castrol also make some of, if not the best oil available and getting hold of castor based oil in the UK is a doddle, because historically it's been popular. (If I were still there I’d choose R40 or a more modern castor based equivalent.) Similarly people in America often choose Amsoil because it's American and available. I'm sure you can buy Amsoil in the UK, but I never saw it sold locally to where I lived.
        I see so much written by people on this subject, but very little of it is subjective; many just repeat what they've read or heard - a lot of it simply old wives' tales. I've used it in all my 2 strokes, though not exclusively (and also mixed it with other 2T oils) for well over 30 years. I’ve read that castor oil gets under the rings, causes gumminess (especially in the KIPS valves), and leaves deposits. In my experience it’s true that surfaces get an even, sooty-coloured deposit (castor varnish that keeps on lubricating), but that’ll just wipe off with pure petrol or white spirits with a bit of elbow grease – it doesn’t harm anything and shouldn’t be a problem in motocross bikes that are regularly serviced. Castor oil also mixes with modern synthetics. I never mixed it with mineral oils or semi synthetics, because put simply, it doesn’t mix.
        Going back to the ATF topic, I read through the whole thread and I decided that I'm going to use an ATF oil in the transmission the first time, not just to try it out, but also to help flush out whatever it used before and the years of neglect. After that I shall switch to a gearbox/clutch saver type oil. The premix will be Shell Racing M - a castor/synthetic combination, followed by (for comparison), Silkolene PRO Castor/Ester Synthetic 2T. Both are castor oils I've not used before. Jonnie 

kxpegger:
I use Red Line for premix. It has a very high flash point just under a "bean oil" and burns clean the way I drive. Red Line motor oil here in the states is also used for "Top Fuel" and "Funny Car" racing so I figure they know what they are doing? Just use whatever for the transmission so long as it's wet clutch approved and change it often. 

streetsleeper:
kxpegger, I've read about Red Line here on this site. It seems a lot of KX riders are using it. I looked up Red Line and they're an American manufacturer of synthetic oils based in California; it also says they started with lubricants for racers, so it has to be quality stuff. I'll keep my eye out for it.
        In your case you say that if it's good enough for "funny cars" and "top fuel" then it has to be good enough for KXs. I go on the same assumptions as you and most of the oils I choose are ultra high performance oils for kart racing and RCs.
        From what I have read it seems that riders find one they're happy with, and stick with it. It appears that Maxima Castor 927 is popular, and I can actually get that stuff online here in Mexico. American stockist of parts and accessories aren't prepared to send stuff here, which I understand. A simple letter by registered post from the UK once took 14 weeks to arrive.
I shall definitely follow your advice when I change oils and get a product designed for wet clutches.

sandblaster:
On the oil issue I have used many different oils over the years and have had great success with all of them.
I think the most important thing is to mix as per the manufactures recommended guidelines, and use a quality oil.

On shipping to Mexico.
I have a lot of experience shipping all around the world.
Here is why I stopped shipping to Mexico.
I sell a part.
I pull it from inventory.
I box it..
I make a label and get it to the post office quickly and efficiently.
The customer receives tracking info and everyone is happy.
Then 3-4 weeks later I get a email from the customer asking where their part is.
I check tracking.
It shows that the part made it from the US to Mexico's Customs department.
After another week or two and several emails back and forth I have to refund the customer.
Why? Because they never receive it, or claimed that they did not receive it.
Once a package is handed off to Mexico's customs department the US Postal system says it is no longer their problem.
No amount of insurance helps, it's money thrown away.
It's sad that Mexico and so many other countries have poor mail delivery systems and I feel bad for guys that just want to ride their motorcycles.
But I do not want to be stuck paying for a broke system that I have nothing to do with and a lot of sellers feel the same way.
The question is then, how can these countries improve their mail delivery systems so that sellers can rest assured that their products will make it to the buyers?
I do not know..

Back to the bike. You have a good start. I hope you get it finished..

umberto:
We no longer ship to Mexico from my UPS Store either.  The worst experience I had was when a lady sent some nacho ingredients to her church's mission kids working in Mexico.  The Mexican customs agent straight up told the UPS rep, "If this American has enough money to send this kind of stuff UPS, she has enough to give something to me.".  No shame, no worries about being recorded, he just held the package hostage for a bribe. 

I had another incident with UPS Freight where the driver delivered to the address, and some strange guy signed for it, took it off the property, and held it hostage for cash.  The customer who shipped it was just out of luck, because the driver had delivered to the correct address.  I've always thought that the thief and the receiver were in it together, and the receiver was just trying to milk the shipper out of a refund.  I told my staff no more shipments to Mexico from that moment on.  I can only imagine it hasn't got any better over the years.

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