Everyone read this. Good info for your engine.

[WI200x]

I posted this over at 3ww figured I should post it here too. Good info to know, here's the link over there. http://3wheelerworldforums.com/showthread.php?t=92283



Ok guy's I was on the phone with the lady from Megacycle cams today, she was very helpful and gave me some great info that I think I should pass on to everyone running these old bikes.

We were discussing cam's and springs for my 200x build that is going on right now and rockers came up. I asked about the hard surface welding and what not. She said that the 200x's have good chrome on the rockers and rewelding is not needed, but the big problem comes from today's new oils. As of about a year ago the API (American Petroleum Institute.) demanded that oil companies take the zinc dithiophosphate (ZDDP) out of the oil due to clogging of catalytic converters and other problems associated. The zinc dithiophosphate (ZDDP) is what keeps the cam/bearing surfaces from touching, and galling. She listed a few oil companies that still use zinc dithiophosphate (ZDDP) in their oils, one that I remember was Redline oil company. The lady on the phone said to look for the "For racing use only" on the oil this means they don't meet the API standard which essentially is a higher grade oil because API makes companies that meet API standard remove the zink. Our old engines need zinc dithiophosphate (ZDDP) to live. She also mentioned a company that makes an additive to add to your oil so you can have the zink additive in your oil.

I found a retailer of this additive: http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/p...p_oil_additive


I would have to think adding this additive would be better than doing nothing at all.


Here's another good read about the subject. http://www.ttalk.info/Zddp.htm

Does anyone else know more about this subject?

[FlyingW]

I wanna add a little side note to this although it does relate. As many of you know, I'm stripping a bunch of trikes. I have done many 200Xs thus far with a few more to go. While doing the 200Xs, I noticed that all but a couple of the 200X motors had the cams yanked out of them. The other day I was picking up a load of 70s and I asked what was up with the 200X motors and all the cams out of them. My guy told me that the 200X motor is prone to cam journal failure when the engine oil level drops by 1/2 quart. He went on to say that when the oil level goes down, it starves the top end for oil and the cam journals being fragile smoke due to lack of oil. This in turn trashes the cam.

Now, couple this with the issue in this thread about the change in oil properties shows a huge potential to damage your 200X motors. I guess the message here is do not let your 200X motors run low on oil. Keep them topped off. I wonder if switching your oil over to synthetic would solve the problem with the oil properties??

Anybody care to weigh in on this??

[Dirty]

I wanna add a little side note to this although it does relate. As many of you know, I'm stripping a bunch of trikes. I have done many 200Xs thus far with a few more to go. While doing the 200Xs, I noticed that all but a couple of the 200X motors had the cams yanked out of them. The other day I was picking up a load of 70s and I asked what was up with the 200X motors and all the cams out of them. My guy told me that the 200X motor is prone to cam journal failure when the engine oil level drops by 1/2 quart. He went on to say that when the oil level goes down, it starves the top end for oil and the cam journals being fragile smoke due to lack of oil. This in turn trashes the cam.

Now, couple this with the issue in this thread about the change in oil properties shows a huge potential to damage your 200X motors. I guess the message here is do not let your 200X motors run low on oil. Keep them topped off. I wonder if switching your oil over to synthetic would solve the problem with the oil properties??

Anybody care to weigh in on this??

:popcorn:

Must follow this thread, hmmm, does the 200X have a sight glass for oil? Sure makes it easy to check the level.

/Johan

[WI200x]

No the 200x doesn't have a sight glass, just a dipstick. I hear running an extra 1/2 quart of oil in the 200x isn't a bad thing.

[skunkworks]

Thanks for the great article,it was very informative. I own a 1985 350X and was wondering if the same applies to my motor?
I just bought it and am going to be changing the oil soon. I was going to just get whatever Honda recommends for it, but they might not realize it..
thanks again

[MedicineMan]

In case someone didn't know, the Honda engines/trannys use the SAME oil for both sections of the engine.

You have a "WET" clutch, you can't use all the new oils.

You will need to look on the back label for a little round "seal" and make sure your chosen oil DOES NOT HAVE the phrase "Energy Conserving" on it.

Using the EC oils will cause your clutc/es to slip, and they will wear out prematurely.

Just a little ditty from the Honda street bike crowd.

[azjay]

motorcycle oil still has ZDDP, and diesel motor oils still have ZDDP (rotella, dello400, etc), as thery dont have to comply to the current AUTOMOTIVE standards. the diesel oil recently reduced the amount of ZDDP in them, they now have about the same as automotive oils used to have. as previously mentioned, "RACING ONLY" motor oils also has ZDDP in them. almost all motor oils have an MSDS sheet on line somewhere, and that normally lists the amount of ZDDP, typically you want to see .91 PPM or better (if my memory serves me right)

[rusty3]

does this include 86-87 x's.... does lucas oil stabilizer have zinc in it

[Legbah]

Great thread, also I was wondering about Leaded gas.

[scrambler250R]

Another problem with 200x cams(or any 185-200 engine for that matter) is when some idiot uses hard setting silcone to seal the rocker arm cover & it plugs up the oil passage,so remember to always use hondabond or the like on the rocker cover.

Also what's everybodys thought on royal purple, they have a regular oil(all are synthetic of course) a racing oil, & a cycle oil, does any of those have zinc?

[dennishoddy]

I've had my 250SX on Mobile 1 synthetic for over a year now, and I haven't experienced any problems. I'm going to do a little checking after reading this post.

[crackshot]

I am using synthetic in my 200s and do not have any problems.
Synthetic is not "slipperier" than other oils.
I am using it because all winter it was 16 degrees during the day.
5-30 weight also. Starts right up at zero degrees.