Oil for Vintage 2-strokes?

[AjayMike]

Pardon me if this has been done to death. I did a search and didn't see anything specific to vintage bikes.

What two-stroke premix oil are you folks using in your vintage bikes? I have read that the new 2-stroke oils are formulated for water cooled engines and are not really the greatest for the older air cooled motors.

I am close to completing the restoration on my '71 AJS Stormer 370. I went completely through the engine, including a crank rebuild, and I'd like to use a good oil from the start. I'd rather not use castor oil if I can help it (dirty-separates from gas at low temps). I'm leaning towards Bel-Ray MC1.

Any thoughts?

Mike

 

[2stroke]

I use "Kawachem" 2stroke oil. Its not specifically made for vintage bikes, but it works fine in my '72 F9 350. (And its green,which produces green gas!!) I run 37 to 1 on that stuff.

Personally, Ive been wondering about trying a "smokeless oil" in it, but Im not sure about that.

My Kawasaki speed kit manual from 1971 suggests running 16 to 1 when disconnecting the injector pump and running premix, as I have. Yeah, if I ran 16 to 1 with a modern oil, it would be smoke city. Fouled plugs in an instant. Jeez.

As for a modern oil not working for air cooled engines, I dont know.

 

[Oregon Trail]

Mike I run Bel-Ray in all my bikes. I go with 40:1 for the vintage and 50:1 for my KDX. I've been racing the 250 Husky for 3 years and no problems. I like the 'blue' oil so I am totally sure I grab the right can. I use the MC1, not the racing oil.

 

[redrocket190]

Honda CR250R 1978...Bel Ray MC-1 50:1.

 

[Dirtvet]

Anyone use Klotz? I use Maxima 927 @ 28:1 in my '72 Husky CR 450. No problem with fouling plugs.

 

[Oregon Trail]

Tommygun, 28:1 ?? maybe that's why your 450 wasn't running like it should. How and where did you come up with that ratio? Most manufacturers recommended 32:1 as a precaution to save their butts. Are you running that high a ratio to 'save the engine'? Just curious?

 

[AjayMike]

I did try Klotz R50 at 40:1 last summer before I did my teardown. I tried it because it is supposed to offer pretty close to the same protection as bean oil, which AJS recommends. The spooge was terrible, and it clogged the plates in my Supertrapp muffler. When I disassembled the engine a ring was almost stuck from carbon. And I ran probably less than 25 gallons of mix through it. I'm not badmouthing the oil really. I'm sure there are people out there that swear by it. I just think it's not right for this (old) motor.
Mike

 

[markthomps]

I run my vintage Maicos and a 2000 CR250 on the same oil/gas outta the same jug. No problems that I can blame on the fuel. Oil is usually one of three, depending on what's on my shelve: Yamalube R, Bel-Ray MC1 and Mobil's new synthetic. All good stuff. Also used Torco a lot becuz it was smokeless, but too much of a hassle to find.

 

[mx360]

I run Golden Spectro in my '74 mx360. Mixed 12oz. to 5 gallons of gas (whatever that works out to be-it's the recommended amount) it works great.
However, if you want a vintage oil here's a link-Klotz and Blendzall.
http://www.pro-flo.com/pro-flo_vintage_dirtbike_products.htm

Wil..........aka Mudslinger

 

[Dirtvet]

Oregon Trail, I use 28:1 now, but I was using 20:1 when I first got the Husky. That's what the guy I bought it from said he ran. There is an original sticker on my gas tank that says use only vegetable oil @ 20:1. The original Husky manual I have likewise advises a strong brew, @ 25:1. From what I am hearing here though, I should go up to the 32:1 I use in my modern bikes. Thanks for the info.

 

[lolvlflyr]

I have one gas/oil mix for all my two-strokes....
Both modern and vintage and I get the oil at my hardware store.

Opti-2 at 100:1

 

[VintageDirt]

Originally posted by lolvlflyr
I have one gas/oil mix for all my two-strokes....
Both modern and vintage and I get the oil at my hardware store.

Opti-2 at 100:1

You must ride even less than I do. :laugh:

 

[Oregon Trail]

Tommygun, I run it a little rich on my vintage bikes just because I want to save them and they are run hard. On my KDX I run 50:1 Bel-Ray MC1 with no problems in 5 years. (knock on wood) Since the original manuals were written the oil has gone thru some improved technology. Try your 927 or Klotz at 32:1 or 40:1. If you don't feel much of an improvement run 32:1 to help the life of the engine. That 450 should be a hand full!

 

[AjayMike]

Thanks for the input, folks.
It was nice hearing of the Torco and Blendzall names again. I figured they were long gone by now.
I'm going to give the Bel Ray MC1 a try, because that is what the local motorcycle shop carries. There's not much to choose from in this one-horse town, and I'd rather not get in the business of mail-ordering oil.
I'm hoping to get some premix and fire the jollye olde AJS up today.
Thanks again, Mike

 

[nephron]

Rich once said Bel-Ray isn't worthy of wetting driveway rock. :laugh: lol, when Rich generalizes , one should listen. ;)

I'm not sure why he said it, but based on his extensive petrochemical experience....I'll just NOT take that with a grain of salt, thanx.

 

[TheJunkMan]

To the guy with the F9 Kawasaki Big Horn... If you disconected the oil pump then how are you lubricateing the right side crank bearing?