Author Topic: Oil  (Read 10710 times)

Tommy McDevitt

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Oil
« on: May 15, 2015, 04:36:46 PM »
This is a stupid question but can I use mobil 1 15w 50 synthetic in my k75?
Or do I need 15 w 50 motorcycle oil what's the differince between motor oil and motorcycle oil
?? Thanks.

Offline Chaos

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Re: Oil
« Reply #1 on: May 15, 2015, 04:44:30 PM »
Yes, any automotive oil will keep your K happy.  Motorcycle specific oils usually have an additive package for a wet clutch, but we have dry clutches same as a car.  I've been using Pennzoil, Castrol, Valvoline car oil, usually 10-40, for the last 20 years.  Important thing is to change it regularly, helps keep the sprag clutch in the starter clean  (you do not that to go bad!)
  • sw ohio
1987 K75S    VIN 0231
Original owner, Original litter
200,000 miles (plus or minus) and 5 paint jobs
sold 6/23
2023 Ural 2WD sidecar (BMW's bastard step child)

Offline K75rt

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Re: Oil
« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2015, 07:03:31 PM »
I sure hope so - I've got about 45k miles on my K75RT since switching to M1 15/50, with nary a complaint :)

In all seriousness, M1 makes great engine oil (and great gear oil, great lube for the side stand zerks, etc...).  Some folks swear by Castrol 4T, others Amsoil, and even others will swear you are offending the great Roundel in the sky if you don't use the BMW OEM.

Whatever you do, change it when needed.  Some swear by every 3k, others 5k, others twice a year, etc. ;-)

Personally I do at after winter layup, every 4k or so, then before the winter layup.  Might as well get some GD-525 and pull and lube the driveshaft while you're at it if it hasn't been done in a while.

Tommy McDevitt

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Re: Oil
« Reply #3 on: May 15, 2015, 07:25:21 PM »
The k75 is new to me with no owners manual what should the oil level be in the glass window. How many quarts ??? Thanks

Offline F14CRAZY

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Re: Oil
« Reply #4 on: May 15, 2015, 07:30:47 PM »
I like to keep the oil at least half in the window, up to almost filling the window
  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • '87 K75C
'87 K75C w/ Pichler V1 fairing. LED's, CATZ driving lights, Audiovox cruise, LT top case, tons of other mods by Drake...


Offline K75rt

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Re: Oil
« Reply #5 on: May 15, 2015, 07:57:02 PM »
I fill the new filter with fresh oil (and wet the rubber gasket on the filter with oil) before screwing it in - hand tight than just a half turn with the wrench ONLY!  Then add 3 quarts, wait a bit and top off bit by bit to just below the red dot in the middle of the sight glass.  Check and add if needed after a ride - you do not want to overfill, unless you need practice doing oil changes.

 Make sure to replace the oil filter cover o-ring at least every other change or the cover will leak. 

Offline billday

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Re: Oil
« Reply #6 on: May 15, 2015, 09:40:08 PM »
Everything you need to know is here

http://www.motobrick.com/index.php/topic,339.0.html
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Offline Chaos

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Re: Oil
« Reply #7 on: May 15, 2015, 10:11:13 PM »
another K oil change tidbit....no need to remove the drainplug.   Loosen the filter cover and drain the oil through that.  Not too messy with some practice and no worry about stripped threads or washers on the plug. 
  • sw ohio
1987 K75S    VIN 0231
Original owner, Original litter
200,000 miles (plus or minus) and 5 paint jobs
sold 6/23
2023 Ural 2WD sidecar (BMW's bastard step child)

Offline Mongrel

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Re: Oil
« Reply #8 on: May 15, 2015, 11:38:31 PM »
another K oil change tidbit....no need to remove the drainplug.   Loosen the filter cover and drain the oil through that.  Not too messy with some practice and no worry about stripped threads or washers on the plug.

I did this for years, but recently I discovered that there's a small amount of oil that stays in the area above the drain plug if you do it this way. I was always overfilling even though I was putting in the correct amount of oil (roughly 3.65 L to get a nice level on the glass - normally). Reason was, I never drained my oil ALL the way. Now I make sure to remove the drain plug.
'86 K75c
'79 Motobecane Mobylette (mothballed)

JcJ TN K75s

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Re: Oil
« Reply #9 on: May 17, 2015, 04:36:20 PM »
i love this place.   :clap:

no stone unturned.  Put in some time reading here and you'll save so much time wrenching later. :falldown:

Offline F14CRAZY

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Re: Oil
« Reply #10 on: May 17, 2015, 06:09:44 PM »
another K oil change tidbit....no need to remove the drainplug.   Loosen the filter cover and drain the oil through that.  Not too messy with some practice and no worry about stripped threads or washers on the plug.

I did this for years, but recently I discovered that there's a small amount of oil that stays in the area above the drain plug if you do it this way. I was always overfilling even though I was putting in the correct amount of oil (roughly 3.65 L to get a nice level on the glass - normally). Reason was, I never drained my oil ALL the way. Now I make sure to remove the drain plug.

Then again doesn't the manual say to change the filter only every other oil change? Being mounted with the inlet/outlet on top it seems the filter would hold a decent amount of oil...
  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • '87 K75C
'87 K75C w/ Pichler V1 fairing. LED's, CATZ driving lights, Audiovox cruise, LT top case, tons of other mods by Drake...


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