Synthetic oil in a 400ex??

[Humdinger4u]

Not sure if you can run Synthetic oil in a 400ex or not? Or does it make your clutch slip?

Thanks, Michael

[nosliw]

as long as it is designed for motorcycle use and doesnt contain polydenum, teflon, or any other friction modifiers, youll be fine.

like Honda HP4

just use mobile 1 red cap

[sickmojave]

Originally posted by MixMasterMike
just use mobile 1 red cap

Good Stuff http://img100.exs.cx/img100/6030/xyxthumbs.gif

[Rastus]

I agree.

Mobil 1 Red cap ( 15W-50 ) is great oil.:bandit:

[Spikers400]

is it to thick for winter temperatures. I just put sum mobil in for the first time. WIll i have to change it to a 10w40?

[boystoys]

Originally posted by Spikers400
is it to thick for winter temperatures. I just put sum mobil in for the first time. WIll i have to change it to a 10w40?

bump for the good question... the snow will be flyin' soon for us in the east

[jahaiap]

mobil 1 red cap :eek2: good stuff

[Rico]

Originally posted by Spikers400
is it to thick for winter temperatures. I just put sum mobil in for the first time. WIll i have to change it to a 10w40?

NO

I run it year round.

[Spikers400]

Ok great

[UMD400ex]

I also run mobil one red cap. Havn't had a single problem yet and I've run it in my bike the whole time. I'd always let it warm up a little longer in the winter anyways, because I'm not sure how good it is to use in the winter. I figure as long as the engine itself is pretty much warmed up, it shouldn't hurt it too bad.

[98red]

AMSOIL !!

[hondarider2006]

Originally posted by 98red
AMSOIL !!

That is what I run also. I used to run the mobile 1, but I am now trying the amsoil;)

[CstMCgR]

I run maxxis 4 oil in mine and love the stuff...a friend that races for one of the honda dealerships down here turned me onto the stuff.

[Plante400]

i run spectro 4 10w 40
synthetic/petrolium blend, i like?

[zakk54]

As a rule of thumb like the other posts above have said, any oil without the friction modifiers is acceptable! I would run a brand that states "Certified for wet clutch use" right on the bottle!! Klotz MX4, Motorex Power Synth 4T, Motul 300V!! I would also depending on Mods on your EX run 15W50 weight oil or 20W50 if running a Semi-Synthetic like Belray Thumper!!!! Remember it's an air cooled bike and it needs the 50 weight if you have any mods!! If you're running a stock bike 10W40 would be fine!! This is right from Tom Carlson at TC! Although if you change your oil religiously after every ride, He said cheap Napa 20w50 Mineral oil for $.69 a quart is more than adequate on a national modded MX Motor!!!! I REPEAT, YOU HAVE TO CHANGE IT EVERY RIDE IF YOU GO THAT ROUTE!!!!! I had a full blown 450EX Stroker Motor by TC Pushed to the absolute wall! I changed my oil after every weekend of racing with the Klotz MX4 15W50 and my motor was CHERRY after teardown at the end of the year!!! The Clutch Life on a Hinson/TC Clutch system is cut in about half from Mineral oil to Synthetic even without the friction modifiers!! Just because the synthetic oils lube so well!! There is still a small % of slipping!!!

Anyway Hope this helped!! I spent a lot of time researching oils for the fear of loosing a $4000.00 Motor so this information is without bias!!

[TC426EX]

Thats what Tom told me too about oils after I picked my motor up from him. I have yet to switch to the synthetics but am very tempted to. I have been sticking to the Gn4 20w50 and I change it every other week. One of the main reasons I havent changed is because for one it seems like once you use it you cant switch back easily and also because of what you stated about the clutch still slipping a bit. I have that hinson clutch setup as well, and know I dont wanna be replacing clutch plates any more than I already am...

[zakk54]

I would definately go to the synthetic with that motor for the dollars spent alone!! The money for a clutch every year is a lot less than the motor going!! I had no felt slipping with mine, it is just a reality in that you'll have things wear out in the clutch system a little quiker!! Motul, Klotz then Motorex as far as quality!! Change your oil after every other weekend and the motor will be like new at the end of the year!!!!! I just changed mine every weekend because I'm a bit anal!!!:rolleyes: Once you pull the dipstick and see the oil is like new after a weekend on it it will be a no-brainer from there!! I noticed you're running a sparks pipe instead of TC:confused: Why???? The TC is so much better for MX on a 400ex!! Just curious!!

[TC426EX]

Im running a sparks pipe instead of the TC because I already bought it before I had my motor work done. The only thing I dont like about the TC is that it uses the stock headpipe, which I really would rather not use. What do you notice that the TC pipe does better than the sparks pipe? I thought about selling the sparks and getting a TC but I really do love the sparks and I would have to know how the TC is better to get one and switch... I pretty much ride only tracks and MX so let me know the difference how you see it. I will probably end up going to a synthetic for sure. Replacing clutch plates isnt too big of a deal after all. I tear this thing apart anyway at least twice a season to replace the rings and check out the top end anyway...

[zakk54]

I think the TC pipe hits a lot harder!! Sparks is definately smoother!! The nice thing was the low grunt with all the mid top still being there!! The other good thing about the TC pipe is the stock header!! The Pipe works absolutely best with it & (they're a dime a dozen if they get damaged)!!! Just my opinion but Tom builds his pipes & motors to be complimented by each other!! Nothing against Sparks but their motors and pipes don't hold a candle to TC on the 400EX for MX!!!!!!

[JDiablo]

so wat kind of oil should i be running with a 460ex,hotcams stage two,hmf full exhaust?20w50?

[jak8913]

i run castrol 10-40 full sythetic on my 400ex. it only has a pipe, filter, adn jet kit as engine mods. is this ok for just fast trail riding adn the occiasional track?

[zakk54]

You have got to run a 50 weight oil if you have motor mods on an ex!!!! TC and Sparks will tell you this!!! Motorex makes a full synthetic in a 10w50 (Great cold weather starts!!!) Amsoil also!! The 15w50 weight would be a little harder to get started in the cold!!! Remember, An ex is air cooled it needs the heavier weight oil to keep the motor cooler/and to withstand the heat produced!! Especially if you're racing it!!!!! I've included a summary from Belray explaining weights!!


10W-50 versus 20W-50

Q: Sir Tech,
I own an H-DÆ FLHT Electra Glide and I have been using your EXP 20W-50 with good results. I would like to try your fully synthetic Bel-Ray EXS but you don’t make it in a 20W-50, which is what is recommended for my bike. Why don’t you make an EXS 20W-50?

A: The first # (10W) means WINTER which means the cold start-up rating of the oil. So when you first start your bike, the 10W oil will flow more easily and quickly throughout your engine offering you better protection than would a 20W. Once the engine is up to operating temperature you have an SAE 50 oil whether it’s 10W-50 or 20W-50 or some other combo of 50. The point is, there is no disadvantage, only the benefit of better cold start-up protection.
Semi-synthetic oils have been created for ...Price Point! They give you some of the benefits of full synthetics at a lower price. There is no advantage to run semi-synthetic oil unless you’re on a budget. I recommend you use EXS and you will see even more benefits than what you have already noticed using semi-synthetics. EXS can handle extreme heat and will dissipate heat better; its flash point is over 460 degrees F. whereas, semi-synthetics are 100 degrees F, or more down the scale.


Hope this helped!!! Motorex, Motul, Klotz, Amsoil, Belray & Maxima Any are great!! Use a lower number before the "W" and maintain at leat a 50 weight on a air cooled bike that's modded!!!

[meanyellow03ex]

I run Honda HP4 10-40 in mine. Mostly stock. If it says Honda on the bottle, it's gotta be good...

[S2P]

I run the Mobil 1 red cap in my wolverine. It has a Four Stroke Tech motor in it . I have had no problems with it or my clutch. I went with the Mobil 1 because it was alot cheaper. I bought it it a wally world, in the Five quart size. I was going to run the klotz after talking to the guy at a GNCC race but it was like $6-8.00 a quart. I change my oil to often to pay that much for a couple of races.

[black400ex]

I always use AMSOIL 0W-40 4 stroke oil in mine. People I ride with use AMSOIL religously, and I must agree, I saw virtually no wear on thier motor when he put in a 440 kit and cam.

[tryken]

How many quarts does a 400ex take?

400ex takes like 2 qts or something....dont run KLOTZ either...that stuff is garbage

[markk]

I run a 15-50w all year also, I figgure that the motor will put that stuff at over 100 degress anyways.

[markk]

Originally posted by MixMasterMike
400ex takes like 2 qts or something....dont run KLOTZ either...that stuff is garbage


from completly dry, it suposed to take 2.33/ threw 2.25 quarts

[Metzroth]

I use mobil one red cap 15w-50. In illinois we've had temps down in the single digits and I'm dumb enuf to ride in it. I haven't had any problems while riding and no problems starting it either. No slipping clutch or anything either. Also never buy oil from a dealership (RIP OFF). Atleast at our dealer. Friend bought coolant(for wr426 pre-mixed so ur paying for water) 7 quarts of oil and 3 oil filters and it cost him $72. I went to wal-mart bought my oil for $10 and got a K&N oil filter off rockymountainatv.com for $5. $15 apposed to about $35 per change(he bought stuff for 2 cooling system flushes and oil changes). Just my advice tho.