Blackstone Labs results

[WintrSol]

Most tests are in the normal range, with a few a bit higher than the universal average. But, the copper reading is very elevated; universal average is 8, but my engine tested at 26. My questions are, where does the copper come from? And why so much? Something I should look for?

[Challenger]

Do you have a base UOA or is this your first?
You almost have to compare UOAs to see if something is changing.
Copper is a component of Bronze and Brass which are used in transmissions, shifters, bearings, sleeves, and other areas. Could be coming from trans or a coolant leak or could be normal.

[WintrSol]

First sample for the Valkyrie. Didn't think there were that many bronze/brass bearings. No coolant leaks, so likely the transmission.

[98valk]

can u post the report? I have an amsoil book for UOA results I can look up.

[WintrSol]

[98valk]

this is the company https://www.oaitesting.com/

in their book I have for gasoline engine 5-30 for copper is normal. up to 100ppm is abnormal and 300ppmis excessive. 1 or 2 ppm can be from copper as an additive in some motor oils.

I've used both companies yrs ago surprise that before they didn't list common avg for GL1500 engine or at least that is what they said. pulled out some of my reports they listed copper avg the same.

fuel dilution causes higher copper wear.
in their manual transmission chart copper can be from clutch faces. which is most likely is your issue, since on bobistheoilguy.com most GL1500 engines will show copper at 11ppm, even my reports had same.

oil your using is a 20w50, too thick for your conditions causing higher wear? I've read this yrs ago that a 20w50 is too thick for many engine bearing and journals unless needed for racing, towing in mountains, high ambient temps, towing, desert, etc.
report shows your oil is low for phosphorus and zinc, esp., phosphorus which has been stated over the yrs keep bearings/journals happy.
GL1500 engines were designed in the '80s for a certain higher levels of phosphorus and zinc which were closer to 1500ppm.  Honda saw the coming EPA changes to motor oils and used upgraded bearings and journals for the valkyrie and '97 to '00 Goldwing engines, however the oils have gotten even worst from oil specs in '97.

suggest you read my '17 post
https://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,96825.0.html

the one link address has changed to https://pqia.org/heavy-duty-diesel-engine-oil/  if u click on an oil can see every that is in it including zinc and phosphorus levels

why only certain diesel oils should be used
https://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,65911.0.html

Ford specification WSS-M2C171-F1 requires higher levels of phosphorus and zinc. not all diesel oils are meeting this spec. all rotella's do.
https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.com/additionalinfo/Ford%20Motor%20Company%20CK-4%20FA-4%20Position%20Statement.pdf


so my opinion use a diesel oil. IMHO the 20w50 is your problem. even though the report doesn't show a fuel dilution, I would still look into it, such as colder temps whereas the engine oil never gets to operating temp 220F for a long enough time, idle mixture screws are set to rich, etc. Also consider your clutch technique or were u just playing hard with the bike doing high rpm shifting than normal for this oil test?

Hope all of that helps and puts u in a good direction.

[WintrSol]

It is this company: https://www.blackstone-labs.com/

I use the 20W50 because I often pulled a 700#-plus trailer, and don't want that extra load do wear the transmission. It is on the oil range list, especially for higher temperatures, which is often the conditions I ride. Gets real hot from here through eastern Tennessee. I haven't found a suitable 20w40, though I admit I didn't look real hard for one.

[98valk]

It is this company: https://www.blackstone-labs.com/

I use the 20W50 because I often pulled a 700#-plus trailer, and don't want that extra load do wear the transmission. It is on the oil range list, especially for higher temperatures, which is often the conditions I ride. Gets real hot from here through eastern Tennessee. I haven't found a suitable 20w40, though I admit I didn't look real hard for one.

well the UOA shows its not working well enough
actually the best oil to use is a straight 30w diesel for great protection.
Last time a checked a few yrs ago all 20w40 oils got hit by the evil epa to have lower zinc and phophorus.


I use to use this Amsoil, best oil I ever used, after 2 yrs and 10k miles UOA came back low wear and still good to use. The bike shifted like butter the whole time.
 https://www.syntheticoildistributor.com/DieselOils/acd-10w30sae30.html
It actually was rated and used in commercial diesel automatic transmissions.
it was discontinued and replaced by a high performance 10w30 diesel oil. there is a buy button on the link that redirects to the new oil. 14/qt, ouch.

The GL1500 transmission gears have certain type of cut gears that don't wear easily. I posted about that yrs ago.
a diesel oil is designed for high shear due to the long piston strokes. Diesel oil is best to use.  I would use rotellas 15w40 semi diesel oil. I wouldn't use the 5w40 when pulling the trailer.  u can find UOAs on similar setup with that oil.

enjoy!

[WintrSol]

I can always add ZDDP, to bump up the zinc and phosphorous levels, if needed, but mc rated oils *should* have adequate levels. Too high, and they actually cause problems.

Currently using Amsoil motorcycle oil, BTW.

[98valk]

I can always add ZDDP, to bump up the zinc and phosphorous levels, if needed, but mc rated oils *should* have adequate levels. Too high, and they actually cause problems.

Currently using Amsoil motorcycle oil, BTW.

nope all rated motorcycle oils have low levels zinc and phosphorous, started a few yrs ago, again due to epa all to save the catalytic converters.

I was an Amsoil dealer back in the early 90s.  back then they didn't have a bottle labeled as motorcycle oil. their 10w40 and 20w50 auto bottles listed on the bottle good for motorcycles.  so maybe late '90s early '00 they took those oils and put them in motorcycle specific oil bottles and their sales took off and cost more than the auto bottles for the same oil. later on they added higher % of rust prevent additives due to many cycles sitting for months.   pretty much nothing special about the oils today compared to off the shelf oils today. their test comparisons show in important wear areas not much better or same as diesel oils. I stopped using their 10w40 oil when two times in a row UOA showed oil downgraded to a 10w30 oil, wear numbers were find though. so then I used rotela 15w40, did UOA, stayed in grade and wear numbers were where they should be. that was in early '00. been diesel ever since. amsoil 15w40 diesel has always been highly rated and low cost per UOAs on bobistheoilguy.
 
https://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,65911.0.html   
why only a heavy duty diesel oil should be used
« on: March 25, 2014, 07:32:47 AM »
   
see article  Two-wheelers love oil too!

Article states JASO specs are loose on phosphorus.
JASO spec'd motorcycle oil are basically the same specs as heavy-duty diesel oil standards.
JASO does not test oils, manufactures pay a fee to JASO and state their oil meets the specs.

see article, another grade for the heavy-duty upgrade?

some UOAs including mine. since the engine was still new I was changing oil early to get wear metals out. I don't do it now

https://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,17708.0.html