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[St] Friction Modifiers In Oil



This seems to be a topic that can lead to a lot of confusion.  Please allow me to try to clear a little of it up.
 
All modern motor oils have "friction modifiers" in them- they are called additives.  FM's, in and of themselves, are actually quite good things.
 
The ones that causes motorcyclist who do their own maintenance, or want to inform themselves on good maintenance proceedures, are primarily zinc or zinc compounds.  Skipping past all the technical stuff and cutting to the chase, they:
 
Reduce rotating friction in the oil, thus reducing the energy lost to spinning the engine and allowing the engine to operate more efficicenly and the vehicle have better fuel economy (GOOD), but;
 
Can cause wet clultches (which are found in the large majority of modern motorcycles
, which use the same oil to lubricate both the engine and the transmission) to slip prematurely (BAD).
 
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR:
 
The API (Americal Petroleum Institute) double circle shows the service rating (SE, SF, SG, SH, etc.)  IF it has the words "Energy Conserving"  on it's bottom half, DO NOT USE THIS OIL IN YOUR MOTORCYCLE, unless you are sure you have a motorcycle with a separate transmission (most big US-made twins, some 50's and earlier bikes, some Ducatis, some other European bikes- most people who own these bikes are well aware of all their idiocyncrcies.)
 
There are many other things to be aware of, but if you watch out for those two words, you at least won't have to worry about friction modifiers and your clutch.
Steve Boudreaux


      
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