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Needed some ATF today so nipped into halfords (I know, but I was pushed for time and it was comvienent) anyway while in there thought I'd pick up some engine oil for the Falco as she was looking a little low at the weekend. Choice of either Castrol or Halfords own. Read the labels on both but neither said whether they were mineral, semi or fully synthetic. Was only a tenner so I bought the Castrol power1 4T 10w40.

At the risk of sounding like a right pleb, I thought I'd ask. Am I missing something here?

I'm sure there was either someone on here who either worked for castrol or had a good exchange of emails with them about oil not sure if it would answer your question and at the risk of sounding like DR ... Search function

Mind you if your clutch starts slipping you may have answered your own question

Castrol power1 4T 10w40 is semi-synthetic.

Castrol power1 Racing 4T 10w40 is fully-synthetic.

Your oil seemed a little low?
You did check the oil when the motor was warm?
On another note, we have a discount scheme with Opie oils who deliver to your

Thanks 👍

Yeah I checked it when it was upto temp. It's about a quarter up the pipe at cold but when I start it dissappears to none for a few minutes then it comes back to about halfway up once upto temp.

I do know about the opie deal. I've used them before and found them to be very good. It was just an impulse purchase as it reminded me as I walked past the motorcycle oil in the shop.

Half way up is not low, I think that should be considered the high mark. Had that advice from Griff I recollect vaguely...Sposed to be 10:50 BTW but for winter use I don't think that'll matter much.[/i]

It's a dry sump so surely the amount of oil in the tank isn't as critical as a wet sump that needs to pull it out of the bottom up to the top (there will obviously be a slight temperature increase with less oil).

while we're on the subject of oil, I need to change mine, just how likely is my plug to strip the thread, and should I just helicoil it as a matter of course when I do it anyway?

wayno wrote:while we're on the subject of oil, I need to change mine, just how likely is my plug to strip the thread, and should I just helicoil it as a matter of course when I do it anyway?

I've done mine twice (along with others having done so for servicing, so probably 6 times in all). not stripped mine (yet). Probably don't need to helicoil it as a matter of course, only if it does strip (or starts leaking)?

HisNibbs wrote:Half way up is not low, I think that should be considered the high mark. Had that advice from Griff I recollect vaguely...Sposed to be 10:50 BTW but for winter use I don't think that'll matter much.[/i]

I think that's 15W50 though Aprilia has sanctioned 10W40 if you experience clutch slip that can't be cured by the various other methods.

15/40 here dismt soñé of this change dependinf on the trae ?

i routinely use 10/40 semi - i prefer motul

Yep Andy, 15 - 50 it is .Must have done nearly 20 oil changes and still can't remember correctly

When I ring Opie I always ask whats the cheapest 10/40-15/50 semi synthetic they have.
All oils have to reach specifications.
Usually it seems to be a preferred manufacturer.

I know it's supposed to be 15w50 and that's fine if you live in southern Italy. But our colder climate and because my falco runs a few degrees cooler than others I think 10w40 will be better for my engine. Although I haven't experienced any clutch slip it's also a bit of prevention rather than cure.

In other news, I've finally got round to buying a set of AP rearsets. Mainly because Lewis from AP phoned me to tell me they were the last set left on the shelves. Just gotta wait a week to get them fitted to the bike.