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In the great debate about oil, Falcos and clutch slip, I had gathered that the early Falcos often didn't fare well on fully-synth oil though later ones did fine on the stuff. Indeed, I've run mine on fully-synth.

With Aprilia's bulletin recommending that if all else fails in the quest to stop clutch slip, people may use a 10-40 semi-synth, I'd just assumed that the recommended 15-50 oils (IP Extra Raid 4 and Agip TEC 4T) were fully-synth.
I think many other people may have done the same.

Well I've just done some digging as I'm about to order oil to service my bike and I've discovered that these recommended oils are actually semi-synth.

So, it would seem that although later Falcos can run fine on fully synth oil, Aprilia has actually only recommended semi synth oils for them.

.... that's a bit of an eye-opener for me.

often happens with the riders of the slower colours....

and yes, pre 2002 falcos. its semi synth only - IN MY OPINION

Exactly !!

Aladinsaneuk wrote:
and yes, pre 2002 falcos. its semi synth only - IN MY OPINION

HowardQ wrote:Exactly !!

That's not my point .... we all know that .....


What I was getting at is this:

I think that the general assumption had been that the oils that Aprilia recommended were fully synth but they gave dispensation to the riders of the old heaps to use 10-40 semi synth to stop their clutches from slipping.
At least, that was what I had previously believed.

Further digging has revealed that the recommended 15-50 oils are also semi synth (not fully synth)


There again, maybe it was just me who had this misunderstanding.

silkoline 15/50 semi synthetic in mine , though it is 2002

lol

no andy, i have only ever run semi synth in mine - and the owners handbook also says this - i think the use of full synth came later.... wether or not is was done by aprilia or some one thinking it was a good idea....

From my perspective, full synth is puss from the Devils bottom

Full synth has been fine in mine - but I'll save a bit of money now that I see Aprilia was not recommending fully synth and go for the semi.

Pretty much any good quality 15-50w semi-synth should be perfect for any Falco. I use Motul 5100 15-50w and it's great (but then so are Silkolene, Putoline, Catrol, Agip etc. etc)

The only stuff I wouldn't touch with a bargepole is Rock Oil.

mangocrazy wrote:Pretty much any good quality 15-50w semi-synth should be perfect for any Falco. I use Motul 5100 15-50w and it's great (but then so are Silkolene, Putoline, Catrol, Agip etc. etc)

The only stuff I wouldn't touch with a bargepole is Rock Oil.

..... though Castrol don't do a 15-50. They would have been my first choice as my Dad worked for their research labs - and I worked there myself (building engines for engine test one summer while I was at Uni). I know they do a pretty thorough job there .... well, they did in the early '80s and I hope they still do.

.... my Grandad worked for Shell too.

I've gone for Silkolene from our friends at Opie Oils

Try 10/40 semi - a lot more choice then....

Aladinsaneuk wrote:Try 10/40 semi - a lot more choice then....

Thats what I run

Clutch drag - whats that then

Aladinsaneuk wrote:Try 10/40 semi - a lot more choice then....

Nah - I'd sooner stick with what Aprilia chose to recommend rather than what they fell back on for the old nails with slippy clutches.

.... and I don't need a wider choice having found what I need



(yeah I know 10-40 should be OK but I'd prefer to stick with the 15-50 ..... I have, at least, moved away from fully synth this time)

mangocrazy wrote: The only stuff I wouldn't touch with a bargepole is Rock Oil.

Interesting comment as I use Rock Oil in both my bikes and it does the job just fine. Good quality oil at the right price. Why wouldn't you use it? It meets and exceeds all the standards required for motorcycles and is recommended by Kawasaki & Suzuki not to mention BMW & Porche. And Rock Oil's racing pedigree is long and successful, I know BSB racers and motorcrossers who swear by it

F9

D-Rider wrote:

Aladinsaneuk wrote:
and yes, pre 2002 falcos. its semi synth only - IN MY OPINION

HowardQ wrote:Exactly !!

That's not my point .... we all know that .....

My response was really an "exactly" reply to the second line about the semi synth only for my bike which is 2001, and the usual tongue in cheek comment about the first line about fastest colours.
As I have mentioned before the local Aprilia dealer put Putoline fully synth in mine at the 10K service, and the clutch slipped goiong home and was much worse that weekend.
Talked to the dealer asked why they had used it and the answer was that they always used it full stop, no problem. I suggested that I knew other people who suggested it should never be used, but their reply was a simple try changing it if you want. Otherwise it will cost you £XXX for a new clutch. Had just paid well over £550 quid for 10K service plus chain and sprockets so didn't have the money for the clutch.
Stopped at Halfords on the way home, got a can of Castrol semi synth, and changed the oil and filter. The clutch slip instantly went away and, 22k miles later, the original clutch is still fine, still using Castrol.
It works for me mate!