TOPIC:

hi everyone,

im in the process in doing a hydraulic change to my newly bought, 79, kz1300.
someone suggested i replace the engine oil with 15-40w mineral oil.
is that the acceptable norm with these bikes?
also is there a good coolant to use, as i wanted to flush out the radiator?

I try to use the same oil as has been used previously but that isn't always possible.
Any brand name oil 20w/50 or 15w/50 or 15w/40 is good depending on the climate. I use Shell helix HX5 15w/40 and have for years and always found it good.
Castrol is usually available world wide and is good oil and available in all grades you would need.
Synthetic oil is good oil but not really needed unless extreme heat is likely to be en-counted as in a turbo engine.
I have been using the green glycol coolant in a 50/50 mix because we get temperatures down to -10°C in winter nights. Nulon is the brand I use but I think that is an Australian brand but once again any well known brand name coolant will do the job.
Brake fluid I use Castrol DOT4 but recently had the opportunity to renew all the fluid after a brake rebuild on my BMW K1100 and changed to the DOT 5 fluid which is more expensive but does not absorb moisture and wont strip the paint from the bike if spilled.
Don't mix Dot 4 and DOT 5 it will cause big trouble.

I use Castrol 10/40 GTX with ARCHOIL friction modifier. (essentially its boron)

I had a rear transmission output shaft seal leaking past the drive shaft, that has since stopped leaking with the Archoil additive.


I have used Castrol GTX in all of my bikes since the early 1980s. Have even dragged raced a turbo KZ1000 with it with no problems.

The Archoil product has been a recent addition and so far I like the results. It has not affected the clutch.

Regards.

Todd.

You asked about coolant as well.

50/50 mix of glycol and distilled water. I then put in a coolant additive called Hyperlube super coolant. (available at Walmart.)

It breaks down the surface tension of the water to make it wetter.

T.

yeah thanks again rick.....i am also rebuilding all front and rear brakes.
is there anyone within australia who can supply me kits to all callipers and front and rear master cylinders?
i am finding people from overseas ok, that will supply but i prefer someone local if i can.
rear master cylinder kits seem to be an impossibility to find, it seems.....

First thing you need to do on the rear master cly is check and see if the bore can be cleaned up. There are a few post on here by us guy on this. As for a kit there is none unless the guy in Germany still has a few. What you have to do is take the cups from a front master cly kit and put them on your old piston on the read. The cups from the front are the same size just make sure you get them in the right place on the piston. The rear master cly was only made for this bike and only 79 to 82 are the same after that they where change.