• Oil

Oil

Type/Weight

Don't even ask. Just RTFM and do whatever makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Because most motorcycles use oil to lubricate the clutch, specific friction modifiers in most Energy Conserving oil can cause the clutch to slip. As a rule of thumb, don't use oils that are marked as "Energy Conserving". All oil products must show a seal that displays the oil's rating and if it is energy conserving.

Not recommended:

Recommended:

Filters

Most list members buy oil filters a case at a time from on-line Honda OEM parts dealers.

You can find alternatives that are a lot cheaper and that fit on the bike, but unless you verify the flow rate and bypass pressure, you're on your own.

Also, from another list member: Wix now has a bonafide list of motorcycle models and related oil filters. The 1334 which was for the VFR is now for the VF/VFR's thru 1986. The Wix filter for the 90-current model VFR is 1358. The price is about half ($5.50 US) and readily available.

Other alternates for the Honda "small" filter:

• NAPA Gold: 1356
• BIG A: 92356
• Carquest: 85356
• Deutsch: D-370
• Fram: PH7317
• Motorcraft: FL822
• Purolator: L14620
• Wix: 51356

Oil Filter Cross Reference

Oil Filters Revealed (How different oil filters are made and who actually manufactures your filter)

Checking Level

Do not screw in the dipstick when checking oil.

Oil Dipstick Lengths:

One list member reports the following data (measured from the underside of the handle to the "full" mark)

• 1984 V65 Sabre - 152mm (one data point)
• 1984-85 V65 Magna - 157-158mm (three data points)
• V45 Magna - 147mm (two data points)

Checking Pressure

The manual describes checking oil pressure at the oil pressure light switch hole. The hole is metric thread just *slightly* smaller than 1/8" NPT. You need a male M12 x 1 to female 1/8 NPT adapter ('85 V65 Magna; check on other models). These adapters are sold by auto parts suppliers to enable oil pressure gauge installation on metric engines. You attach a mechanical oil pressure gauge (the kind that connects to the engine with small tubing) to the adapter. Some list members have oil pressure gauges permanently installed. See GAUGES.TXT, GAUGES.GIF, and ADAPTER.GIF for a good-looking installation and instructions.

Oil Mod (Solves the problem with the OEM design flaw causing not enough oil reaching the cams)