I have a motorcycle that I ride as a "Dual Sport", a 2007 Husaberg FE550E, and it will darken the motor oil very quickly. It has a 4 stroke high performance engine with forced oil lubrication, one full flow oil filter, an oil screen on the pump suction, a magnetic drain plug and oiled foam air filtration. The engine and transmission share the same oil, and all of the gears are straight cut. The engine vents blow-by via a molded rubber hose to the air box. The sump holds one quart of oil, the manufacturer's owner's manual specifies a JASO T903 MA 10W50 oil, and specifies an OCI of every 15 hours/100 liters of fuel. I currently use Shell Rotella T4 15W-40. The motor oil will get very dark within that OCI.
So...
1. What exactly causes motor oil to darken with run time?
2. What are the correlations between motor oil darkening and desirable oil property degradation?
3. Reading motorcycle forums, the conventional wisdom on this issue is to change oil frequently.
4. It is commonly believed that viscosity breakdown occurs due to shear via gear mesh. Is this correct?
5. If it is correct, how does the viscosity breakdown correlate to increase wear within the engine?
6. Should I utilize oil analysis to determine the best OCI?
7. If yes, what analysis criteria should I set the OCI upon?
8. I am curious what I can do to extend OCI's on this MC.
9. Would increasing the sump capacity have much effect?
10. Would bypass oil filtration have much effect?
Any and all input is greatly appreciated.
So...
1. What exactly causes motor oil to darken with run time?
2. What are the correlations between motor oil darkening and desirable oil property degradation?
3. Reading motorcycle forums, the conventional wisdom on this issue is to change oil frequently.
4. It is commonly believed that viscosity breakdown occurs due to shear via gear mesh. Is this correct?
5. If it is correct, how does the viscosity breakdown correlate to increase wear within the engine?
6. Should I utilize oil analysis to determine the best OCI?
7. If yes, what analysis criteria should I set the OCI upon?
8. I am curious what I can do to extend OCI's on this MC.
9. Would increasing the sump capacity have much effect?
10. Would bypass oil filtration have much effect?
Any and all input is greatly appreciated.