UOA - Honda Transalp '11

[Luciano]

So this is my first UOA.

Code:

MAKE/MODEL: Honda Motorcycle 700cc OIL TYPE & GRADE: Shell 10W/30
FUEL TYPE: Gasoline (Unleaded) OIL USE INTERVAL: 2,550 Miles
MI/HR on Oil 2,550
MI/HR on Unit 15,400

COMMENTS LUCIANO: Yes, this oil change interval worked very well. Universal averages show
typical wear for this engine type after about 4,700 miles on the oil. On your 2,550-mile interval,
all metals are within the average range. Maybe iron is a touch elevated on a ppm/mile basis,
but that could be related to how you use the bike. We'll know a little more about that as
trends build. For now, the important thing to know is that there's nothing reading high 
enough to suspect any serious issues. The viscosity was a little light, but 
that's probably normal shearing. Nice!

ALUMINUM 5
CHROMIUM 1
IRON 17
COPPER 2
LEAD 2
TIN 0
MOLYBDENUM 3
NICKEL 3
MANGANESE 0
SILVER 0
TITANIUM 0
POTASSIUM 2
BORON 68
SILICON 4
SODIUM 3
CALCIUM 2575
MAGNESIUM 16
PHOSPHORUS 791
ZINC 903
BARIUM 0

SUS Viscosity @ 210°F 57.0
cSt Viscosity @ 100°C 9.37
Flashpoint in °F 405
Fuel % <0.5
Antifreeze % 0.0
Water % 0.0
Insolubes % 0.2

 

[sunruh]

flash of 405 says not much if any fuel in that sample susvis of 57.0 is just barely 30wt (takes 56.7954 to be 30wt) so it is in grade by the smallest of margins...wouldnt be long before it wasnt. now onto the elements: silicon of 4 is awesome! iron 17 may or may not be ok alum 5 is typically ok since that is usually the clutch basket and/or shift dog forks. nickel 3 is a possible question so is lead 2 and copper 2 and chromium 1 how do you ride the bike? is it a lot of lugging or hills? there are 4 metals there that while not big numbers should be zero. i wonder if a hdeo 15w40 would show the same metal values or not in the same miles. steve

 

[Luciano]

I appreciated that Steve. I ride it 95% on the highway. Never used hdeo. Maybe I'll give it a try on the next OC.

 

[29662]

Absolutely love the transalp. I wish they would re-import it to the U.S...

 

[sunruh]

Luciano, in no way am i sounding an alarm or saying this report is bad. just wondering that with the sample being almost at 20wt if you are possibly seeing a tiny amount of wear from that low of a susvis when its hot and under load. or 15w40 could be worse from cold flow startup. hard to tell. this is where i wish 5w40 held up well but just doesnt seem to in shared sump motors. but that doesnt mean you could not try it. you did stay in grade for 2550 miles if only barely. i have no idea what is available to you, but you could look at shell helix ultra 5w40 shell helix diesel 5w40 shell helix hx8 synth 5w40

 

[Luciano]

Well, theres only one way to figure it out. Lets put it to the test. It would take long since the current oil in use is another 10w30 no reason to hurry right? Where i am the shell helix is intended for cars AFAIK it is very expensive and they carry friction modifiers. no effort at all to find several hdeo 15w40 or 10w40 shell rimula, lubrax (br), mobil etc. not sure about 5w40. Some of them are low saps to use in euro v engines. Anyway do you think that could cause any issues to the bike?

 

[sunruh]

yep no reason to hurry. i would try an hdeo 15w40. that will prove (mostly) in a single uoa if that really changes those wear metals or not.

 

[Luciano]

2nd UOA. That stuff is not very shear stable.

 

[sunruh]

flash of 405 is good yes 55.1 is barely below 56.79 for 30wt so while it is out of grade it is just barely. hmm they fail to mention tin which went up by infinity and yet also didnt mention nickel going down nor your silicon doubling. intersting reports always from the stoners. i'd say it held up pretty darn well. granted not a sae30 or even gc 0w30 but pretty decent. steve

 

[Luciano]

Thanks steve your comments are always appreciated. silicon might be from serious dusty roads I ride but truth be told that is only 5%.