I just wanted to give some feedback on the recent maintenance I performed and the chemicals I have used over the years. I am pretty sure the previous owner(s) failed to follow directions on when to change coolant so, I did it. I replaced the stock (I think?) coolant with engine ice. It is a fairly straight forward procedure and flushed with fresh water four times. Since there are no bearings that are lubricated by the coolant itself, this is a fairly safe procedure. Anyways, on to my OPINIONS...

Engine Ice Coolant: ($20 / half gallon pre-mixed) Fairly expensive when you think about it. At about $80 bucks a gallon (unmixed) it had better do what it claims. And it does. I have seen a drop in temps of around 20 degrees. Not bad considering all I had to do was pour it in. I would definetly reccommend it. I have read a few posts where people state that this is overpriced coolant. I cannot agree or deny that as I havent had the luxury of switching from coolant that was still good to engine ice.

Valvoline M/C oil: ($4.99/ qt) Didnt like it one bit and neither did my bike. Clutch seemed to slip at higher RPM and it ran very dirty. I know you may be thinking that it may be the bike but I assure you it isn't. No other oil I ran has ever been this dirty this fast. It looked like it needed to be changed after 100 miles and since I was the original owner (previous bike '99 GS500) I know it wasn't due to a previous owners neglect. I changed it out within 200 miles. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone, not even someone I don't like

Mobil 1 M/C oil: ($7.99/ qt) Not a bad oil. I ran this is both of my bikes (GS500 and z1000) I was running it when I had the "condensation" problem in my Zed. It tended to hold moisture a little too well. It smoothed out some of the shifts and removed a little "clunkiness" from the gearbox. It would probably work great in a warmer climate. Also, it ran a little dirty as well but nothing like the valvoline junk. I wouldn't recommend it because the Motul 100 series is about the same price.

Motul "Factory 100" oil: ($10.99/ litre) I ran the "Factory Line" 100 series until it was time to change the coolant. Really good oil. Doesn't hold condensation nearly as much as the previous two. Smoothed out a lot of shifting and didn't get dirty very quickly at all.

Motul 300V ($15.99/ litre) Best oil I have ever run. No clunkiness in the gearbox. Held its color and doesn't retain moisture like the others. Clearly better than the rest. I like the way the clutch engages much more now than I did before. Plus, there is something to be said about a manufacturer that makes mainly motorcycle oil. I would (and often do) recommend this oil to anyone. It is expensive, but (as far as I am concerned) my girl is worth the best.

Motul RBF ($10.99/ 12 ozs?) Really good brake fluid. I flushed out what I am pretty sure was the stock fluid when I changed to SS lines and have been running this for about 2,000 miles now. Braking did improve over the stock stuff but keep in mind that I did lines at the same time. However, the rear is still the stock rubber and pedal feel and modulation in the rear is greatly improved. I would recommend this to anyone.

All of the above oils were run with the same brand filter. I have and will continue to use K+N's oil filters. Part of the reason for this is with synthetic oils you are supposed to use a synthetic media filter. This is the recommendation as per oil manufacturers. Also, they filter down to a smaller size (5-10 microns) and they have that rather helpful 17mm nut for taking them off. I would not recommend running the fram or K+N oil filter that also happens to fit a miata as, from what I got from K+N's tech service department, the bypass filters have different pressures than the bike version.

Disclaimer: Keep in mind that these are my impressions and opinions. As such, I am not trying to start a war on what oils etc. to use. I am merely trying to give my opinions to the forum which, when you think about it, is the idea behind having a forum in the first place. Also, every bike is different, what works for mine may not work for yours.

I thought I would also post my opinion on Paint and chain care products... I ride in the rain and nearly everything else nature can throw at me (read as wind/sand storms) and I still have people asking me if my bike is brand new. They are taken aback when I tell them its an '03. Obviously I take meticulous care of the condition of my bike and these are some of the products that work great for me.

Paint care:
Mother's Clay Bar: ($17.99/ kit) Great product that I use on all my vehicles. Takes out nearly anything you throw at it. Overspray, bugs etc... Also, it helps to keep the paint and clearcoat clean and smooth. It removes all the imperfections in the paint and takes it back to a "just out of the spraybooth" feel. You can throw a clean rag at a car and watch it slide off from its own weight. Make sure you follow the directions to the "T" as I have heard people take the paint off with it. The clay will also last alot longer than you think it will.
Meguiar's NXT wax ($17.99/ bottle) After doing a clay bar you need to re-apply some fresh wax. I use this stuff. I find it much easier to apply and it dries much more quickly than a standard carnuba base wax. Also, it doesn't take much effort when it comes time to buff it back off making it much easier to use in tight places where a buffer can't get to.

Chain Care
Maxima Chain Wax ($12.99/ can) I like this stuff alot as well. It is a good product that stays on no matter what. Rain or shine it will stick. However, when applying it, make sure you don't get any on the wheels or tires as it is both hard to get off when dry and could pose a safety hazard if you get some on the tires. Also, it is not entirely "fling proof" like the bottle says. I would give it overnight to be sure it sticks.

Good information, thanks! I think I'll be using the ice coolant and Motul 300V oil for my first change out, and as for the oil I'll probably change it early to reduce clunkiness.

-Daniel

I'm pretty sure the additives for the coolant are all "surfactants"(ie soap). They lower the surface tension of water and other liquids and basically allow a better transfer between the hot bits of the bike and the cooling liquid. Think back to science class where you float the toothpick on the surface of water, but couldn't do it if you added a few drops of soap to it.

Theoretically you could use Dial or other liquid soaps to do a similar job(but not necessarily as good).

Great info on the other stuff to, I might give the oil a shot, and get the K&N filters. Do you all just get the filters locally, or is there a good place online to get them?

Def. agree with the comments about the claybar and nxt, as I do detail work as a business... Maguires makes a showcar glaze that will also bring out some additional shine.

Don't forget liquid glass.... a coat or two after claybarring is the t!ts. I use nxt afterwards.

do you guys use any buffers/random orbitals for buffing after waxing? This doesn't apply to the bikes really, but for your cars?

where can i get that oil>? motul 300v

Originally Posted by z1000pwnr

where can i get that oil>? motul 300v

I went to 3 dealerships close to me, and all 3 had Motul 300v 10W-40. Do a search online too, I know that I can get my brand, Amsoil, from Amsoil's website for $9/qt. compared to the dealers price which is $13/qt. Of course you'll get cheaper if you buy in bulk.

-Daniel

I live in South Texas and in the summer time it gets HOT here. Temps get in 100's easy, and at stop lights the temp on the Z starts climbing quick.

Then I switched to engine ice and it made a huge difference, keeping the temp down in those times. Recommend even though pricey.

Originally Posted by TheOne

I live in South Texas and in the summer time it gets HOT here. Temps get in 100's easy, and at stop lights the temp on the Z starts climbing quick.

Then I switched to engine ice and it made a huge difference, keeping the temp down in those times. Recommend even though pricey.

+1 for ice in South Texas.

Originally Posted by TheOne

I live in South Texas and in the summer time it gets HOT here. Temps get in 100's easy, and at stop lights the temp on the Z starts climbing quick.

Then I switched to engine ice and it made a huge difference, keeping the temp down in those times. Recommend even though pricey.

Where do ya'll get engine ice at and do I have to flush the existing coolant out of the bike, or just add engine ice in the reservior? It's already getting warm and my bike does not like sittin' in traffic at all...

TIA

Rob, you will want to do a flush. There will be some nasties in there that you want to get out first, before you add new coolant. The stuff in there, even though you may not be able to see it, creates a barrier between the metals and the coolant and reduces the ability of the coolant to cool the engine.

You should be able to pick engine ice up at a local motorcycle shop. But be prepared, the stuff ain' cheap.

Thanks for the reply...I just had a coolant flush with new coolant put in last November (only 5 months ago) I'll wait a while....

I might look into using Water Wetter, it can be combined with coolant and is supposed to help keep temps down... I know a few guys with high performance (super charged) cars that use it.

Thaks for all the good info Sphinx! I'm also interested in the water wetter. I just finished installing my clear radiator hoses and toyota(red) coolant. If the water wetter helps, would be cheaper to use than the ice.

No problem green, many of you have been very helpful when I have asked questions and the least I can do is share some of my experiences with you. I hope any advice you guys take works as well for you as it does for me.