Which oil to use in C5?

[JVS]

After the 3500mi mark, I've been using the Motul 300V 4T 15W-50 full synthetic and it's running well. (On my B5)

[Royalista]

E5 here, using Motul 5100 (ester) 4T  15W-50

[e7grunt]

Not to high jack this thread, but where do you guys get your oil filters? Is there a napa or other oil filter that works or do you have to go to a enfield dealer? Thank you.

[Ducati Scotty]

Filters are an Enfield only part. 

Scott

[Gypsyjon]

These UCE engines were designed for riding on the Indian sub-continent in relatively horrible weather conditions with questionable access to even more questionable supplies .....

I've done some testing & oil analysis (look back through my topics)  and I can provide the following well reasoned experience.

1st ...  the additives matter - ALOT.   Have you ever looked after adding oil to your engine and seen what looks like a tiny bit of "sludge" or "ash" left over in the bottom of the bottle ...  kinda like some solids that fell out of suspension ?   SHAKE OIL BEFORE OPENING - especially if it has been sitting around on the store shelf for awhile.

2nd ...  the amount of "wear metals" detected in used oil is inversely proportional to the amount of Sodium, Zinc, Moly, and other metallic additives in the oil you choose to run.

3rd ...  the viscosity of the oil will decline as it gets chewed up in the gears - change your oil frequently.

finally, and this is just an opinion - not an observation - diesel oil like Shell Rotella is more than adequate for these engines in the North American environment.

When I was running my tugboat, Rotella was the ONLY oil to use. Good stuff.

[Tri750]

But a new person needs to know that the importer (CMW) says full Syn. RE (i dont have my book at home) says semi-syn I think in 15w50 . Most bottles such as Amsoil-Redline say that their 20w50 is interchangable with 15w50. What they do in India or what your or my opinion is isn't what the manual says. Let each person decide from there.

[mattsz]

There is a common opinion that says for breaking in an engine such as ours, synthetics should not be used - dino only for however many miles.

I'm just saying...  I have no experience whatsoever, and no opinion about it.  My bike was delivered with dino oil, but it's running full synthetic now at 1800 miles (well, it would be if it was running, and not under a bedsheet waiting for spring..)

[gremlin]

................. where do you guys get your oil filters? ..................

::eBay::  search for --> bulletwalla

[gremlin]

.............What they do in India or what your or my opinion is isn't what the manual says. .......

Who's Mr. Grumpy then ?

[Ducati Scotty]

Forgot Bulletwa. Thx.

[Tri750]

Who's Mr. Grumpy then ?

Me? I'm only the one who may have to make the call to CMW to ask for warranty work on an engine that has been running on Rotella or Kmart Fouxthetic or whatever will save someone 3 or 4 dollars per quart on a 1.5 qt. oil change.  As long as a new person has the correct answer once, then he can do what he chooses.
Oil discussions. I know better.

[Marrtyn]

I have been, mistakenly, using Silkolene 15-50 fully-synthetic, in my G5. My handbook says to use semi-synthetic. I have also been told (from a reliable source) that there is absolutely no need to use fully-synthetic. Costs more. So.... I am about to change to Silkolene semi-synthetic,(as the good book says), 20-50. Also been advised to do an oil flush.

[barenekd]

I used semi synthetic for about 1000 miles (Castrol), then switched to Mobil V-Twin. On the last oil change at 14,000 miles (4,000 miles since the previous change) the bike used less than 1/2 pint of oil.
I'll do the same on my next Enfield.
Bare

[TWinOKC]

As discussed before.  It only costs an extra $10 per oil change (or less) to use full synthetic.

Cheap insurance.

Semi synthetic is probably just fine too.  Whatever makes you sleep good.   

[Arizoni]

Marrtyn
For what it's worth, I totally disagree with anyone who suggests that a "oil flush" is needed for your bike.
This is especially true if the "flush" involves putting anything other than the correct engine oil into the engine and it is even more true with a Royal Enfield.
These special flushing fluids will find nothing to remove in a low mileage engine and what's worse, on a Royal Enfield, some of the stuff will remain in the crankcase/oil sump where it will pollute your new high quality oil.

Your new semi-synthetic oil will be totally compatible with your existing oil so flushing is not needed.

If you are going to change oils then just do it.  If you really want to "flush" your engine then buy twice the amount of your new oil.  Replace the old oil with the new oil.  Run the bike for 100 miles and then drain and refill with the remaining new oil.