Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > ZX1 or a simular 'friction reducer' addative

[Delooney]

Someone mentioned in the recent 'Rocker wear thread / poll' about this stuff.

I've read the form and it sounds like miracle fluid.
So come on then, anyone had the balls to try it ?

Delooney

[Carbon749]

DON'T DO IT !!!!!!!

I work for a major oil company, 1 of the top 4 in world. Please, take it from me that you are much better servicing with a top quality oil at a good dealer and letting your bike warm up properly over the first few miles before "going for it".

I can assure you that the major oil companies spend a lot of money, and I mean a lot, developing engine oils which have a careful balance of additives that are designed to lubricate and protect your engine. After all the development work, engine testing and gaining manufacturers approvals I can not understand any one that would throw in an additive made by a third party who have no idea about what engine or more importantly what engine oil you have.

The other thing to consider is the warranty. If you have a failure Ducati may not (and don’t have to) honor the claim if you have used an additive in the oil. As for back up, any major oil company underwrites its lubricants when used in the right application, put an additive in the oil and the back up from the oil manufacturer goes out the window.

The key point is using a good quality oil that carries approvals rather than an oil that meets the requirements of a manufacturer. High spec car oils are generally no good for bikes due to the wet clutch and the friction modifiers used in the oil, however, with a dry clutch you don't have that problem.

Sorry if I sound like I'm preaching, but, I'm just dead set against oil additives.

[Carbon749]

Just one last point and then I will get off my soap box ...... if the additive was that good why don't Ducati, or any manufacturer, approve it ?

[Shazaam!]

Carbon's right, all's you need is a good synthetic oil. The rocker problem is not the result of a deficient additive package.

http://ducatisportingclub.com/xmb/vi...id=693#pid5070

[Ray]

I'm not really one to go for "snake oil" remedies but I used Slick 50 in a Lotus engine that had a reputation for being as reliable as a two bob watch.
On several occasions in competition the temp gauge was off the too hot end of the scale and the oil pressure zero due to surge. The engine kept going and never went bang or ran its bearings like you think it should have done. Luck or the "additive" I'll never know.

Never tried it any Ducati though.

Ray.

[Delooney]

Being a 2 stroke fanatic I've seen this stuff in action on some machines but it only becomes worthy regards poorley set up engines.

Good two stroke oil or four stroke oil in a stroker, you're right, bikes don't need it.

Don't fret, it's going no where near me Duke !

Delooney

[Edited on 30-3-2005 by Delooney]

[hogfisch]

Following on from this, has anyone read the article in this weeks MCN from the Castrol boys on how to warm your bike up properly? Evidently, letting a bike tick over first thing for a few minutes is a BIG no no!

[rcgbob44]

I have used slick 50 in my high powered (performance!) Ford fiesta 1.8 Diesel and it definitly made the engine run smoother, but I fully agree withe above that you should just stick to then recommended oils.

[Carbon749]

Hi, Always been told that you should start the bike up and let it idle for no more than the time it takes to put your helmet on. Ride off ASAP and knock the choke off if you used it to start the bike. For the first 4 or 5 mile keep rev's below 3,000rpm ish. Once bike up to temp .... pin it

[Edited on 30-3-2005 by Carbon749]

[Shazaam!]

From Neil Spalding's web site, wise words ...

With a Ducati quattrovalvole, especially after it has sat around for a while, oil can take up to 90 seconds to arrive. The Ducati oil delivery system has no one-way valve so as the bike sits unused the oil retreats slowly to the sump. When you start the engine the oil has to come all the way back up the long oil lines, it is not going to get there appreciably quicker if you rev it. The cams will not notice any difference if you are sitting 'off load' or are trying to ride it; but you do have some choices that will make life easier for the valve gear.

The first choice is the number of revs the engine suffers while the rockers wait for their oil supply. The engine can tick over at 1,200 RPM and bash the rocker surface 900 times in 90 seconds while the oil comes up. Or you can run it at 4,000 RPM; and the rockers will get bashed 3,000 times, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out that the cam follower is going to prefer the lesser of the two evils.

http://www.sigmaperformance.com/rockers.html