KNOW YOUR OIL…
We all know engine oil’s crucial. Without it, things would literally grind to a halt. We chatted to Chitprasong Prasit, technical chief of Motul, to learn a bit more. Though as he was speaking to Mossy he had to keep it simple!
WORDS: CHRIS MOSS IMAGES: FB ARCHIVE
Tech Talk
After just six hours of thrashing, this race bike’s oil had lost 25% efficiency from petrol dilution.
FB: What does the oil in shops mainly consist of?
CP: Between 70-90% is a base oil; that’s either refined mineral or chemically modified synthetic oil, both originating from crude. The rest is made up from additives that help adjust the final formulation’s quality and suitability. Typical additives include anti-oxidants, anticorrosion, anti-wear, frictionmodifying, extreme pressure, and detergent additives. They’re added to different degrees depending on the oil’s intended use. Base oils vary in quality, but even the very best ones available still need additives.
FB: Is bike oil specific?
CP: Very much so. It’s one of the most stressful applications of all, so oil in motorcycle engines leads an extremely hard life. Bike motors normally rev higher, making lots of power and heat, and their oil volume is relatively low. Synthetic oils, made by additional chemical processes to alter their structure, offer the best protection.