Oil Additives

Technical Big Block Tonti and Loop Frame models
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Hi to all.

Anybody got an opinion on, or experience of, using an oil additive (liqui moly for e.g) for engine and/or gear box?
Wondering if it would be beneficial for my Cali Special?

With thanks
Russ

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Oh, no, an oil thread! (Only joking.) :smile:

I concur with the oil companies and engine manufacturers: if such additives had any value at all, the manufacturers would specify them and the oil companies would add them. The fact that no oil company markets a “deluxe” oil with these additional additives for a premium price, convinces me that they have no place in our engines or transmissions.

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It is or was a ‘thing’ with the old Tonti frame bikes and before, possibly, can’t remember if it’s mentioned in the factory manual or not, it was for the FD specifically if memory serves. Anyway I tried a bit of molyslip in the LM’s gearbox and FD a couple of times, not a lot is needed, about 20cc or something like that - gear changes were smoother and easier, or so I thought. Didn’t do any harm.

:grinning:

EDIT (appendix) I agree with Steve tho, modern oils shouldn’t need any such, of course ‘back in the day’, when molyslip was mentioned (in reverent tones :grin:) we’re talking about 1970’s and '80’s oils.

I remember taking great pains to specifically buy Castrol Grand Prix from Halfords (it only came in 2 litre metal cans) for the Spada, because it was the closest match to ‘SINT 2000’ as was printed in the book. The typical stuff you chucked into your car like Duckhams 20/50 was a wee bit too thick. At least that was the percieved logic.

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and yet, as an additive it continues to be available (at a premium), proving (one presumes) that said oil companies see value/relevance in producing and selling it.

RTM: my 850T, 1000SP and T3 all had it spec’d in the manual. If the “Cali Special” (1100?) doesn’t spec it, don’t use it. unless you want to, then do so. most oil experts online say that modern oils don’t require such additives. but they’re never there when i do the oils on my bikes.

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Is it the big oil companies? In any case, they’ll sell anything if it makes a profit - it doesn’t have to do anything useful, it just needs people who believe it does.

I think it’s very telling that you can’t buy any oil that has Molyslip (etc) already added. Clearly, adding it is something you do at your own risk - the oil companies aren’t willing to eat this particular dog food!

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Modern engine oil requires no additives and they were never specced by Guzzi, I put high ZDDP Mineral oil in the engine on mine (Smith and Alan 20W50). I still add Moly to the gearbox and final drive oil on my T3 and Spada. Both of these have it specced in the Guzzi Manual.

Go with what the factory manual suggests for your year of bike

Russell

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