# small block oil
**URL:** https://forum.motoguzziclub.co.uk/t/small-block-oil/1012
**Category:** Small Block V Twins (not new V7s)
**Created:** [12 December 2013 18:00 UTC](https://forum.motoguzziclub.co.uk/t/small-block-oil/1012 "2013-12-12T18:00:36Z")
**Posts on this page:** 10
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@guzzi-v35](https://forum.motoguzziclub.co.uk/u/guzzi-v35)
#### Post date: [12 December 2013 18:00 UTC](https://forum.motoguzziclub.co.uk/t/small-block-oil/1012/1 "2013-12-12T18:00:36Z")
im not going to start an other oil debate…!
but do early v35/v50 use the same oils as their bigger t3/3/5 cousins
I know the bevels are different and use 85W-140
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### Author:  [@Cabernet](https://forum.motoguzziclub.co.uk/u/Cabernet)
#### Post date: [12 December 2013 18:06 UTC](https://forum.motoguzziclub.co.uk/t/small-block-oil/1012/2 "2013-12-12T18:06:29Z")
I used to lob 20/50 mineral oil in my “Imola II”.
Used to ride it pretty hard too as a few Penninists can testify.
Ran it for a long time too couriering in the summers.
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### Author:  [@Exmembers](https://forum.motoguzziclub.co.uk/u/Exmembers)
#### Post date: [12 December 2013 19:28 UTC](https://forum.motoguzziclub.co.uk/t/small-block-oil/1012/3 "2013-12-12T19:28:27Z")
Simple answer to your question Iain, Yes.
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### Author:  [@guzzi-v35](https://forum.motoguzziclub.co.uk/u/guzzi-v35)
#### Post date: [16 December 2013 19:00 UTC](https://forum.motoguzziclub.co.uk/t/small-block-oil/1012/4 "2013-12-16T19:00:52Z")
downloaded a copy of the v35 / v50 maintanance manual and that shows AGIP SINT SAE 10W/40 not 20w50. Im confused now guzzi-t52013-12-16 19:01:55
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### Author:  [@Exmembers](https://forum.motoguzziclub.co.uk/u/Exmembers)
#### Post date: [16 December 2013 19:26 UTC](https://forum.motoguzziclub.co.uk/t/small-block-oil/1012/5 "2013-12-16T19:26:28Z")
mine ran leicster to lake district every weekend on 20/50
not a problem
> [@guzzi-t5](#):
>
> downloaded a copy of the v35 / v50 maintanance manual and that shows AGIP SINT SAE 10W/40 not 20w50. Im confused now
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### Author:  [@Exmembers](https://forum.motoguzziclub.co.uk/u/Exmembers)
#### Post date: [17 December 2013 10:15 UTC](https://forum.motoguzziclub.co.uk/t/small-block-oil/1012/6 "2013-12-17T10:15:05Z")
Don’t get bogged down with oil, it would probably run on yak fat as long as the oil change interval wasn’t too long. I have always used 10W40, but others may well use a higher grade.In winter, a 10w40 will make easier starting as the oil is thinner when cold.A 20w50 will be a little thicker when hot, but unless you have worn bearings or pump, you should not have a problem with 10w40. But make sure it’s brown coloured (or occasionally green) and slippery.
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### Author:  [@iandunmore](https://forum.motoguzziclub.co.uk/u/iandunmore)
#### Post date: [17 December 2013 10:24 UTC](https://forum.motoguzziclub.co.uk/t/small-block-oil/1012/7 "2013-12-17T10:24:36Z")
Wot he said.
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### Author:  [@guzzi-v35](https://forum.motoguzziclub.co.uk/u/guzzi-v35)
#### Post date: [17 December 2013 11:02 UTC](https://forum.motoguzziclub.co.uk/t/small-block-oil/1012/8 "2013-12-17T11:02:23Z")
t5 loved halfords green and slippery :-)got some castrol 4t 10w40 semi for the moment, along with new filters and gearbox oil and the 85w140 bevil oil
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### Author:  [@guzzibrat](https://forum.motoguzziclub.co.uk/u/guzzibrat)
#### Post date: [17 December 2013 11:27 UTC](https://forum.motoguzziclub.co.uk/t/small-block-oil/1012/9 "2013-12-17T11:27:13Z")
Hi Iain
I use 10/40 in the small block bikes as recomended.
Also use it in big blocks, particularly in winter, as it flows better as noted above.
20/50 was recomended in the manuals of 1970s and even 1980s bikes as it was freely available. As lubricant technology has moved on and some manufacturers have tightened up machining tolerances recomendations have changed.
As you’ll gather oil can be a vexed issue and comes down to ‘taste’ and personal preference.
All the best
Steve
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### Author:  [@guzzi-v35](https://forum.motoguzziclub.co.uk/u/guzzi-v35)
#### Post date: [17 December 2013 15:32 UTC](https://forum.motoguzziclub.co.uk/t/small-block-oil/1012/10 "2013-12-17T15:32:34Z")
thanks steve, castrol semi 4t 10w40 looks ideal. noticed the t5 struggled to turn over on sat with a fully charged battery