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cold, and good oil pressure when hot. Cheaper oils will not offer these levels of performance. The use of incorrect performance level oil may invalidate your warranty if it’ s a new bike.
CAN I USE SCOOTER OR MOWER OIL IN AN OLD TWO-STROKE? There is a wide range of scooter and mower oil available on the market. Some are suited to older designs of scooter / mower that require a thicker product to assist with sealing the rings to provide adequate compression. Others are all-singing all-dancing, designed to eliminate visible smoke when burnt or to keep powervalves, plugs and ports clean and efficient. A good quality two-stroke oil, primarily based on mineral oils, would suit this age of two-stroke engine, without the need to go with synthetics.
CAN I RUN AN OLD BIKE ON MODERN OIL? This will all depend upon the condition of the engine and its age and design. Modern motorcycle oils are relatively thin compared to classic oils and will not offer adequate piston / liner sealing or bearing protection. They are also designed for use with full flow, screw on cartridge filters. They contain high levels of dispersancy that holds solid debris generated in the combustion process, or from the cleaning of components in suspension so the filter can remove it. If this debris is not filtered out, it will continue to circulate causing damage. If the classic engine has been re-machined to modern tolerances with new bearings, etc, with a full flow filter fitted, then a modern oil would be an option. However, the engine you would be left with would not be quite a classic anymore. Classic oils are still available and these are best suited to the older designs. As always, if you need more help, talk to a knowledgable mechanic before making any changes to the oil type you use.
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