Castrol R availability in the US

[Nortonist 592]

I can't tell you the technical reasons.  I bought a Manx 40+ years ago and R was the oil so I continued using R.  I've run R in all my racing engines since then.  From a 16,000 rpm Kreidler to ancient Nortons.  And now in my Weslakes.  Never had an oil related failure.  Plus the smell is great.  I just work on the why mess with it when it works theory.

[andychaos]

It is supposed to stand very high temperatures before it breaks down.
I am with Nortonist though as I race a 1975 CCM and a 1971 B50 MX both of which run on Castrol R with no problems so I am happy to stick with what I know. It is also suitable for wet clutches and as B50 based engine breath through the primary case  I have to use the same oil in both engine and primary.
Plus it smells great

[wobblywalrus]

Last week I was at the local short track races and I asked about this.  It is used as a top end lube in four strokes.  Most two strokes are using synthetic oil 'cause there is some sort of maintenance issue with bean oil they do not worry about if they use synthetic.  Blendzall and Klotz were mentioned.  Almost all bike shops have some sort of bean oil.  It was near the track where I was told this and did not comprehend the finer details of the conversation.  It was really noisy.

Everything I needed to run was in the crate with the bike when I went to Wales, like a tire pump, fuel, oil, etc.  All I needed was an electrical outlet for the battery charger.  That thinking saved my butt.  I was tired, confused, and very busy dealing with all sorts of other issues and finding fuel, oil, and other basics would have been a big problem.   

[Nortonist 592]

R became a bit scarce around here so I switched to Oilzall.  Same as R.  Bean oil will get thick if its left to sit for a long time.  A long time.  I've never experienced any problems like that.  some got on the underside of my Weslake and took a bit of effort to remove.  Other tan that, in my eyes, its the best.  And as anyone who uses it will tell you its the Chanel no.5 of oil.

[Peter Jack]

When I was in my teens one of my friends drove an MG Twin Cam. You could always tell when Davey was in the area by the fragrance in the air. 

I think that was the first twin overhead cam engine I ever had anything to do with.

Pete

[kiwi belly tank]

"Chanel No-5 of oil" that's a fact. I raced 3/4 Midgets in NZ when I was young & the track was always perfumed up from the Solo's with their Esso's Jawa's & JAP'S.
This Esso I have here was actually a factory 500 scrambler & was very similar to the road racer version.
  Sid.

[Nortonist 592]

"Chanel No-5 of oil" that's a fact. I raced 3/4 Midgets in NZ when I was young & the track was always perfumed up from the Solo's with their Esso's Jawa's & JAP'S.
This Esso I have here was actually a factory 500 scrambler & was very similar to the road racer version.
  Sid.

As a long time fan of big singles it would be nice if you could post a photo of the ESO.

[kiwi belly tank]

Everything is packed away due to the owner's health situation but here's a link to info.
http://66.84.0.143/~ahrmanwc/eso.htm
The story I was told is that four factory work's bikes came to the US on tour in 52, two 350's & two 500"s & two of the bikes never left.
This 500 became a road racer.
I rebuilt the engine, then dismantled it & packed it away. A couple of 15 to 1 pistons, pins & rings came from Sweden, crank pin & bearings came from England & valve train stuff came from California. These engines are an amazing piece of hand carved hemi with the quality of a Miller or early Offy & I built an intake with a 2" SU to match the 2.06 intake valve. Hopefully one day I'll get to fire it.
  Sid.

[Vinsky]

We have another Esso racer among us who has set records with his APS bike and is now building a streamliner for the same engine.
http://edstugaanders.blogspot.se/

[bones]

 Has anyone tried using Shell 'M'
 Shell's   R equivalent--  some of the speedway guys use it in Australia.

Sid
   does the Esso have a gearbox?  There were some scrambles engines made with unit gearboxes.

   cheers    Bones

[kiwi belly tank]

Yes it does have a gearbox, from memory I think it's a 4 speed.
  Sid.

[bones]

Sid
    If the guy who owns it wanted to get rid of it I know a fella who maybe would like it.
He collects all things Speedway and lots of odd scrambles bikes.
I was in Pocatello the other day-- Didn't realise you were so close--- home now
   Cheers     Bones

[kiwi belly tank]

Really Mate! It's a long way from Sydney to Pocatello.
Tim is a bike hoarder & will die with his collection, he has a lot of odd stuff like that. I found an old Jawa Trials bike in a farmers barn a couple of years ago but didn't tell him about it.
  Sid.