I worked for McDonnell Douglas aircraft in Tulsa in a department that tested and certified equipment and especially hydraulic oil for military and commercial jet aircraft. Military aircraft uses petroleum based oil and commercial jets use synthetic based oil. Oil drums were sealed and locked in special cages that were locked with high security locks. The Security personnel were not permitted in the oil dispensary areas.
So, why was security so high with aircraft oil? Our department also pulled oil samples on equipment that attached to the aircraft for operation, maintenance and repairs. The samples were drawn under rigid procedures and sent to the lab for testing. If you TOUCHED the top of the sample bottle, the sample would fail a particle count.
Items tested were:
Viscosity- Was the oil diluted?
Acid number- Water and other contaminants form destructive acid.
Particle count - The lab actually counted the number of metallic particles in a measured amount of oil. Contamination from poor handling, and wear particles were the typical sources.
I'm not suggesting that oil in your bike should be treated like that, but it underscores the fact that the oil doesn't wear out. Garbage introduced INTO the oil is the biggest concern. The best way for us to protect our equipment is to run the engine to mix it up, shut it off, dump the warm oil and replace it. It's cheap insurance!
Flash
So, why was security so high with aircraft oil? Our department also pulled oil samples on equipment that attached to the aircraft for operation, maintenance and repairs. The samples were drawn under rigid procedures and sent to the lab for testing. If you TOUCHED the top of the sample bottle, the sample would fail a particle count.
Items tested were:
Viscosity- Was the oil diluted?
Acid number- Water and other contaminants form destructive acid.
Particle count - The lab actually counted the number of metallic particles in a measured amount of oil. Contamination from poor handling, and wear particles were the typical sources.
I'm not suggesting that oil in your bike should be treated like that, but it underscores the fact that the oil doesn't wear out. Garbage introduced INTO the oil is the biggest concern. The best way for us to protect our equipment is to run the engine to mix it up, shut it off, dump the warm oil and replace it. It's cheap insurance!
Flash