What kind of oil do I use in my 4-stroke moped?

We are regularly asked for advice regarding oil: “Which oil and how much oil do I need?” In this blog you can read which oil you need and how much oil is needed for your moped.
 

On most 4-stroke mopeds you can read how much oil is required if you take a look on the casing next to the dipstick, see the photos below. In the tables we have made an overview of common 4-stroke mopeds and the recommended tye of oil. In most cases, 0.1 to 0.2 L less oil is needed in case of an oil change, this is because a little bit oil remains in the engine after draining. Also check the oil level regularly when filling, so that you do not have too much or too little oil in the engine. Is your moped not listed below? Please let us know and we will be happy to add the information to this blog.




 

Honda

Model	Oil total (L)	Oil change (L)	Oil type
C50 / C70 OT and NT	0.7	0.6	10W40
C50 (AA04 and AA09)	1.0	0.8	10W40
SS50	0.7	0.6	10W40
Dax OT: ST50g, ST70, CT70	0.7	0.6	10W40
Dax NT: AB23	0.8	0.6	10W40
Chaly: CF50	0.8	0.6	10W40
Benly: CD50 / CD50s / CL50	0.8	0.6	10W40
CD50h	0.7	0.6	10W40
Solo	0.8	0.6	10W40
Motra CT50	0.8	0.6	10W40
Monkey Z50J2	0.8	0.6	10W40
Ape 50	0.9	0.8	10W40
P50	0.7	0.6	10W40
Novio PF50	0.7	0.6	10W40
Amigo PF50	0.75	0.65	10W40
PS50	0.8	0.7	10W40
PC50	0.8	0.7	10W40
CB50	0.9	0.8	10W40
CY50	0.9	0.8	10W40
XL50	0.9	0.8	10W40
XE50	0.9	0.8	10W40
C310 / C320 / TS50	0.8	0.7	10W40*
Dream 50: CB50V	1.1	1.0 (incl. filter) / 0.9	10W40**
C90 S90 CD90 OT (6v)	0.9	0.8	10W40

 
*For older (not overhauled) C310 and C320 engines, 20W50 could be a better option. This oil with higher viscosity is better suitable for engines with more clearance on shafts, bearings etc. The more clearance is due to older ways for manufacturing and wear. Order your 20W50 here.
**We recommend to use fully synthetic oil in case of a tuned CB50V engine for racing purposes.
 

Mash

Model	Oil total (L)	Oil change (L)	Oil type
Fifty 50	0.8	0.7	10W40
Scrambler 50	0.8	0.7	10W40
X-ride 50	0.8	0.7	10W40
Dirt track 50	0.8	0.7	10W40
Seventy 125cc	1.0	0.9	10W40
Black Seven 125cc	0.95	0.85	10W40
British Seven 125cc	0.95	0.85	10W40
X-Ride 125cc	0.95	0.85	10W40

 

Hanway / AGM

Model	Oil total (L)	Oil change (L)	Oil type
AGM Caferacer base	0.7	0.6	10W40
Hanway RAW 50	0.7	0.6	10W40
Hanway Scrambler 50	0.8	0.6	10W40
Hanway Muscle 50	0.8	0.7	10W40

Other models

Model	Oil total (L)	Oil change (L)	Oil type
Replica Dax 50cc	0.7	0.6	10W40
Replica Dax 125cc	0.8	0.7	10W40

 

Best selling oil by 4-stroke parts:

As per tables above the most commonly recommended oil is the 10W40 semi-synthetic oil. In most cases a bottle of 1L is sufficient to do an oil change or complete fill. Does your beloved 4-stroke moped need an oil change? Order the oil through this link.

Why a special oil for 4-stroke moped and motorcycles?

In manual mopeds and motorcylces, the clutch and gearbox run in the same oil as the rest of the engine; such as the crankshaft and cylinder and piston. The engine of 4-stroke mopeds and motorbikes are more compact and rung in higher revs than the engines of cars. In cars, the clutch and gearbox do not rotate in the same oil. In cars, the clutch does not rotate in the engine oil at all and the gearbox is provided with a special gearbox oil. The oil for 4-stroke mopeds and motorbikes must therefore be suitable for a wide range of applications; lubrication of cylinder, piston, camshaft and crankshaft at high speeds, as well as lubrication of the gearbox and clutch without unwanted slipping of the friction discs.

Viscosity of the engine oil

The viscosity of an oil says something about the degree of viscosity/thickness of an oil. A practical example: sugar syrup for your pancakes has a higher viscosity than water because it comes out of a bottle more slowly. 
The viscosity of oil is expressed in two numbers. A common one is 10W40 oil. The number “10” says something about viscosity at low temperatures and the number “40” at high/operating temperatures. We call such an oil a multi-grade oil. In general, the higher the number the higher the viscosity of the oil.
Most engines of our beloved 4-stroke mopeds are technically very similar. Therefore, 10W40 oil is suitable for most models.

The differences between mineral, semi-synthetic and fully-synthetic engine oil

For those keen to learn a little more, we are happy to explain the difference between mineral, semi-synthetic and full-synthetic oil.

Mineral oil

Mineral oil is suitable as a lubricant after refining without synthetic additives. The advantages of mineral oil are that it is cheaper and often well suited for slide bearings. However, the disadvantage is that this type of oil is less stable than semi-synthetic and full-synthetic oil. Mineral oil is/was mainly used in old and original engines from the 1960s. Mineral oil is in some cases better suited for old gaskets and oil seals. In practice, mineral oil is hardly used anymore.

Semi-synthetic oil

Semi-synthetic oil consists partly of mineral oil. Due to additional steps in the production process, a semi-synthetic oil consists of molecules of a more uniform size. This ensures an even film layer. Synthetic additives to the oil make it more suitable for higher loads and temperatures than mineral oil. Due to its favorable price-quality ratio, semi-synthetic oil is the most commonly used oil.

Fully-synthetic oil

Fully-synthetic oil has an even higher temperature range than semi-synthetic oil. This oil is often a bit more expensive and is usually used in engines that perform under more extreme conditions; like tuned and racing engines. In practice, it is not necessary to choose a full-synthetic oil for a standard 4-stroke moped.

How to check the oil level?

There are two different ways to check the oil level. How you check the oil level on your moped depends on the type of engine you have. Most mopeds come with an oil dipstick. Other mopeds (like Mash's mopeds) have a sight glass. How does oil check work? Regardless of which moped you have, the most accurate way to check the oil level is with a cold engine (that hasn't been running), as this is when all the oil collects at the bottom of the engine’s crankcase. Make sure you keep the moped upright, possibly with help from someone else.

Using a dipstick

In most engines with a horizontal cylinder, it is necessary to check the oil level by using the dipstick. To check the oil level, unscrew the dipstick from the engine. Then wipe the dipstick dry with an old cloth. Then dip the dipstick into the engine, so don't screw it in!  Then read the oil level on the dipstick at the ribbed part of the dipstick.

Using a sight glass

With Mash's manual mopeds, it is necessary to level the oil with the sight glass. Hold the moped upright. And read the oil level at the sight glass. See image below

(source: Mash Fifty user manual)

How and when to change the oil?

Changing oil is one of the most essential maintenance tasks you must perform as a moped owner. Clean and sufficient oil provides the necessary lubrication, removal of wear particles and cooling of the engine. We will explain in a separate blog how and how often you should change the oil.

Do you have any questions regarding this blog?

Do not hesitate to contact us!