For my 400ex Red cap with black cap GN4 honda oil? I will only put alittle bit more in if i can. thanks

 

I do it all the time. I ride my utilities almost exclusively in the high mountains during hot summer weather. In the valleys, during the day it can be over 100 degrees, but during night at elevations over 10,000 ft., it can freeze. 10W40 is too light for the hot temps., and 20W50 is to heavy for the cold mornings. So, I mix 1 quart of each. That puts me in the "sweet spot" somewhere in between the two weights.

 

Thats what I needed to know thanks reconranger your always good help!

 

You shouldn't mix viscosities. Will it do any harm....probably not.

 

My question is why would you want to do this? Just to top it off? If so, you'll be fine.
If for some other reason, just buy a good multi viscosity oil and be done with it. 10-40 is good for 14 degrees F to 104 degrees F. 10-50 is good for 14 degrees to off the scale on the hot side. Maybe some places in the country you can get that much of a temp spread, but not where I live.

 

I want to do this cause i bought two quarts of 10 40 and just poured it in then ran my engine for awhile then there was nothing on the dipstick. And i have some 20 50 i think it is for my winter riding left over. The manual says 2 quarts to add. Where did it go? and what should i do? thanks

 

Is the engine a dry-sump design? if so, read your manual how to check the oil. usually it will say warm it up and then shut it off and wait about 5 minutes or so, then check it. if it's in the safe zone, you're probably alright.

as far as mixing viscosities, it wont hurt. It's better to at least stick to the same brand oil, since one brand's additives can react with another brand's additives and cause some nasty chemical reaction stuff. I've never heard of it happening though, but that's what they told me when i went to college for automotive.

 

Yup it is the same brand oil. That honda GN4 stuff[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Doc-You want to see some temperature extremes? In the Owens Valley (Bishop) it's 100+ degrees every day (and it often blows a very hot wind from adiabatic down slope warming). You ride up into the high mountains, and you are into snow (one of my favorite riding areas got snow today). Overnight in the spring and fall, it can frequently freeze. If you look at your Honda owners manual, the cutoff for 20W50 is freezing. If I run 20W50, in cool weather I can really feel it bogging my crank. So, I split the difference by mixing oils. I have done this for years, even in my cars. My engines last forever, and a day.

 

Ya, my neighbor use to live there. Those kind of temp extreems are hard on paint jobs and engines alike. For me if it gets above 90 or below 50 I sit in my chair and relax. Wasn't that way 20 years!!!!
Got to go, I got the day off and I bet you can guess what I'm going to do!!!!!!!! Looks like a great V day!!!!