Editor’s note: If you’re having trouble with that old Suzuki, BSA or BMW, Keith Fellenstein is your guy. From motorcycle tuning tips to detailed motorcycle engine repair, he can draw from a wealth of experience to help guide you to success. Send questions to: Keith’s Garage, 1503 SW 42nd St., Topeka, KS 66609, or send an e-mail with “Keith’s Garage” as the subject.
Easy Greasy
Q: I am a novice at motorcycle repair, and I own a 32-year-old Honda
CX500. Recently the camshaft was damaged, and a friend suggested installing the
replacement using engine assembly grease. A search for this product wasn’t very
oil? — David Etler/via email
A: Ordinary
engine oil is designed to flow smoothly through the engine, leaving a thin film
on moving parts. Engine assembly lube is formulated to stick to parts as they
are assembled and stay on those parts until the engine is started. When you
start a newly assembled engine, there’s a short amount of time before the oil
pump can pressure feed oil through the engine. Parts that are under high
pressure, such as cams, can suffer unnecessary wear in the time it takes for
oil to be fed to them. Assembly lube makes sure those parts have lubrication in
that critical time. MC