250 kms update on Petronas sprinta 5000 FS oil (10w40). Early morning today, I found the Honda 10w30 oil to be slightly better in cold starts. I went for a ride today and covered around 250 kms, of which around 10 kms is off-roading. There is not much difference between the 10w30 oil and the Petronas FS at lower speeds. The difference is clearly known at high speeds, particularly after the engine is very hot. The bike is much smoother at higher rpms and its clearly felt. 'Minor' vibrations vanished that were there before. The only thing I noticed is a slightly different engine note, like a bit of growling.

The gear shifts are smoother compared to 10w30 Honda oil. The finding neutral difficulty situations reduced comparatively.

I will give more updates as I put on more kms with this oil.

Gearshift lever nut

Today early morning at @ 1.30 A.M. I was going to the railway station to do a pick up . Then I thought - dead of night , no traffic - best time to check the above 7000 rpm performance and I took a detour . Didn't revv high in 1st , took it to 7k in 2nd and then ....nothing ...!!!the gear wasn't changing . Slowed down to under a street light and when I checked the gear lever , it was hanging down .

As a temp measure just kept in the hole and continued to my pick up . There's a nut which has to be tightened . It is missing . Have to check my inventory to see if one of similar thread is in it . If not hav to go to ASC or check whether it's there in my new 'scrap' ZMA engine . I wonder whether it's a common occurrence - what if I'm in the middle of nowhere and had no idea about stop gap arrangement !!!

@rambo rider: the speedogear assy costs in the region of INR250. part no 44800-krc-something...

Had a very similar experience. The nut holding the link went off somewhere while coming from office at night. I was trying to change the gear and the gear lever was not reachable/not there. I stopped and checked and the lever was hanging touching the soil.

I too got a different screw temporarily and still its running like that.

Got a nut of similar thread and the gear lever is OK now .

Sir, If you believe in GOD, then I believe it was his way of telling you to PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

A friend lost his dad, because his dad met with an accident in a remote road around midnight, it was estimated that he was alive even after the accident, but bled to death because he was only found in the morning.

Yours is a one of a kind cylinder kit, which is yet to be tried and tested, so better be on the safe side and experiment in clear daylight when people are around to help you in case anything bad happens, I pray god forbid the same.

Lol, it seems the ZMA's have a habit of testing their owners patience, ALOT!!!

@Everyone.
What will happen if the valves are forced shut due to the tappet nuts being in their extreme tight position, and the starter button is thumbed???
Will it by chance cause any misalignment in the turning of the cam??? Which in turn can cause the decompressor to not initiate properly.

BlackPanther, yesterday tried setting his clearance and for testing purposes closed both valves and cranked the starter, now the issue he's facing is that, just like my kicker, it wont get initiated always only sometimes, due to the piston not being at TDC, and sometimes will get stuck in between and when trying harder will just result in it kicking back.

His kicker was working perfectly before he went for the clearance setting, and since the only common error we both did was to crank the starter with the valves closed, we suspect it to be the cause of all our issues. Any comments and suggestions on the same are welcome.

@PSR Sir,
Whats the silver coloured tube on top of the head, which is also part rubber tube.

1. Idling screw bent slightly and stuck
2. Suddenly engine stops(rpm to zero) and then comes to life as the bike is already in motion...happens daily 2-3 times
3. very much dissatisfied with my bike now, I need a good jugaad of the plastic parts, foot rest holders etc, they all cost too much!

hi, what is the cost of the oil? And please update on the engine note. I am thinking of using FS oil for my bike now. Also about FE, acceleration and top end. Sorry of its too much at one go.....

Its 500 rupees approximately. Engine note is very good and normal. Bike is more smoother at higher rpms. FE can't comment right now. Somebody has to check it for ZMR. With synthetic oils, you don't get any improved acceleration or top end. FS oil facilitates better revolutions of the engine; just makes the engine refined and smooth.

Ok... Thanks for the input... I believed it might affect acceleration but since you have used it .. Will go by your word.... I guess i will give it a try.... thanks ....

Yes I also suggest to check the full operational condition of the engine on daylight accompanied by someone. There is no problems but still be on the safer side . And wear all protective gear. Good luck we all waited this much and we don't mind waiting a little bit longer .

Yes ZMA really tests our patience. I faced one when my bike had a simple short circuit and took almost a month to figure out what.

I am not against experimenting but when you do things first try to judge the possible outcomes. Why did he crank the engine after closing the valves? . Internal damage might occur and the starter might get damaged as no air is sucked into the combustion chamber. And no going out of exhaust gases. My kicker is working fine. No issues so far.

Silver colour tube is the one through which AFR goes into the cylinder.

1. Replace it. Consult SVC and confirm.
2. Check CDI connector for loose connection. Clean the connector ends from dust and impurities.


Seems like a good oil. I am currently running on mineral. I dont want the same engine oil in my bike after 2000kms so synthetic oil is not economical for me . I am running on 20w 40 mineral.

I have known a guy who has been using Petronas Sprinta 5000 FS in ZMA for the past three years. Even he called me recently 10 days back asking for more cans. He never went back to any other oil after he started using this oil. He said he is very satisfied with this oil. And same case with R-15 too.

We faced only minor niggles. Never faced any major problems. In my case, I was able to put my bike in third gear and ride straight to home. The next day found a screw with same thread and fitted it.

With the kind of torture everyone puts to this bike, minor niggles will happen now and then . But in 50k kms of heavy touring, with considerable off-roading, ZMA always excelled and never complained and is still going very strong. I don't have any fear that it will make me stranded in the middle of the highway.

It irritates only when you fiddle with it without much knowledge.

Routine check is necessary for any engine...I do it every Sunday for my car and bikes.....just take 30 minutes each to do it..Prepare a check list and keep it in mind...If you do it regularly then Every time you use the machine you can be sure ..

A routine check every weekend is the answer to a reliable ride....make it a habit and everything will be smooth.

No one can beat their destiny,so relax and enjoy the moment now...The ZMA is a reliable bike,but like everything else in life, needs timely periodic attention..It is not a Two stroke bike ....and tampering with it without adequate knowledge will DEFINITELY lead to misery...with ZMA and everything else in life.

So now you are learning through somebody else's bike and experience !.....undo whatever you had done to get back to stock condition.....do not share an opinion/ advise/ DIY UNLESS you are sure of the basics.
The tube is the free air injector tube for pollution control.
How did the screw get bent ? were you tampering often with the setting ?.....The sudden stopping could be due to lean AFR...do not attempt to do any DIY without knowing the fundamentals.....

Tried to climb a steep cliff but it failed in midway as the tyre didn't get grip due to stones.

Ravi anna's Mt Everest climb - YouTube

If you look at the Video again you will see that you are leaning forward in to the climb thereby shifting weight from back tire to the front. You can also try letting out a little bit of air from the rear tire to get better foot print and traction.....