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Hello,
I just introduced myself in the above introduction section and posted few pics of my newly acquired 196? Ducati 250 mk3.
My first two questions are:
1) what is a good cylinder compression test figure for the 250 engine?
2) which engine oil should I use?

Thanks to all
Vladimir in Wakefield, MA USA

Here are some pics

Dukati250 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 01, 2018 11:02 am 2) which engine oil should I use?

Oh, you don't know what kind of a hornet's nest you've just poked your stick into !

Right, I'll say this quick and then run for cover:

1. Are you groovy and modern and want the best for your engine?
Then use a quality 20-50 multigrade, synthetic if you can afford it, dinosaur juice if not.
(I note that Nigel Lacey* sells Silkolene Comp 4, an esther-based synthetic 20-50 which, if it's good enuf for Nigel, is good enuf for me! It's possibly not marketed in the States, but something similar will be.)

2. Or are you a traditionalist who believes nothing has improved in engine oil formulation since 1966?
Then use a straight 40 weight mineral oil.

Which ever you chose, change the oil frequently - as well as the degradation caused by heat and use, you have to get rid of the all the acids and carbon produced by combustion. And also abrasive material coming off of the clutch. Every 1,250 miles was the original recommendation. You can push it a bit more with modern oils. I do mine every 3,000.

HTH

Craig

* http://www.laceyducati.com/ducati-parts/

Thank you Craig for being first to respond!
I will go ahead and use 20/50 syntetic and ofcourse change it regulary.
Any thoughts on the compression test?
Right now I am only getting 65psi but I still need to check valve clearances and make sure there are no leaks...

Dukati250 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 02, 2018 6:21 am Any thoughts on the compression test?

See other thread.