That 'dope' smell.

[xyzzy@bok]

- in racing motorbikes. What is that stuff called?

[Cetti]

Not knowing what 'dope' smells like xyzzy, I really can't comment, as they say - but my other half was a very keen motorcyclist and I was dragged along to all the races, Isle of Man TT etc. - and the smell that made him delirious with joy on these occasions was Castrol R!! I hope this is the one you mean?

[xyzzy@bok]

Thanks Cetti Castrol R - i thought they colloquially called it dope.. but what is Castrol R, oil? what's the smell additive?

[Cetti]

It's a vegetable oil from the Castor Bean plant and it's much oilier than mineral oil - the viscosity is higher, so there's less wear on high performance competion engines, especially when red hot - also means higher revs. The mmm!! smell from the engine and exhaust is when the Castor oil burns.