What oil are you using? I use Castrol Syntec 5W-50 full synthetic and run the same in my cars. I have not experienced any clutch problems and such but the shifting is a little weird occasionaly. Don't know if this has anything to do with it but this stuff is so good for the engine I will likely stay with it. I also use Redline synthetic gear oil in the shaft drive.

What do you use?

The opinions are endless on the this topic. But I work at a KTM dealership and am currently using a semi synthetic Motorex brand oil. I am using the 15W50 since there is no 20W40 in the Motorex line. We always encourage people to use motorcycle specific oil if they don't have separate transmission and crankcase fluids (like on a Harley). I don't know the specifics, but I have read that the motorcycle specific oils are better for the clutches-less slippage. Just my 2 cents.

I think a general rule of thumb is - use a high quality oil that is motorcycle specific.

I tend not to use the synthetics in old bikes just because they weren't around when the bike was produced.

I doubt your shifting problems have to do with the oil. I've run all sorts of oil in many different bikes and have never noticed a significant difference.

AAAAAHHHHHHH, an oil thread!!!!!!

You can use any brand, SAE 10-W 30 or better. Just avoid the oils that have "friction fighters" as these will tend to cause more clutch slippage. Just change it often and dino or synthetic doesn't matter. The Redline gear oil is good stuff too, I use it in my Hawg.

Cary.

:huh: Has this oil question been asked before?

The shifting problem may be me but when I downshift through a couple of gears sometimes it doesn't shift the first time I hit the lever. It's not like it's something chunking or grinding or anything bad. I just have to hit the lever again and it clicks down. This only happens when I'm coming to a stop from highway speeds and don't do a clutch, downshift, clutch, downshift all the way through every gear. (not sure if I'm explaining that so anybody else can understand . <_<

What I'm trying to say is that from speed and coming to a stop I back off on the throttle, clutch, shift down, let the clutch out, clutch, shift down again, and pull the clutch and use brakes for the last 10 feet and shift several times down with the clutch in as I'm pulling to a stop. At that point it might only have down shifted to second or third even though I've clicked the lever down several times. To get it to shift down I let the clutch out slightly until I get a tiny amount of load on the engine, pull it back in, click the lever and all is well.

Only about a million times on a million different forums. ;) If you ask 20 different people you will get 20 different answers on this subject. The key is not which brand to use, but that you use a good quality oil, that isn't "enhanced" with friction reducers, and change it often. Beyond that, it's like saying a Honda is better than a Yamaha, which is better than a Suzuki. Their all good, just pick one and use it.

As for your clutch, what you describe is not unusual, especially when coming down from highway speeds. The engine and tranny aren't at the same speed when the clutch is disengaged, so sometimes the synchro gears can't mess. Let the clutch out, both parts get to near the same speed and then it shifts fine. Not an problem to worry about though, as long as you aren't hearing excessive noise or grinding.

That's pretty much the way I am seeing it also. It has to match the speeds of the shafts in order to actually get the gear change. No noise or roughness of any kind, it just doesn't "take" the shift unless I release the clutch a little between every gear on the downshifts. It just doesn't work out that way every time. I don't really need compression braking very often below 20 MPH or so........ :)

I'll figure out a technique that works for this. It's a tiny bit annoying to be futsing with the shifter, even for a couple of seconds, at a stop-and-go with traffic behind me.

As for the oil i can't argue with anyone ... Use a name brand... Castrol, Texaco, Havaline, list goes on but stay away from Walmart oil, Seven 11 oil, etc etc.


As for the slipping. Did you try reajusting your clutch cable? they do streach after a little time and wear. My XJ1100 was slipping so i reajusted my cable and now shes fine.

All,

I have a really good experience with the Amsoil synthetics on my 82 XJ750 Maxim.

Brian

Nope, clutch adjustment is fine. I've had no problems with the clutch slipping at all and it releases/engages at just the right point.