clutch & oil??

TheWizard · 08-22-2014, 02:25 PM

I've been using Rotella for quite some time now, particularly T6 syn....There have been some issues arise, mainly clutch oriented...which give me some concern...I have a 900LT that, when the Rotella T6 got 'old'...I had clutch chatter that sounded exactly like a bearing gone bad......I even pulled the side case to check it and put in a new clutch since I had 63000 km on it. The old fibers were still well in spec, but seeing as the case was off I figured installing a new one wouldn't hurt.....I soon found that there was not much difference..So on a whim I drained the T6 and put in Rotella 15/40 dino......took it for a run and the chatter was gone.....and I'm still using 15/40 in the 900.....Now for the Vaquero. I've used Rotella T6 in it since about 1000 km and there is now 31000 km on it....Just this past week I noticed that I was getting a similar issue I had with the other bike....only this seemed more of a grind/chatter....and shifting was pretty rough..Now when I hear stuff like this on a good machine that's three years old I get that gnawing feeling in my gut that I have to replace a clutch and that there may be other issues as well. Since I've read that clutch life on the 1700 is close to 35000 km or so I figured that a clutch might have been in order..But first I wanted to see if there was anything in the oil...so I drained it..ran it through a medical nylon sieve and nothing...not even an aluminum flake....the oil with about 6ooo km on it was pretty clean too....I changed the filter...dumped some Rotella 15/40 dino into the motor...took it for a run and ....yep.....shifting was good...no grab like before and the grind/chatter...gone too.....

What I'd like to know is..Has any one else experienced anything similar???

**Jared** · 08-22-2014, 03:43 PM

I've run the same stuff and in 5 different bikes, including a vn900 and my Nomad and never had the problem you're describing. How long are you trying to run the oil for?

TheWizard · 08-22-2014, 03:47 PM

Don't keep it in for any longer than 6-7000 kms......Even when I over stay a change in the 900 with the dino stuff ....I don't get this...

recumbentbob · 08-22-2014, 04:13 PM

When I used t6. in my 08 nomad 1600 shifting would get stiff around 2700 miles. I changed oil every 3000 miles never had any noises or clutch issues in 33000 miles I traded it in on a Victory earlier this year.

RACNRAY · 08-22-2014, 04:16 PM

Clutch life on the 1700's is very good, I have close to 63,000 mils on my 2011 Vaquero with the original clutch, I believe there is a forum member with over 300,000 km with the original clutch on his 1700.

Awhile back I had a few of my customers that had switched from either Mobil 1 m/c oil or Amsoil m/c oil to Shell Rotella. They all made the same observations. There was more engine noise, the transmissions did not shift as smoothly and I believe all 3 of them felt the oil deteriorated sooner the the oils they were using. None of them kept the oil in as long as they usually do.

Sounds like the Rotella is deteriorating in some way to cause ur clutch problem, I believe you need to listen to what ur clutch is telling you. .

RACNRAY

TheWizard · 08-22-2014, 04:30 PM

Thanks RACNRAY..............I have listened....believe me......I sure as hell didn't think I was going nuts.......That's the one thing that I have noticed about Rotella.....Not sure of the benefits though if oil changes have to be shortened to eliminate issues that crop up when Rotella is used.....I'm beginning to think that the other good brands ...Amsoil....Kawi syn....and a couple more maybe a better bet........thanks for the objective input......

Gypsy Dragon · 08-22-2014, 04:57 PM

I run the T6 in my Z1000, but I change it every 2500. Haven't noticed anything like what you describe, but I'm probably not giving it enough time.

jase64 · 08-22-2014, 05:15 PM

i use AMS 10/40 without issue.. i tried others but i feel safer with AMS. It's worth the extra money to have peice of mind.

ACDCfn · 08-22-2014, 07:54 PM

I've used Rotella T6 in my last 3 bikes. Change it every 3,000 never had any issues. That being said, I'd listen to RacNRay as his experience in MC repairs goes far beyond my 3 bikes

**ringadingh** · 08-22-2014, 08:27 PM

Ive used the Rotella dino oil for the past 6-7 years with no problems, I change it every 5000km or 3000 miles. Ive also tried the Rotella synthetic oil with good results as well.

doctorgski · 08-23-2014, 12:13 PM

I used T6 Rotella for about two years. Always noticed that the shifting got a little harder at about 2500 to 3000 miles. That's when I would change the oil. I now use Mobil 1 or Castrol full synthetic MC oil. I don't change the oil until 5000 miles and the shifting stays smooth the entire time.

dshelly · 08-23-2014, 01:12 PM

Seems we get an awful lot of guys that post on here that they have clutch issues after using Rotella T6 Oil. ( I am one of them). We also have the masses that say " I use it and have had no problems.

So my question is, why do you use the Rotella?? Because it's cheap and you can get it at Walmart ? If that is the case then check this out.....

I switched to Mobil 1 4T 10w-40 (specifically made for motorcycles). I have had no issues with my clutch since. Now.... A gallon of Rotella will cost you $21.74 at Walmart and a Quart of Mobil 1 4T (also from Walmart) will run you $9.97. So if you Rotella guys are changing your oil (with a filter, roughly $6 ) at 3000 miles over 5 oil changes you will spend around $125.10 .. Now I change my Mobil 1 every 5000 miles and have had no hard shifting problems at all. I am spending $122.67 . So where is the savings here ?????

TheWizard · 08-23-2014, 04:13 PM

dshelly......THAT was one of my points.....Man I ride a lot...my main mode of transportation......pleasure and work..In April I took the bike out it had just shy of 17K...it now has as of today 31000 km.......Ive gone through 5 oil changes.....with T6......and that was pushing the limit.....Can't say I'm sold on Rotella....even though I've been using it for a while...Definitely gonna try something else..don't know what but definitely something else....

gv550 · 08-24-2014, 12:48 PM

I've been using kawasaki 10w40 synthetic oil for 869,000 kms.
No clutch chatter, or slipping, and never replaced any clutch parts.
Just sayin'

boyntonbeachrider · 08-24-2014, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gv550

I've been using kawasaki 10w40 synthetic oil for 869,000 kms.
No clutch chatter, or slipping, and never replaced any clutch parts.
Just sayin'

Man that is some awesome mileage. Hope my Vaq can last that long.

08-22-2014, 02:25 PM	#1
TheWizard Jr. Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Corner Brook, NL Canada Posts: 26	clutch & oil?? I've been using Rotella for quite some time now, particularly T6 syn....There have been some issues arise, mainly clutch oriented...which give me some concern...I have a 900LT that, when the Rotella T6 got 'old'...I had clutch chatter that sounded exactly like a bearing gone bad......I even pulled the side case to check it and put in a new clutch since I had 63000 km on it. The old fibers were still well in spec, but seeing as the case was off I figured installing a new one wouldn't hurt.....I soon found that there was not much difference..So on a whim I drained the T6 and put in Rotella 15/40 dino......took it for a run and the chatter was gone.....and I'm still using 15/40 in the 900.....Now for the Vaquero. I've used Rotella T6 in it since about 1000 km and there is now 31000 km on it....Just this past week I noticed that I was getting a similar issue I had with the other bike....only this seemed more of a grind/chatter....and shifting was pretty rough..Now when I hear stuff like this on a good machine that's three years old I get that gnawing feeling in my gut that I have to replace a clutch and that there may be other issues as well. Since I've read that clutch life on the 1700 is close to 35000 km or so I figured that a clutch might have been in order..But first I wanted to see if there was anything in the oil...so I drained it..ran it through a medical nylon sieve and nothing...not even an aluminum flake....the oil with about 6ooo km on it was pretty clean too....I changed the filter...dumped some Rotella 15/40 dino into the motor...took it for a run and ....yep.....shifting was good...no grab like before and the grind/chatter...gone too..... What I'd like to know is..Has any one else experienced anything similar??? Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by TheWizard; 08-22-2014 at 02:28 PM.
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08-22-2014, 03:43 PM	#2
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	I've run the same stuff and in 5 different bikes, including a vn900 and my Nomad and never had the problem you're describing. How long are you trying to run the oil for? __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President)
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08-22-2014, 04:13 PM	#4
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	When I used t6. in my 08 nomad 1600 shifting would get stiff around 2700 miles. I changed oil every 3000 miles never had any noises or clutch issues in 33000 miles I traded it in on a Victory earlier this year. __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Last edited by recumbentbob; 08-22-2014 at 04:45 PM.
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08-22-2014, 04:16 PM	#5
RACNRAY Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: SOUTH FLORIDA Posts: 1,210	Clutch life on the 1700's is very good, I have close to 63,000 mils on my 2011 Vaquero with the original clutch, I believe there is a forum member with over 300,000 km with the original clutch on his 1700. Awhile back I had a few of my customers that had switched from either Mobil 1 m/c oil or Amsoil m/c oil to Shell Rotella. They all made the same observations. There was more engine noise, the transmissions did not shift as smoothly and I believe all 3 of them felt the oil deteriorated sooner the the oils they were using. None of them kept the oil in as long as they usually do. Sounds like the Rotella is deteriorating in some way to cause ur clutch problem, I believe you need to listen to what ur clutch is telling you. . RACNRAY __________________ "TRUE HAPPINESS IS IN THE HEART, NOT IN THE OUTSIDE FIXES" WITH OVER 46 YEARS AS A MOTORCYCLE TECHNICIAN/HI-PO SHOP OWNER I AM A PURVEYOR OF FACT NOT FICTION! "WE LIVE OUR LIVES IN CHAINS NEVER KNOWING WE HAD THE KEY" Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by RACNRAY; 08-22-2014 at 04:48 PM.
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08-22-2014, 04:57 PM	#7
Gypsy Dragon Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Round Rock, Tx. Posts: 493	I run the T6 in my Z1000, but I change it every 2500. Haven't noticed anything like what you describe, but I'm probably not giving it enough time. __________________ 1997 KZ1000 Police 2003 Kawasaki Z1000 w/ 149k mi (sold) (un-sold!) 2013 Vaquero in Green (the fastest color) Thunder Mfg Prototype Hi Performance Kit Rev 2 109 cid Klockwerks Windshield Corbin Young Gun Throttle Mod Freedom Performance 2-1 Roarin Toyz Intake PCV with AutoTune Ivanized ECU
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08-22-2014, 03:47 PM	#3
TheWizard Jr. Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Corner Brook, NL Canada Posts: 26	Don't keep it in for any longer than 6-7000 kms......Even when I over stay a change in the 900 with the dino stuff ....I don't get this...
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08-22-2014, 04:30 PM	#6
TheWizard Jr. Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Corner Brook, NL Canada Posts: 26	Thanks RACNRAY..............I have listened....believe me......I sure as hell didn't think I was going nuts.......That's the one thing that I have noticed about Rotella.....Not sure of the benefits though if oil changes have to be shortened to eliminate issues that crop up when Rotella is used.....I'm beginning to think that the other good brands ...Amsoil....Kawi syn....and a couple more maybe a better bet........thanks for the objective input......
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08-22-2014, 05:15 PM	#8
jase64 Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Spencer MA Posts: 98	i use AMS 10/40 without issue.. i tried others but i feel safer with AMS. It's worth the extra money to have peice of mind. __________________ 2011 BLACK VAQUERO FP Combat 2-1 exhaust EJK GEN 3 DRIVING AUX LIGHTS KURYAKYN GRIPS RAY'S THROTTLE MODE CORBIN YOUNG GUNS SEAT CHROME TANK COVER 14" WINDSHEILD INFINITY SPEAKERS KURYAKYN CUP HOLDER IPOD CONNECTOR TORDADO AIR KIT RIDE THE LIGHTNING
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08-22-2014, 07:54 PM	#9
ACDCfn Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 113	I've used Rotella T6 in my last 3 bikes. Change it every 3,000 never had any issues. That being said, I'd listen to RacNRay as his experience in MC repairs goes far beyond my 3 bikes
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08-22-2014, 08:27 PM	#10
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Ive used the Rotella dino oil for the past 6-7 years with no problems, I change it every 5000km or 3000 miles. Ive also tried the Rotella synthetic oil with good results as well. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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08-23-2014, 12:13 PM	#11
doctorgski Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ft Myers FL Most of the time Posts: 218	I used T6 Rotella for about two years. Always noticed that the shifting got a little harder at about 2500 to 3000 miles. That's when I would change the oil. I now use Mobil 1 or Castrol full synthetic MC oil. I don't change the oil until 5000 miles and the shifting stays smooth the entire time.
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08-23-2014, 01:12 PM	#12
dshelly Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgrade, MT Posts: 2,824	Seems we get an awful lot of guys that post on here that they have clutch issues after using Rotella T6 Oil. ( I am one of them). We also have the masses that say " I use it and have had no problems. So my question is, why do you use the Rotella?? Because it's cheap and you can get it at Walmart ? If that is the case then check this out..... I switched to Mobil 1 4T 10w-40 (specifically made for motorcycles). I have had no issues with my clutch since. Now.... A gallon of Rotella will cost you $21.74 at Walmart and a Quart of Mobil 1 4T (also from Walmart) will run you $9.97. So if you Rotella guys are changing your oil (with a filter, roughly $6 ) at 3000 miles over 5 oil changes you will spend around $125.10 .. Now I change my Mobil 1 every 5000 miles and have had no hard shifting problems at all. I am spending $122.67 . So where is the savings here ????? __________________ Dave "(dshelly)" Shellenberger 2014 Harley Ultra Classic 2007 1600 Nomad (Black) Shellenberger Machine Belgrade, MT Various Bagger Member (Harley Chapter) VBA # 2395
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08-23-2014, 04:13 PM	#13
TheWizard Jr. Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Corner Brook, NL Canada Posts: 26	dshelly......THAT was one of my points.....Man I ride a lot...my main mode of transportation......pleasure and work..In April I took the bike out it had just shy of 17K...it now has as of today 31000 km.......Ive gone through 5 oil changes.....with T6......and that was pushing the limit.....Can't say I'm sold on Rotella....even though I've been using it for a while...Definitely gonna try something else..don't know what but definitely something else....
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08-24-2014, 12:48 PM	#14
gv550 Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Listowel, Ontario Posts: 642	I've been using kawasaki 10w40 synthetic oil for 869,000 kms. No clutch chatter, or slipping, and never replaced any clutch parts. Just sayin' __________________ Garry 2009 1700 Voyager KACT, sold at 679,465 kms 2011 1700 Nomad Improve handling, suspension and tire life with Garry's Fork Brace. PM for details.
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