Iam an idiot...wrong oil

[Anonymous]

for some insane reason I put regular automotive oil (10w40) in my 79 GS550E..now I have a slipping clutch and out of phase exhaust poping when I down shift, the popping may not be linked to the oil..but I really need help... can I fix this without changing my clutch? ie.. using the proper oil? Ive only ridden at the most, 1 mile with this oil in. any input would be helpfull, thanks.

[Billy Ricks]

Just change the oil. Check the oil's rating. Even automotive oil is fine as long as it doesn't contain the anti-friction additives of many oils. You want an oil with an SF or SE rating.

[chuckycheese]

What type

Hey Metalbox,.....just out of curiosity, what brand was the oil you used? The reason I ask is because most 10-40W isn't the EC type. I hope you got your problem fixed and I agree with Billy...you should be alright.

[Anonymous]

!

will the oil have any harmfull effects on the clutch? I assumed that the plates might soak up the other oil.

[Billy Ricks]

It may slip a little while until the new oil works its way into the plates. But the slipping should clear up.

[mdole]

I had a similar experience with my V65 Sabre a couple of years ago. I was on the road and got the oil changed at an independent shop that put an oil in that caused my clutch to slip. If I remember right it was Motul oil but I can?t remember the specifics.

After the oil change I noticed any time I got on the throttle the clutch would slip. I road the bike home, about 700 miles, taking it easy so the clutch didn't slip. At that time I hadn't had any trouble with oils that I used and so I tried changing the oil back to the typical Castrol dyno oil that I used.

The clutch still slipped a little but it took a lot more throttle to get it to start. I ran that oil for about 1500 miles and the clutch kept getting better. Then I changed the oil again and the slipping totally stopped.

Mike

[HiSPL]

Ummm, I use dead dino car oil all the time.......Guess I'm too cheap to buy Harley oil :roll: ...

[Anonymous]

I only use automotive oil, Castrol GTX 10W40. Right now there's Wolf's Head oil in it, 10w30 (I know, I know, wrong weight) and I don't experience any slipping, even under heavy, "Look mom, 1 wheel" action. I ride a 78gs750. If you are experiencing problems, it may be a sign that your clutch really IS worn, but you can just change it back to the 6 dollar a quart oil and if it isn't worn, it'll fix it... back to what it was.