Author Topic: Clutch Slippage: My Oil or Worn Clutch Plates (Read 3989 times)

jwalters · « **on:** September 21, 2005, 03:41:50 PM »

Hello, I just recently changed my oil to Mobil 5-40 SUV & Truck oil. I noticed I get clutch slippage when riding hard in second gear. I also had this happen with other oils, MX4T, but I just started noticing it again after changing my oil a few days ago.

I know oil can cause clutch slippage, but my bike also has 40,100 miles on it . I bought it will 30K and I don't know if the clutch plates have ever been changed. I know oil can cause clutch slippage, but with 40K on my bike, could it also be from worn clutch plates?

PaulVS · « **Reply #1 on:** September 21, 2005, 04:25:17 PM »

I think the 'slipperyness' of synthetic could possibly exacerbate the problem... but I would guess the clutch on a Bandit would wear out right around 40k miles.

I don't know of anyone with a newer clutch who has slippage issues with any synthetic.

jwalters · « **Reply #2 on:** September 21, 2005, 04:34:07 PM »

Thanks that is what I was thinking Paul. The clutch is "on it's way out" and this oil is just magnifying the problem. So, clutch plate replacement could fix this correct? Anything I should know before I get stared that my service manual won't mention or is it as straightfoward as it sounds?
Thanks.

jesse

PaulVS · « **Reply #3 on:** September 21, 2005, 04:40:21 PM »

Voila...

http://home.mindspring.com/~carlparker/clutch.htm

jwalters · « **Reply #4 on:** September 21, 2005, 04:41:17 PM »

You da man!

ray nielsen · « **Reply #5 on:** September 21, 2005, 10:43:05 PM »

Often clutch slippage is due to glazed plates and/or spring sacking and the associated reduced tension.

2nd Gen. Bandit 1200s have a stronger spring and modified hydraulics and that may be a worthwhile upgrade if you need to do a clutch job, assuming the newer parts are backwards compatible.

Mobil 1 Truck and SUV oil does NOT have friction modifiers and should not cause problems. As for "slipperiness" of synthetics I doubt it. They have to meet the same viscosity numbers as on the container whether they're regular or synthetic oils.

While I don't ride my Bandit hard, I too use the 5W-40 Truck and SUV oil with good results. No clutch slippage noticed yet, but I"m only at 21K mles and they're mostly touring miles.

jwalters · « **Reply #6 on:** September 23, 2005, 04:43:52 PM »

I changed my oil last night to non-synthetic oil (10w-40). I am not getting any slippage now, but I also noticed that if I grab the SLIGHTEST amount of clutch while accelerating in 2nd or 3rd gear at 4K rpm, it will slip.

I think the take home message here is, my plates need replacement, and running non-synthetic will get me buy for a bit longer, so I think I am going to do a holeshot clutch kit as soon as I get some extra $$. That kit contains better springs as ray mentioned too.

Thanks again for all your comments.
jesse

PeteSC · « **Reply #7 on:** September 23, 2005, 06:36:36 PM »

My '99 was slipping similarily with full synthetic.....stopped when I switched back to regular dyno squeezin's, or semi-synth.
It doesn't happen to all bikes. May be a combination of riding style, clutch condition, and your karma.....

jwalters · « **Reply #8 on:** September 23, 2005, 09:01:52 PM »

Good point, Karma, forgot about that.

jesse