an oil question

[warfman41]

Hey guy's, I just bought a 1979 xs 1100 standard that had been sitting for some time, and was looking on here about oil type suggestion's so i could change the oil in the old girl. Saw a post on here by someone that people were having good luck with mobil 1 15w 50 synthetic oil, so that's what i used in it. But... i just read a post where a fellow was having clutch slippage problem's using synthetic oil. I'm new to the xs 11 community, could someone help me out and tell me if i should lose the synthetic oil before it cause's me problem's? thank's

[natemoen]

Synthetic pretty much always causes the clutcg to slip(a rare few have.made it work but that is usually only with new clutch friction discs). 20/50 mineral oil is the correct oil to use. Make sure whatever oil you do use does npt have friction modifiers in it as that also will cause clutch slip.

So I would say dump the synthetic, especially on a new to you bike.

[Lonerider62]

Just make sure it's a motorcycle oil (no friction modifiers) and you'll be OK. The problem with using an automotive oil in a bike with a wet clutch, fed by the crankcase, is obviously a friction modifier in the lubricant can be detrimental to the friction needed for proper clutch plate action.

[warfman41]

thank's

Thank's very much for the info guy's. I think i screwed up, because it's an automotive oil that i used, so i think it had better hit the old drain pan. lol probably switch to 20w 50 castrol. Again, thank's for the response.

[BA80]

Synthetic pretty much always causes the clutcg to slip(a rare few have.made it work but that is usually only with new clutch friction discs). 20/50 mineral oil is the correct oil to use. Make sure whatever oil you do use does npt have friction modifiers in it as that also will cause clutch slip.

So I would say dump the synthetic, especially on a new to you bike.

+1 on what Nate says. BTW......WHERE'S THE PICS??????

[warfman41]

pic's

Hey Greg, gonna get some pic's on here soon. Had to run me down a sidecover, got lucky and found one on Ebay. Kinda want to get it painted and on the bike before i put the pic's on here. Want the old girl to look her best before she go's to the ball...

[Kevin W]

Warfman41,
The only time I experienced ANY clutch slippage was at high speeds, high rpms. I'm actually a fairly conservative rider so I only experienced it a couple times the whole time I rode it! That's not very much. I read a post somewhere on here that says that the synthetic oil cleans things up in the engine so maybe you want to run it in there for a few miles?
fwiw
KW

[warfman41]

thanks kevin

Yeah Kevin, I think that would probably be a good idea. Haven't got to ride the bike much, just around the country road's here where i live, but the clutch doesn't seem to be slipping at all. I think i will run the oil for a few mile's, then probably switch over to 20w/50 castrol. Kinda hate to drain it right out, since it cost almost $9.00 a quart. Thank's for the input friend. Warfman

[New2Me]

Hey Greg, gonna get some pic's on here soon. Had to run me down a sidecover, got lucky and found one on Ebay. Kinda want to get it painted and on the bike before i put the pic's on here. Want the old girl to look her best before she go's to the ball...

Noway you got to show the before picture so we can appreciate the work you put into it. Not that we wouldn't anyways.

[madmax-im]

There should be a circle type symbol on the back of each can if it says energy conserving...then you DO NOT WANT THAT...The friction modifier is usually Moly..you want NO Moly. It matters not if its synthetic or dino.

[ddragon63]

Plain old Castrol or Valvoline 4T 20w-50 motorcycle oil. You can get one or the other @ auto zone or wal-mart. Usually Wal-mart havs the Valvoline for under $4 a quart. I put 10 ounces of Lucas oil stabilizer in with my oil in the XS too... In my personal experience it helps keep the viscosity of the oil from breaking down as fast, helps quite the gear box too. If your going to use some Lucas in your oil DO NOT put more than about 12 ounces in it. Your clutch will wanna slip with the extra slick stuff. I like to pretend it helps keep the oil stuck to my cam chain so it will last longer Not everyone will agree with me... but i'm use to that

[airborneXS]

ive been using the lucas oil with lucas motorycycle oil stabilizer in all my bikes, never had a problem....i get some people calling me a fool and others calling me a genius, but ive never had a problem, that is except for when the wife ran her bual OUT of oil...lol