help! need some confirmation

[mjpxs11sh]

im having the cold start starter clutch issue after bringing my bike outta storage. it will start without too much effort having mobil 1 20w50 and after warm it starts within less than a second. after reading about the issue here im planning on a seafoam mix b4 i change the oil n filter. i thought i previously read that members were using rotella t6 5w40 synth diesel so i bought a gal. today. i did a search here for rotella t6 aft i got home n im reading members saying dont use 5w cause it scores the cyl wall and the clearances arent tight. i dont know how long il keep the rotella in the bike im just interested to see if it will stop the starter clutch issue. its been a chilly spring in chicago , nly in the 50's 60's now. i figured the better cold flow rate would help cold starts. did i misinterpret?

[motoman]

Drop using either one of those choices. 20-50w conventinal dino year round.
Prior to introduction of 20-50w, it was 20-40w(specified in original owners manual).
BTW, 30+yrs. ago, I rode in ALot colder temps than you'll ever see in your neck of the woods(-30F) with my Venturer lubricated with 20-40w dino year-round. Prior to garage, it sat outside covered with heat lamp under it if was intending to ride it to work next day.
That same bike today runs 20-50wVav. conventional.......yr. round.

It may also take more than one oil change to get rid of the modifiers from clutch disc, as that IS what's causing the clutch slippage..............do NOT use syn. oils..............it is 'snake oil' at best for these old school motors........and your still gonna have blow-by contamination of the oil anyways(engine sump oil gets fuel/exhaust contamination, it doesn't 'break down' in itself from use), so syn. oil use is first off a waste of money, secondly, they don't play well with these wet clutches under heavy loads, and thirdly, if you think extended oil changes is your goal, your fooling yourself, but not the XS11 motor.

[Prisoner6]

Michael,

+1 on what Brant said ...

The tolerances on these old engines aren't as close as they are on newer engines, so definitely use 20W-50 conventional oil.

[mjpxs11sh]

+

thanx for ur replies. my clutch is fine n has never slipped. my issue is the starter clutch.:

[mjpxs11sh]

+

im looking for someone who has or is using rotella t6 5w40

[CaptonZap]

thanx for ur replies. my clutch is fine n has never slipped. my issue is the starter clutch.:

Motomans heat lamp method will cure the problem.
CZ

[BA80]

+2 on what the others have said. Any synthetics or diesel oils your asking for trouble with the clutch and the starter clutch.

I used Rotella in a lot of other bikes with no problem but with the XS11 it didn't play well with the clutch or the starter clutch.

[motoman]

thanx for ur replies. my clutch is fine n has never slipped. my issue is the starter clutch.:

........same,same........too slick for 'dogs' to stay engaged under the heavier load put on them when motor is cold.

Like I said, when younger and still invincible, those -30F temps, even with a heat lamp and blanket over it, I had a one ot two shot chance of it starting, since the battery was chattering in its box from the cold.
If I'd known then what I know now, the odds of it starting first go would of been better if I'd flipped petcocks to PRIME. I don't imagine there was enoung vacuum draw initially to unload those diaphrams as cold as they would of been.

[mjpxs11sh]

+

ok i returned the rotella today and il deal with it at a later date. i wasnt able to find a conventional oil in 20w50 i want. thanx to everyone, much appreciated!

[IanDMacDonald]

For what it's worth, I've found only a few places to sell 20W-50 oil, and usually Walmart had it cheapest. Not sure what's in the bike currently, but I've bought Valvoline, Walmart Supertech, and Castrol GTX in that viscosity from there. Did run Rotella T5 last year and had clutch slippage.

[Prisoner6]

Michael,

AutoZone or O'Reilly Auto Parts will also carry conventional 20W-50 oil, in various brands ...

Valvoline, Castrol GTX, Pennzoil, Quaker State ...

Personally, out of those four, I would go with either the Castrol or the Valvoline.

[jetmechmarty]

Autozone and Advance auto parts carry conventional motorcycle oil in 20W50. They seem to always have Castrol and/or Valvoline.

[TopCatGr58]

My Local Walmart didn't carry the Castrol GTX 20/50 during the winter months, but now that's it's spring almost summer, they have it back in stock, so it may be a seasonal thing? Just stock up in the fall for the next year!

T.C.