Oil changed - clutch problem. Help!

[Piterski]

Hello folks!
I'm in trouble. Here is the story:
I had my bike (02 MS) stored in winter with regular mineral oil in. We started to have a nice weather and I decided to have my bike ready for upcoming riding season. I started it, warmed it up and had couple of circles around my neighborhood. Everything was so promising. Then I drained used oil and put in Rotella-T Synthetic (5W-40), that many of you mentioned in the forum. But after that switch (mineral to synthetic) I have started to have a problem with the clutch. It doesn't completely disengaged. I have a problem even to put the first gear in with an idle run engine regime. I tried to have my bike moved with engine off, first gear in and clutch disengaged, but I couldn't. I know everything worked OK before I put this synthetic oil in. Now, I have no idea what happened. I'm about to buy mineral oil to put it in and try my clutch, but I don't think there is a problem with a clutch in my case. Is it oil? Please, your thoughts! Thanks in advance everyone!

[eglass64]

I don't think its the oil, I also dont know whats wrong with your ride, sorry. Someone here will have an answer though, stick around.

[2WheelFun]

Unless the Rotella oil was mis-marked I doubt it's the oil causing problems. Who knows...maybe there is a first time for this to appear?

[dickwol]

Originally Posted by eglass64

I don't think its the oil, I also dont know whats wrong with your ride, sorry. Someone here will have an answer though, stick around.

I think that it is indeed the oil. Remember that is a wet clutch. I know that a lot of people do use synthetic oil without problems but I also know that my Kawi mechanic recommends mineral based oil. I've talked to other bike owners who have experienced clutch problems (minor slippage) with synthetic only to have it dissapear once they went back to mineral. I'm sure that you'll get more expert advice on this subject by others shortly.

[2WheelFun]

Originally Posted by ****wol

I think that it is indeed the oil. Remember that is a wet clutch. I know that a lot of people do use synthetic oil without problems but I also know that my Kawi mechanic recommends mineral based oil. I've talked to other bike owners who have experienced clutch problems once they went over to synthetic. I'm sure that you'll get more expert advice on this subject by others shortly.

This is interesting. I used dino oil up until 8,000 miles then switched to synthetic oil without any problems. I now have 21,000 miles on the bike and it runs and shifts great.

Maybe some bikes clutch parts are manufactured elsewhere?

[Xlr8n]

Sounds like your clutch may need adjustment. Usually the only problem you'd have with the wet clutch pertaining to oil is excessive slippage if you had used the wrong type of oil, which you didn't.

[dickwol]

Originally Posted by Xlr8n

Sounds like your clutch may need adjustment. Usually the only problem you'd have with the wet clutch pertaining to oil is excessive slippage if you had used the wrong type of oil, which you didn't.

I belive that is a hydraulic clutch which doesn't need adjusting.

[Piterski]

Originally Posted by ****wol

I belive that is a hydraulic clutch which doesn't need adjusting.

It is hydraulic clutch - not adjutant as per manual.
I definitely will go with mineral shortly to see if the problem disappears.
If it does, then there is something different with canadian models or at least with mine! I let you know. Thanks for responses I got so far! Great to be here with you guys

[bross]

Originally Posted by Piterski

It is hydraulic clutch - not adjutant as per manual.
I definitely will go with mineral shortly to see if the problem disappears.
If it does, then there is something different with canadian models or at least with mine! I let you know. Thanks for responses I got so far! Great to be here with you guys

Definitely nothing different between the Canadian and the 49 State US models. And I really don't think it would be the oil causing the problem. I'm not familiar with the Rotella oil, did it say "Energy Conserving" in the API rating circle? That's the only thing you really need to stay away from as far as our wet clutches go. I have been running synthetic oil in my 04 MeanStreak (Canadian) for over 20,000kms with absolutely zero problems, it runs way better, shifts smoother, clutch action is actually more positive than with dino oil. You didn't mention the mileage, maybe your clutch is due for replacement and it's just a coincidence that it showed up at the same time you did your oil change.

[NY_Guy]

When you guys say "mineral oil," do you mean the clear stuff people give cats with fur balls? Be careful, I've got 5 cats!

[bross]

Originally Posted by NY_Guy

When you guys say "mineral oil," do you mean the clear stuff people give cats with fur balls? Be careful, I've got 5 cats!

I'm sure he meant dino oil or regular oil. I use mineral oil in our KTM clutch, it's a Magura and for some strange reason they use mineral oil instead of brake fluid??? Not sure why.

[Kebo]

How many miles do you have on the scoot? It has been reported over on VROC with users with the same problems. It could be that your clutch spring is wearing out. Many people don't see a problem with worn clutch springs until they go to synthetic oil.......myself being one of them. I would bet that if you have more than 15,000 miles on your bike......it is the spring. I replaced mine and added "judges" washers and everything is right as rain. Now before I get flamed.......I am not saying that all bikes that have more than 15,000 miles have worn out clutch springs.......I am just saying that it is a real distinct possibility. Just ask around and check out VROC for another opinion.
Kebo

[Xlr8n]

Originally Posted by ****wol

I belive that is a hydraulic clutch which doesn't need adjusting.

Now I see he had "02 MS" right in his initial post! My bad.

As far as the bad clutch spring goes, don't alot of guys replace their spring with the MS spring which is supposed to be heavier and not as prone to failure??

[Piterski]

Originally Posted by Kebo

I would bet that if you have more than 15,000 miles on your bike......it is the spring. I replaced mine and added "judges" washers and everything is right as rain. Now before I get flamed.......I am not saying that all bikes that have more than 15,000 miles have worn out clutch springs.......I am just saying that it is a real distinct possibility. Just ask around and check out VROC for another opinion.
Kebo

Thank you for your thoughts everyone!

Well. It has just 12,000km (~8,000mi).
I bought it from one owner and he had semi synthetic in. I put dyno oil for the winter and then you know Rotella.
Spoke with mechanic. He suggested:
- warm up the engine and turn it off
- put front wheel against the wall
- put third gear in
- start the engine
- let clutch lever slowly OUT and IN for 2-3 seconds, which he believes should disengage the clutch plates.

I thought again what happend and have some conclusion that I ask for your opinion:
After I drained the old oil I let the bike sit for 30-40min (for some family reason - kids) then I put new Rotella oil in. Is it possible that rapid temperature change caused clutch plates stack in?

[OldStreak]

Originally Posted by Piterski

Thank you for your thoughts everyone!



I thought again what happend and have some conclusion that I ask for your opinion:
After I drained the old oil I let the bike sit for 30-40min (for some family reason - kids) then I put new Rotella oil in. Is it possible that rapid temperature change caused clutch plates stack in?

Doubt that...I always let the stuff drain as long as my patience holds out...either car or bike. Normally about 20 to 30 minutes
I just switched to Synthetic yesterday...no issues.

[Piterski]

Originally Posted by OldStreak

Doubt that...I always let the stuff drain as long as my patience holds out...either car or bike. Normally about 20 to 30 minutes
I just switched to Synthetic yesterday...no issues.

Agree 100%.
Drained the oil. Checked master and slave cylinders. When squeezing clutch lever feeling the pressure. Everything looks OK on "left side".
Still, the clutch doesn't disengaged. Started to take a part "right side".
But I'm not sure what I'm looking for to check.
Is it the spring or .. ? Please, if anyone dealt with the clutch let me know what should I check in my case?
Thanks in advance!!!!!!!!
P.S.
Oh, other mechanic said that synthetic oil may caused clutch friction plates to swallow, which leaded to my clutch disengagement problem. ?????

[bross]

Originally Posted by Piterski

Agree 100%.
Drained the oil. Checked master and slave cylinders. When squeezing clutch lever feeling the pressure. Everything looks OK on "left side".
Still, the clutch doesn't disengaged. Started to take a part "right side".
But I'm not sure what I'm looking for to check.
Is it the spring or .. ? Please, if anyone dealt with the clutch let me know what should I check in my case?
Thanks in advance!!!!!!!!
P.S.
Oh, other mechanic said that synthetic oil may caused clutch friction plates to swallow, which leaded to my clutch disengagement problem. ?????

Check out gadgets site, he has pretty much anything you ever wanted to know about Vulcans
Clutch spring replacement
http://www.gadgetjq.com/clutch_spring_replacement.htm

[Targetbuster]

Keep us posted about your progress. I personally feel the clutch in the MS could be a bit heavier but I have had no real "problems" with using synthetic oil. Although I could see how decreased friction in the setup could cause probs. Hope you get it fixed soon.

[2WheelFun]

Originally Posted by NY_Guy

When you guys say "mineral oil," do you mean the clear stuff people give cats with fur balls? Be careful, I've got 5 cats!

LMAO!!!!


Here kitty...kitty...kitty...

[dickwol]

Originally Posted by whistle clean

LMAO!!!!
Here kitty...kitty...kitty...

Yes, indeed it works on fur balls. Only have the one cat that we treat with that mineral oil. I've found that my Vulcan seems to perform best when I use extra virgin olive oil. No problems at all with the clutch plates and when it comes time the oil change it can be reconstituted and used for salads.