There were all sorts of anecdotal stories about synthetics and the havoc they wreaked on clutches in the Virago forum I belonged to. Mobil1 also made a lot of statements and disclaimers regarding the reason for the different type of oil for air cooled engines/bikes, and how the additives they had in the V series oil were critical to proper clutch operation.
I used to buy it by the case (six bottles) from a place in Miami that sold all sorts of unusual lubricants. They would have it on special twice a year for $50/case shipped. Last time I looked at it here at a FLAPS it was over $10/quart. Dan On Feb 15, 2013, at 3:45 PM, Mitch Haley wrote: > Curt Raymond wrote: > >> I used M1 5w40 in my motorcycles (both asian bikes) with excellent results. >> Loads of people told me I'd have troubles with clutch slippage but I haven't >> seen that. I guess if you use the "energy conserving" oil that can happen >> but that badge isn't on the 5w40. > > Back in the 1980s I tried 15w50 in my CB200 when it became available. (M1 was > initially 5w30) > > Couldn't break the clutch loose by rolling on the throttle, but if I launched > it hard or shifted fast, the clutch could not pull the engine (all 16hp of > it) down to match road speed. Dumping the clutch at a standing start would > just let the engine rev until the bike caught up to the engine's speed. > > After my next oil change, it went back to normal behavior, in which dumping > the clutch from standstill would result in wheelspin and a little wheelie, > and shifting under power would result in the bike lunging forward instead of > clutch slipping. > > I suppose it all depends on how strong the clutch is in relation to the > engine, but 1980s Mobil One definitely reduced the friction in a wet clutch > as compared to dino oils of the time. > > Mitch. > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com