clutch job advice

[carl leo]

sometimes the spring stud comes out with the springs, nothing to worry about there.

[carl leo]

also, nasty looking oil, what are you running?

[rustynut51]

Mine the bolts all same length

[6ft1_grand]

also, nasty looking oil, what are you running?

I'm using Valvoline but I'm wanting to switch to something more high quality. Any recommendations?

[doug of so fla]

If you are using a (Energy Conserving oil) say Valvoline 10/30, that could make your clutch slip!!!! as it has "friction modifiers" that are not recommended for our M/C wet clutch applications. The oil that is most used by M/C riders is 15/40 Shell Rotella T, (says for diesel but it is perfect for the XII, $12.97 gal or the synthetic, Rotella T6, at $about $21.00gal both available at Walmart. XII takes 3qts 22oz, no more no less, (2ea!! drain plugs & filter,) do not worry about sight glass it rarely shows the right level.

[6ft1_grand]

The oil that I'm using is a motorcycle oil with the claim "SUPERIOR WET CLUTCH PROTECTION" declared on the label. Maybe I need to make the jump to something else, maybe it was the oil causing the slip....? I have to admit that I did make some economic decisions when selecting this oil. I know, I deserve a severe lashing for this poor choice but it appears I'm already paying the piper for my lapse in judgement. I will drop the (cheap) Valvoline and go on the prowl for something that is more conducive to making slimy parts not lose traction.

Since I'm in there, I am also going to replace the springs. I was talking to a friend of mine that used to rebuild motors and he told me that springs over time can lose strength. Since these springs are 20 years old, I'm thinking it is not beyond the realm of possibility that they're just old and tired and have gone all spongy on me. Too bad there isn't a little blue pill for springs./

[voyager55]

ty

[lockwoodjohn]

Hi 6ft1_ grand,
Also do not over tighten the drain plugs, Or the oil filter bolt. Easy thing do do. I use a tourque wrench. I think with out going out to shop and looking at manual 14 foot lbs, on oil filter bolt, And 21 foot lbs. on drain plugs. They strip real easy.
Take Care, Good luck on your clutch!
lockwoodjohn, John Kinney

[6ft1_grand]

I do believe that I have tracked down the source of my heartache.....



They are within service limits but just barely. Then again, the clutch was just barely slipping. New springs are on the way.

[6ft1_grand]

I did get the new springs installed and got the bike out for a test ride. I gave the throttle a hearty twist at points when I felt most likely to cause a slip in the clutch. I am happy to report that those slips did not occur despite my best efforts to force it to happen. I went with the stock springs as opposed to the carpal tunnel aggravating set.

[rustynut51]

glad it worked out for you

[ekap1200]

Good job John, Now on to the front end , what did you find there as your issue?
Good picture also
Gene Kap.

[6ft1_grand]

Front end just needed to be tightened up a little. I found a video on You Tube made by a guy on this forum explaining how to do it correctly (using the handy Gene socket, of course). Tighten a little, rock the front tire back and forth several times, tighten a little....ect. When I started I could pick up on the front tire and feel a little clunk in the front end. By the time I was done, things felt good and solid but not overly tight.

It's still a little cold around here so my test ride was only about 10 miles. I didn't get to spend a lot of time on the bike but I could tell the difference in the way it handled and seemed to take the wander out of it on the freeway. I'm looking forward to running a tank or two of gas through it and developing a more accurate opinion of the improvements.