Clutch slipping after oil top off

[GS_Jay]

So last night (Sunday) I was on my way out to bike night and noticed that I was a bit low on oil, however, the only oil I had on hand was amsoil synthetic 20W50 V-twin oil. I added about 1.5 pts and went on my way. Well as I was getting on the freeway, I went to give it the beans and anything past 6k rpm it just revs. I got it to hold every gear up to around 6k-6500 but anywhere north of there and it won't hold. Did the V-twin oil fry my clutch?

[storm 64]

I thought everyone knew it's not good to run synthetic oil in these engines...
By the way what Bike Nite were you going to? I'm always looking for a place to ride to. 👍

[Nessism]

I ran synthetic oil in all my GS's and now in my KZ. Never a clutch issue. Sounds like you need new clutch springs.

BTW, that oil is MA/MA-2 certified for wet clutch use.

[GS_Jay]

It's a small family owned bar on Harvard ave here in Cleveland. They hold a bike night every Sunday evening until 10p. The same family holds another bike night every Wednesday at Southgate lanes in Maple heights until 10p. I am the champion of the slow drags at that one.

As far as synthetic goes, I used to run amsoil synthetic in my 1100gk as standard. Never had an issue. I was really just thinking that the V-twin oil may have something in it (or not in it) that keeps it from holding clutch friction. Theoretically, that shouldn't be the case because most v-twins are torque monsters and need all the friction they can get in order for the clutch to hold it.

[storm 64]

I'll try to get up there to the Bike Nite Wednesday. Sounds like a nice place.

As far as the oil goes, some people love the synthetic, some people hate it. I never had any positive results with it. I've had two different motorcycle engines leak oil after I made the switch to synthetic. I gess the added detergents find a way to get through the gaskets... No leaks with conventional oil, in my experience.

[GS_Jay]

Looking forward to seeing you there. I'll be the skinny guy hovering over the grill!

Looks like I'll be putting a clutch in the beast this weekend. I'll change the oil out tonight to conventional but idk if it's going to bring it back. Usually once the clutch starts slipping, it's a done deal.

[Nessism]

As previously mentioned, new clutch springs are the starting point. I'd leave the oil alone. Move to other approaches if that fails, such as new fiber plates and/or oil.

[storm 64]

Jay, I'll private message you Wednesday if I plan on coming up. I'll be watching the weather, I don't mind riding in the rain. But if no one is going to be there no sence of coming up.

Listen to Mr. Nessism, he knows a lot more than me. I was just giving my personal experience. Like I said, some people love the synthetic. It works great in my Lear Jet...

[GS_Jay]

Thanks for your input. I'll replace the springs this week sometime and report back. I'm still going to change the oil, it's due for an oil and filter change anyways.

[GS_Jay]

If it's raining, the bowling alley will have a low turnout. In those cases I ride over to Quaker steak and lube in valley view. Those guys have bike night every Wednesday 5p-10p but the food prices are astronomical. The bowling alley has bike night/happy hour food specials so I prefer to go there rather than Quaker.

[bobgroger]

Harleys have a separate transmission, not sure if that takes a different oil...

[GS_Jay]

Just an update: Changed the clutch springs out for some EBC heavy duty springs and changed the oil to 10w40 conventional. Back to the power house that I'm use to.

[Steve]

Good luck on building up the arm strength.

STOCK springs were all you needed. They will work, even with a decent big-bore kit with high-lift cams, no need for "heavy duty" springs until you build a full-on race bike.

.