Clutch Slipping After Oil Change?

[Jeremy112113]

Hey everyone,

I have an 05 Hayabusa with 56,xxx miles. I replaced the clutch with oem steels, fibers, and springs about 3,000 miles ago. At the same time, I overhauled the clutch master cylinder due to it sticking. When I did that, I used a mighty vac with new Dot4 fluid. I know I don't slip the clutch or abuse the clutch when I ride and only do high end pulls. It started to slip today in 6th gear WOT around 6,000 rpm. When it did this the rpm increased by about 2,000 and then dropped once it 'caught' and lurched forward. It happened again in 2nd and 3rd gear WOT around 6-7k rpm. Today was my first ride after changing the oil from Valvoline 10w-40 Full Syn to Rotella T6 15-40. The bike also does not have an oil cooler and the restrictor is removed.

My questions: would my oil be the culprit? I did some research and it isn't likely, what is everyone's thoughts? I wanted to get some insight before I actually pulled the clutch cover. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you.

 

[Mathewrussell52]

I always run T6 in my bike and I have never had any issues.

 

[Jeremy112113]

I always run T6 in my bike and I have never had any issues.

Yeah, see that's what I figured. I feel like if it was the Rotella, it would take more than the 100 miles that I put on it today.

 

[Mr Brown]

How many miles on the clutch?

 

[Jeremy112113]

How many miles on the clutch?

At most 3500 miles. I changed it earlier in 2018

 

[WuzzaCBXRider]

No

 

[Jeremy112113]

No

Yeah, I figured lol, I'll pull the clutch and post pics tonight

 

[ZeePopo]

Isn't Rotella T6 for cars? I thought the low friction additives in car oil is bad for clutch packs in wet clutch motorcycles

 

[Mr Brown]

That's not a lot of miles unless you've been launching hard, which you haven't.

 

[WuzzaCBXRider]

Isn't Rotella T6 for cars? I thought the low friction additives in car oil is bad for clutch packs in wet clutch motorcycles

Uh oh, I take back my No if it isn’t m/c specific motor oil.

Robot or human?

 

[Mathewrussell52]

Yeah, see that's what I figured. I feel like if it was the Rotella, it would take more than the 100 miles that I put on it today.

A lot of people run it in their turbo bikes. I have read they changed formula a year or so ago. I have not looked in to details and I continue to run it.

 

[Mr Brown]

Rotella is diesel engine oil. As Matthew said, a lot of turbo bikes run it with no issues. It's unlikely to be the issue.

 

[Jeremy112113]

So I took pictures, my clutch looks good but there is black soot on the inside (pictured) if it isn't my clutch, would it probably be my transmission?

 

[rubbersidedown]

Looks to be nothing wrong with those fibers or steels.Does the oil say "Energy Conserving" in the circle on the back of the jug?
Rubb

 

[Jeremy112113]

Looks to be nothing wrong with those fibers or steels.Does the oil say "Energy Conserving" in the circle on the back of the jug?
Rubb

No, it doesn't say it. I checked for that when I picked it up from the store. I did check my clutch fluid revoir and it was low. Is it possible that this black soot is this fluid leaking into here somehow?

 

[Boosted Cycle Perf]

Yes lots of turbo guys run rotella. But not the synthetic stuff.

 

[WuzzaCBXRider]

So I took pictures, my clutch looks good but there is black soot on the inside (pictured) if it isn't my clutch, would it probably be my transmission?View attachment 1614715View attachment 1614716View attachment 1614717View attachment 1614718View attachment 1614719

The black ’soot’ is the natural degrading (wear) of the fibers from the plates and also contributes to a darker oil.

 

[rubbersidedown]

Is it possible that this black soot is this fluid leaking into here somehow?

No. Rubb.

 

[Jeremy112113]

The black ’soot’ is the natural degrading (wear) of the fibers from the plates and also contributes to a darker oil.

Okay, this makes sense. So if the clutch is good, where else should I check? My fear is the transmission being worn and needing machined/worked. What would the symptoms be? I can't find specific symptoms for my situation.

 

[Mr Brown]

Okay, this makes sense. So if the clutch is good, where else should I check? My fear is the transmission being worn and needing machined/worked. What would the symptoms be? I can't find specific symptoms for my situation.

Sorry, I just realized you put the mileage in your original post. Old eyes....my bad.
If the transmission was bad, it wouldn't slip and catch. The symptoms you describe are what happens when your clutch isn't engaging properly. Since you started having issues after rebuilding the m/c it's likely to be clutch related. Check the slave cover for cracks, check the lines for leaks, check the reservoir for a bad seal.