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Car oil. Have i killed my clutch?
- Martinbr
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Today i put some oil (approximate ½ litre) in my oil tank on my KZ 400 from 1975.
This is the first time i have put oil on since i bought it.
Only problem is that i used a car oil. It was Shell Helix Super 10w-40.
I havent riden the bike since i put the oil on. Here tonight while browsing motorcycle sites i saw that you should never use a car oil on a motorbike with wet-clutch
My questions are now:
Have i killed my clutch?
Should i remove all the oil and fill it with motorcycle oil?
Or is there no problem using about half a litre of car oil as long as i use motorcycle oil next time?
Hope someone in here can help me. Im all new to motorcycles so im a little lost.
And sorry about my english (im Danish), but i hope you understand my questions.
Thanks in advance.
Cheers,
Martin
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- Buda
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There are a bunch of guys here using car oil, so I dont think it is the end of your clutch. Others here will give you more info I'm sure.
Tom
1982 KZ 1170 LTD
10.25 to 1 comp
K&N pods
GPZ cams
Vance&Hines pipe with comp baffle
dyna coils and wires
97 Valkyrie Standard
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- muddy1
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- 1980 Kz1000 LTD B4
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muddy1:dry:
1970 SL-70
1972 CB 750
1973 Z1
1976 YZ 125
1976 KZ400
1979 KZ400 LTD
1980 KZ1000 LTD B4
1984 YZ 490
1989 750 Ninja
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- YUKABODOS
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Do not worry about it. Life is good. The car oil will not hurt yor clutch. But in the future use 4 cycle oil.
Do yorself a favor and go and buy 4L of 4 cycle motor oil and a oil filter and give her a good change. There are 2 bolts on the bottom of the bike. 1 for the oil to drain and a second that holds up a large circle shaped plate that retains the oil filter.
To do an oil change it will take about 30 mins.
5 mins to get your tools ready.
2 mins for the bike to warm up.
3 mins to pull the main drain bolt.
10 mins to let the oil drain.
3 mins to pull the oil filter.
Another 2 mins to re-install the drain plug and a new filter
5 mins to pour in 3.7 L of oil.
I just did this for the first time a couple of days ago and it is a piece of cake. I will now change the oil every 2500 KM's.
Go and ride that thing and do not worry.
Yukabodos Buddy!! :woohoo:
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- Martinbr
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Thanks alot guys. You have made my day all is good agian it seems
I have just ordered some motorcycle oil, and i will go by a new oilfilter too and change it when the oil gets here.
Thanks.
Cheers,
Martin
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- racer54
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1980 LTD (changed over the years), 1979 LTD (being rebuilt), 1977 KZ turbo and various KZ's in various states of build. KLX110
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- saxjonz
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- KawboyZ
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Just make sure you change the oil religiously as bad oil is bad oil no matter what type you put in. If it is hot where you ride above 90 I would definitely use a 20 weight50 oil or even if it isn't so hot I would use a 15 weight 40 oil, especially if you are going to use car oil and change it every 1500-2000 miles.
But it is your decision. Air cooled engines need more protection than liquid cooled you can count on.
The bike being that old probably won't matter much of what you put in it as it's probably worn as it is if not rebuilt since then.
Whatever you do...DO NOT USE SYNTHETIC OIL as this will make your bike leak like a siv.
79 LTD B3
80 LTD B4 1075 kit JE Pistons .410 cam grind, Bassani, 31 keihin CR Specials...
1980 Z1R, 2002 ZRX1200, 2003 ZRX1200
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- dblhdr
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You can spend extra money and get a bike specific oil, but you really don't need to. just be sure to check your oil level window regularly, and keep it properly filled and change the oil and filter often, and you will get a long life out of your engine.:woohoo:
1981 KZ1000 Police Special coverted for civilian use with passenger seat, custom luggage rack, and paint. Daily rider.
2006 Harley Davidson Road King FLHR1
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- cobura
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- forever 2 wheels
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1979 KZ650B3
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- keith1
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I used to use 20w50 castrol gtx turbo oil changed every 1500-2000 miles but no longer and my bike started smoking after about 10k miles, probably from the valve seals. I honestly think motorcycle oil is designed for bikes and that unless you change your oil every short distance the oil will break down due to the heavy shearing of the gears whether it be car or bike oil. Butttttt...If you have an old bike an you are not worried about smoking from the valve guide seals going bad or the lifespan of the timing chain rollers then go for it. It definitely won't hurt the clutch, at least I have never experienced that but you won't get the protection that you get with the motorcycle oil. IMO
Just make sure you change the oil religiously as bad oil is bad oil no matter what type you put in. If it is hot where you ride above 90 I would definitely use a 20 weight50 oil or even if it isn't so hot I would use a 15 weight 40 oil, especially if you are going to use car oil and change it every 1500-2000 miles.
But it is your decision. Air cooled engines need more protection than liquid cooled you can count on.
The bike being that old probably won't matter much of what you put in it as it's probably worn as it is if not rebuilt since then.
Whatever you do...DO NOT USE SYNTHETIC OIL as this will make your bike leak like a siv.
sax,
in the past i used syn in my gs1150 with a kevlar clutch
and had no clutch problems or leaks...i just put royal purple 20/50 syn bike oil in my bike and havent seen a leak yet......gonna run the crap out of it tommorow.....
not trying to be argumentative, but i have'nt had bad luck with syn in a bike.....just my experience.....
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- RonKZ650
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321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.
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- 650ed
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See:
www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Oi...acing_4T_10W-40.aspx
www.amsoil.com/a/synthetic-motorcycle-oil
www.amsoil.com/lit/G-2156.pdf
I've been using the Mobil-1 Racing 4T 10W40 for several years with excellent results. I would NOT use Mobil-1 CAR oil or any energy saving car oils in my bike as the formulas were changed not too long ago thanks to Uncle Sam. If you do a search on this site you'll find lots of interesting opinions (some of which are even factual ) about oil. Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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