I was having a chattering noise recently and found that my KZ1000 was about a quart low on oil.
(Had been "eyeballing it" instead of making sure the bike was actually level when I checked it.) I was about to make a 45 min run into town on the interstate from where I work which means cruising between 90-100mph
(don't tell my girlfriend), and so I stopped at a gas station and put a quart of 20w-50 castroil in it.
Haven't had a single bit of problem with it. Smoother than ever and clutch operation is perfect.
I used to run 4 stroke Honda dirt bikes, and never put anything in them except for automotive 20w-50. Never replaced a clutch, never did a rebuild on them. And it they ran beautifully and never burned any oil either.
However, now I typically run Rotella in my KZ because it is a higher grade oil that doesn't foam under high stress in big bike transmissions. (made for diesles)I would do an oil and filter change and double check your oil level with it on a center stand or jack it up with a board so you can KNOW it's level. Cause 10* of lean can throw you off a whole quart. And a quart low on the engine is not enough to kick the oil warning light, but enough to make your tranny and valves start making some noises.
:EDIT:
Oooh!!! I just noticed the bit about the clutch.
That's what mine did!
Check oil leve VERY carefully and see what you come up with.
Post edited by: hat0791, at: 2005/11/18 11:26