Changed oil, better results.

[Angus]

My shift lever was feeling a bit "notchy" between gears, at 50,000 miles.  I had the same issue with my Honda ST 1300, so I tried the same fix.  Drained out the Blue Ray 10-40, replaced filter with Bosch 3300.  Added 4 1/2 quarts of Rotella T 15-40.  After about 100 miles, I noticed smoother shifting and the notchy between gears much less.  A 10-40 is fine for the engine, but seems to be too light for the transmission over 50,000 miles.

[B.D.F.]

Glad it worked out for ya' but you gotta' know a post like that is the forum equivalent of 'Here kitty, kitty.' Here, let me help: Gee, I wonder if Rotella 15W-40 is the best oil for motorcycle transmissions?

 

I am a fan of the fleet mineral oils myself. Just now running off a crankcase full of Delo 15W-40 (they are all 15W-40 after all)- it is not my favorite of the choices though. I think I will go back to Devlac or Rotella.

Brian

My shift lever was feeling a bit "notchy" between gears, at 50,000 miles.  I had the same issue with my Honda ST 1300, so I tried the same fix.  Drained out the Blue Ray 10-40, replaced filter with Bosch 3300.  Added 4 1/2 quarts of Rotella T 15-40.  After about 100 miles, I noticed smoother shifting and the notchy between gears much less.  A 10-40 is fine for the engine, but seems to be too light for the transmission over 50,000 miles.

[maxtog]

Oil thread!!!

[jimmymac]

Gotta love it!

What tires are you running?

[PH14]

[Buzzard63]

Actually, notchy shifting is a valid subject in relation to what oil you run. In contrast to the original post, I noticed notchy shifting on my VFR while running Rotella 5W-40 syn. After changing to Mobil 1 10-40 full syn M/C oil, the shifting became very smooth. I do run the Rotella in an XR650R with no problems. Some bikes are just picky, I guess.

[PH14]

Actually, notchy shifting is a valid subject in relation to what oil you run. In contrast to the original post, I noticed notchy shifting on my VFR while running Rotella 5W-40 syn. After changing to Mobil 1 10-40 full syn M/C oil, the shifting became very smooth. I do run the Rotella in an XR650R with no problems. Some bikes are just picky, I guess.

I feel notchy shifting at times, then I change my oil using any motorcycle oil of the correct viscosity, and it is smooth again.

[Rhino]

My shift lever was feeling a bit "notchy" between gears, at 50,000 miles.  I had the same issue with my Honda ST 1300, so I tried the same fix.  Drained out the Blue Ray 10-40, replaced filter with Bosch 3300.  Added 4 1/2 quarts of Rotella T 15-40.  After about 100 miles, I noticed smoother shifting and the notchy between gears much less.  A 10-40 is fine for the engine, but seems to be too light for the transmission over 50,000 miles.

Everything else being equal a 10-40 oil is the same viscosity as a 15-40 oil at operating temp. 10-40 is only thinner then 15-40 when cold but both are still way thicker cold then hot.

[Rhino]

Actually, notchy shifting is a valid subject in relation to what oil you run. In contrast to the original post, I noticed notchy shifting on my VFR while running Rotella 5W-40 syn. After changing to Mobil 1 10-40 full syn M/C oil, the shifting became very smooth. I do run the Rotella in an XR650R with no problems. Some bikes are just picky, I guess.

5-40 =10-40 =15-40 at operating temp. The first number is the equivalent viscosity of a single weight oil when cold. In other words 5W-40 viscosity at 50F should be the same viscosity of a straight 5W oil at 50F. The second number is for operating temp so that 5W-40 at 200F will be the same viscosity of a straight 40W oil at 200F. But even a 5W oil at 50F is way thicker then even a 50W oil at 200F.

[B.D.F.]

Agreed- the C-14 IS sensitive to oil and oil age regarding both shifting as well as clutch behavior. That said, there is just no way to have an oil thread without having.... well, the inevitable things that go with an oil (or tire or gasoline or....) thread.

But on a serious note, the thing that seems to make the most difference, at least in my own bike, is the ZDDP content of the oil. As all road vehicle oils have had the quantity of that reduced, adding a little more seems to make a significant difference. Beyond that, I find regular auto 10W-40 Pennzoil and Valvoline both allow the bike to shift the best when the oil is fresh but that quality deteriorates pretty rapidly (less than 1,000 miles into an oil change). The fleet oils, Rotella, Devlac, and Delo (the mineral oils, not the synthetics) all seem to last but do not perform as well as the two 10W-40 oils mentioned. So I mix them 50 / 50 and that seems to yield the benefits from both oil families.

Brian

Actually, notchy shifting is a valid subject in relation to what oil you run. In contrast to the original post, I noticed notchy shifting on my VFR while running Rotella 5W-40 syn. After changing to Mobil 1 10-40 full syn M/C oil, the shifting became very smooth. I do run the Rotella in an XR650R with no problems. Some bikes are just picky, I guess.

[stevewfl]

My shift lever was feeling a bit "notchy" between gears, at 50,000 miles.  I had the same issue with my Honda ST 1300, so I tried the same fix.  Drained out the Blue Ray 10-40, replaced filter with Bosch 3300.  Added 4 1/2 quarts of Rotella T 15-40.  After about 100 miles, I noticed smoother shifting and the notchy between gears much less.  A 10-40 is fine for the engine, but seems to be too light for the transmission over 50,000 miles.

That first number matters when the engines are cold.  40 is 40.  Where the WIN is you nailed it here.......

ROTELLA T           

[sherob]

Blue Ray?  I thought this was an oil thread, not a DVD thread... dang. 

I ran Mobil1 15w50 in my ST1300... she liked it, and it was hot in Houston.  My C14 likes Mobil1 10w40.   

[VirginiaJim]

As does mine..

[Conrad]

Blue Ray?  I thought this was an oil thread, not a DVD thread... dang. 

I ran Mobil1 15w50 in my ST1300... she liked it, and it was hot in Houston.  My C14 likes Mobil1 10w40.

As does mine..

+3

[tweeter55]

Oil thread!!!

[Rhino]

That first number matters when the engines are cold.  40 is 40.  Where the WIN is you nailed it here.......

ROTELLA T           

+1 I've been using Rotella T in Honda VTX, Honda Rincon ATV, Honda Rancher ATV, Honda Valkyrie, Suzuki DR650 and my C14.

[katata1100]

I think I get better shifting using redline 10-40, might be due to the high moly level in it. Get it for $103 a case of 12 from a jobber.
But... for those who think their bikes have notchy shifting- do you still have the stock plastic bushing in your shifter?
I replaced mine with a ball bearing one (from Murph) and it made a huge difference.

[twowheeladdict]

I run whatever motorcycle specific oil happens to be on sale when I stop in at the store.  Sometimes I even mix in one quart of one brand when I happen to have one left over.  Of course they are all synthetic and the same viscosity.   

[Jaxter]

I have always just purchased Kawasaki oil and filter from the Kawasaki store and the last time I changed the oil I immediately noticed notchy shifting with the new oil, the notchy shifting smooths out when the motor/transmission reach their nominal operating temperature...this seems backards from what others have described

[lather]

This topic really baffles me. In 422,000 miles on 20 or so bikes I have never noticed shifting problems related to oil. I've had hard or no shifting due to master cylinder leaks or shift lever maladjustment. The term "notchy shifting" perplexes me since in my mind the shift mechanism works by cogs sliding into "notches" thus "notchy" is a good thing when you are talking about shifting quality. What exactly do you riders mean by "notchy shifting"?