ATF In the Primary
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 138
From: here
ATF In the Primary
Don't want to start one of those oil threads, but have a question for whoever is running ATF in their primary. I've read several posts here that people were running ATF. Thought I'd give it a try because it sounded like it would make shifting easier smoother... been running it a couple of days, 200 miles, but yesterday my clutch started acting funny. So I went to adjust it, popped off the cover and OMG, that stuff stunk like no one's business. I'm sure my clutch was adjusted properly before but the second I got the cover off it smelled like burnt clutch to high heaven.
Is that normal?
I dumped it and went back to Mobile 1 LS.
Is that normal?
I dumped it and went back to Mobile 1 LS.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
This is what I've been using in my primaries for years..
Low cost, and works great....
Oh yeah, the Rotella T has a very low moly count (meets JASO-MA specificiations as verified in the below email) so you don't have to worry about any possible problems with a high moly PPM count and wet clutch applications.
"We recently ran the JASO MA friction test on Rotella T with Triple Protection 15W-40, Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 (CI-4) and our Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 CJ-4.
All three oils passed the wet clutch friction test. Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 (CI-4) has more than 1.2% ash (JASO MA spec limit) so it can not be classified as JASO MA.
However, Rotella T with Triple Protection 15W-40 and our soon to be introduced Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 CJ-4 do meet JASO MA."
If you have any additional questions please call us at 800-231-6950.
Thank you for your interest in Shell products.
Richard Moore
Staff Engineer
Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc.
Westhollow Technology Center
PO Box 4327
Houston, TX 77210
United States of America"
Low cost, and works great....
Oh yeah, the Rotella T has a very low moly count (meets JASO-MA specificiations as verified in the below email) so you don't have to worry about any possible problems with a high moly PPM count and wet clutch applications.
"We recently ran the JASO MA friction test on Rotella T with Triple Protection 15W-40, Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 (CI-4) and our Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 CJ-4.
All three oils passed the wet clutch friction test. Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 (CI-4) has more than 1.2% ash (JASO MA spec limit) so it can not be classified as JASO MA.
However, Rotella T with Triple Protection 15W-40 and our soon to be introduced Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40 CJ-4 do meet JASO MA."
If you have any additional questions please call us at 800-231-6950.
Thank you for your interest in Shell products.
Richard Moore
Staff Engineer
Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc.
Westhollow Technology Center
PO Box 4327
Houston, TX 77210
United States of America"
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: W.V.
atf
Many years ago the shop I worked at began selling Bultaco race bikes.The bikes ran great,all kinds of power but we could not get the clutches adjusted right.Too much spring pressure and they would not release.Two little and they would slip when shifting and they were always very hot.The distributers did some testing and found atf to cure the problems. I have used it in many bikes of many brands for almost 50 years since with good results.If you look at a clutch pack from a 4000 lb.car with 400hp and your little motorcycle there is very little differance.Although I use syn oil in my engine and trans I have not tried it in my primary yet.maybe next time.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
How often do you change primary fluid???? The manual says every 5000 miles. I average 6000 miles a year so that means I'm changing mine every 10 months or so. My primary takes less than a quart so for all of you who bought a $20,000 bike but want to skimp on $2.00 a year, you get what you pay for. The primary chain can use just about anything for lube but the wet clutch is the concern, the lube needs to have the right additives for proper clutch operation and life. I only use HD Primary/Trans lubricant. It's formulated for Harley's and so I pay $2.00 more for the one quart that i buy, who cares. If you want smoother shifting, buy a metric bike !!!!!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,577
Likes: 138
From: South of Dallas Area, Texas
Why would you want to put a non specific, not recommended oil in your primary when it only takes 1 quart of the specifically designed fluid.
I dont get it.
MikeM
I dont get it.
MikeM
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
I have run all kinds of oil in my primary from ATF to gearoil and everything in between. ATF has the best clutch action and almost no cold clunk, but it also is the noisiest and you can hear the chain whine. ATF also likes tighter clutch adjustment than thicker oils.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Port St. Lucie, FL