In the process of rebuilding the primary and replacing the compensator. Bike has a Rivera clutch that calls for Type F ATF any issues running ATF with premature bearing or chain wear? Previous owner ran AMSOIL 20W-50 in the primary wondering if I should switch to the ATF.

 

i have B&M trick shift in my primary. no issues, before that atf. clutch is barnett.

i have se comp. have about 10k on this set up

 

I called Rivera Primo yesterday and they recommended Dexron Type III for my Pro Clutch.

 

That's the right thing to do - ask the makers!

 

And then what? Ignore their written instructions to use Type F atf?

http://www.riveraprimoinc.com/html/faq.html

 

I knew Barnett called for ATF, didn't know about Rivera, BOTH Excellent companies! I use AMSOIL 10W-40 motor oil in my Sporty's combo primary / Tranny, less drag, more HP! Thinking about using ATF in there this year?
PS, Just think of all the moving parts in an automatic trans! You wouldn't put motor oil in there?

 

I am changing back to a manual primary adjuster. Checked what I had for fluids on my shelf. I found a bottle of Type F since none of my vehicles use Type F, so I called Rivera and they recommended the Dexron Type 3.
I was running Energy One clutch plates before which recommend Type F. Pretty sure E1 makes the plates for Rivera Primo. So another call to Rivera.
On a side note about the OP's post. If you go with ATF you may want to disassemble the clutch. Clean the plates with brake cleaner and let them soak in ATF.
If it was me and working fine with the Amsoil I would just keep using it.

 

I've used ATF in the primary for years. Type F, the clutch 'grabs' the most, ATF+4 for Chryslers has the smoothest clutch engage, 'Slick Shift' is type F. The difference isn't much, but +4 can make finding neutral and doing your friction zone stuff a little easier.

Think about it, an automatic transmission is full of clutches, ATF is made for that kind of thing.

Motor oil has additives that help reduce friction, not what you want in a clutch. Some folks have had problems with clutch slipping, some have not.

 

And yet, if you install a Baker Compensator, they recommend Spectro or HD Formula+.

 

I have one installed, stopped in at J&P Cycles this year at Sturgis and talked to the owner of Rivera Primo, he told me to run a good synthetic 20W50, he said it would work great with the clutch and was better for my compensator, he said ATF does not lube the compensator enough, I've followed his instructions and haven't had any issues