I have a 1985 Honda Shadow with 60,000 miles on it. The bike runs great and everything works fine. I have run Rotella 0-40 and 15-40. The motor runs the same with both- no usage and comes out very clean. I find the shifting to be a bit notchy and seems to be worst with the synthetic in it. The clutch feels better with the 15-40 so that is what I am running. The shifting is getting worst and I only have about 1500 miles on this run of dino. My question -- is there a better oil that will not shear down as fast in this shared sump design? What about a 20-50? Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks Roger
1985 Shadow shifting
- Thread starter RogerBacon
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Amsoil 10w-40 motorcycle oil supposedly lasts very long in such applications, although I have personally not tried it.
Try the Valvoline 4t Synthetic 20w50. Around here is about 7 or 8 bucks quart and held up very well in my 865cc Triumph twin with a shared sump.
You could also try Mobil 1 15w50, many report good results with it, and its cheap at walmart here. 26 bucks for 5 quarts.
You could also try Mobil 1 15w50, many report good results with it, and its cheap at walmart here. 26 bucks for 5 quarts.
Thank you. Do you know if both these oils are compatable with a wet clutch? Roger
Originally Posted By: RogerBacon
Thank you. Do you know if both these oils are compatable with a wet clutch? Roger
Yes they are.
Thank you. Do you know if both these oils are compatable with a wet clutch? Roger
Yes they are.
Its been a long time since i owned a Honda this vintage but i remember on the V65 Magna they used a conical clutch spring instead of the normal individual coil springs.
The conical spring looks like a big washer with a slight cone shape. These weaken or crack over time and cause notchy shifting.
Check the clutch out on this bike regardless of spring type at 60k it could be your underlying issue.
Try Golden Spectro 10w40 in this bike, heavier oils can cause clutch plate drag and as a consequence notchy shifting. Just the opposite of what your thinking.
The conical spring looks like a big washer with a slight cone shape. These weaken or crack over time and cause notchy shifting.
Check the clutch out on this bike regardless of spring type at 60k it could be your underlying issue.
Try Golden Spectro 10w40 in this bike, heavier oils can cause clutch plate drag and as a consequence notchy shifting. Just the opposite of what your thinking.
It shifts fine for the first 500 miles and then gets progressively harder to shift. You are correct, the bike does have a conical spring but does this sound like a problem that can be fixed with a better sheering oil.
I had a VF1100C (V65) new in 83 and again in 86 and both had this issue as the miles climbed. Both started around 35-40,000 miles. One had a cracked spring the other warped steels.
Warped or burned steels can also cause hard shifting ,new oil helps for a short time but its not a permanent fix. I would pull the clutch.
I don't believe the problem lies in the oil itself but changing it is masking the symptoms.
Edit: Try the 10w40 MC oil first and see it that helps, if not then definitely pull the clutch.
Warped or burned steels can also cause hard shifting ,new oil helps for a short time but its not a permanent fix. I would pull the clutch.
I don't believe the problem lies in the oil itself but changing it is masking the symptoms.
Edit: Try the 10w40 MC oil first and see it that helps, if not then definitely pull the clutch.
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Originally Posted By: Smoky14
Originally Posted By: RogerBacon
Thank you. Do you know if both these oils are compatable with a wet clutch? Roger
Yes they are.
Used to have a 07 Shadow Aero I bought new off the floor for the wife. I ran the Rotella 15w40 then switched to the T-6 5w-40.
Being new, I had to adjust the clutch from the start as it slipped when throttled. Yours has 60k.
Also when I did the 1st service, one exhaust valve was to tight and 2 intakes to loose. What a PITA that was - but it sure ran better afterward. I know others running Rotella in their Shadow's and all seem happy with it.
Originally Posted By: RogerBacon
Thank you. Do you know if both these oils are compatable with a wet clutch? Roger
Yes they are.
Used to have a 07 Shadow Aero I bought new off the floor for the wife. I ran the Rotella 15w40 then switched to the T-6 5w-40.
Being new, I had to adjust the clutch from the start as it slipped when throttled. Yours has 60k.
Also when I did the 1st service, one exhaust valve was to tight and 2 intakes to loose. What a PITA that was - but it sure ran better afterward. I know others running Rotella in their Shadow's and all seem happy with it.
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Thank-you for the advice. I think I will try the 10-40 and see if I get lucky. Thanks again. Roger
Originally Posted By: Robenstein
Try the Valvoline 4t Synthetic
Does the Valvo 4T ever go on sale? I'm tempted to try it in the 10w-40 grade, but it's about 3x the price of Rotella T that I'm currently using.
Try the Valvoline 4t Synthetic
Does the Valvo 4T ever go on sale? I'm tempted to try it in the 10w-40 grade, but it's about 3x the price of Rotella T that I'm currently using.
If it matters at this point here's MY experience with hdeo oils. I had an old Goldwing a '82. and I used Rotella t 15w40 wt, Delo 400 15w40 wt, and Delvac 1300 15w40 wt oils in it. The delvac 1300 had the best, longest lasting shift quality then the others I listed , with no clutch problems or slipping.The bikes owners manual said only to use SAE rated oils, 10/40- 20-50 depending on conditions. I suggest trying different brands until you hit one that works best for YOUR bike.,,
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Robenstein
Try the Valvoline 4t Synthetic
Does the Valvo 4T ever go on sale? I'm tempted to try it in the 10w-40 grade, but it's about 3x the price of Rotella T that I'm currently using.
I have never seen it on sale. But I need a 50 weight oil so Rotella is out for me. The Valvoline 4T seems to be the best bang for the buck syn moto oil easily available in my area with Mobil 1 being the second.
Originally Posted By: Robenstein
Try the Valvoline 4t Synthetic
Does the Valvo 4T ever go on sale? I'm tempted to try it in the 10w-40 grade, but it's about 3x the price of Rotella T that I'm currently using.
I have never seen it on sale. But I need a 50 weight oil so Rotella is out for me. The Valvoline 4T seems to be the best bang for the buck syn moto oil easily available in my area with Mobil 1 being the second.
Originally Posted By: ABerns
It's actually on sale at O'Reilly's right now. If you can call $8.99 a quart "on sale".
yeah since its that or less everyday at Wal Mart around here, Id be apprehensive to call that a sale. LOL
It's actually on sale at O'Reilly's right now. If you can call $8.99 a quart "on sale".
yeah since its that or less everyday at Wal Mart around here, Id be apprehensive to call that a sale. LOL
Originally Posted By: Robenstein
Originally Posted By: ABerns
It's actually on sale at O'Reilly's right now. If you can call $8.99 a quart "on sale".
yeah since its that or less everyday at Wal Mart around here, Id be apprehensive to call that a sale. LOL
LOL, yeah. I just saw that my local Walmart has it for $8.50/qt.
Originally Posted By: ABerns
It's actually on sale at O'Reilly's right now. If you can call $8.99 a quart "on sale".
yeah since its that or less everyday at Wal Mart around here, Id be apprehensive to call that a sale. LOL
LOL, yeah. I just saw that my local Walmart has it for $8.50/qt.
Have you tried adjusting the clutch recently? After 60k miles it might just need to be tweeked a bit.,,
Clutch seems to work fine but as you say with 60k anything is possible. I am going to try a different oil, just have not decided which yet. Roger
I was having a hard time spending $18 a litre for Mobil 1 20W50 just to see if it would solve my shifting problem, so I did nothing. Canadian Tire Motormaster 20W50 motorcycle oil was on sale this week for $5.50 a litre so I decided to see if the 20W50 would make any difference. This is not as good an oil as the Mobil 1 but I thought it would provide a short term comparison to the 15W40 Rotella that is in the bike. When I changed the oil, the Rotella came out like water and with only 1000km on it. What a difference the 20W50 made. The shifting is quieter, smother, easier. I don't know how long this "no-name oil" will last, but it will be good enough until the spring when I will put the good stuff in. Roger
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