I have a 2001 Vulcan 1500, and I recently changed the oil and filter. I used Royal Purple 20w50, which the company says is fine with wet clutches, and I've heard other cyclists use it with good results. Soon after though, my clutch started slipping....just when I get on the gas. After about 500 miles of this, I changed the oil and filter again to Valvoline Motorcycle Oil 10w40 (I did this last night). Soon as I fired it up, the bike wanted to roll off a little, even in nutural. I worked the clutch a few times and things went back to normal, but I still have the slip a little. It seems better, but not much.

Now, I got the bike with 18,000 miles on it last fall, and it has 22,000 now.

I guess I'm not sure if the clutch is going from age, or is it the oil that caused an issue.

If it's the oil, now that I've changed it, will it come back over time?

Should I change it again in a hundred or so miles?

Or is it time to contemplate some shop time? If so, will changing the clutch spring do it, or do I have to go the full route?

What do you all think?

 

Well, 140 miles later and the clutch seems to be better. Still don't know if I should change the oil again, but it does seem that there's improvement.

 

Good luck. I have not played with that combo yet. But even back in 1990, the beware sign was up on the oils. Seems nothing has changed much then.

 

The Royal Purple is SUPPOSED to be OK though. I know my bike didn't like it!

 

I do not get paid for this, but amsoil has been a good combo for this last ride. The 10r that is.

 

Whats 10r?

 

My newest humble build (the 10r). Vote in the BOTM thread.....lol I need all the help I can get!

 

Ah Ha!

I like the sportbikes OK, but I don't think I could pull one off. Picture a middleaged, overweight guy trying to drag knees........it ain't purdy!

 

hahaha, that sounds like me. I did not say it had to be pretty. Just functional. lol