Topic: Clutch slipping after Valvoline SAE 10W-40 4-Stroke Motorcycle Oil

[neurotoxin312]

I recently changed the clutch of my 76 CB550 and changed the oil to Valvoline's SAE 10W-40 4-Stroke Motorcycle Oil. Now the clutch slips horribly. I was told that this is the correct motor oil to use because it has some additive made especially for wet clutches. I wasn't sure what the previous oil was seeing that this was my bike's first oil change since I bought it. I would like to hear some oil recommendations please because it seems like this oil is not working out for me. I triple checked that my clutch was adjusted properly and the components were installed in the correct order.

[Wobbly]

Genuine Honda parts or the aftermarket trash? There is nothing wrong with your oil.

[madmtnmotors]

Did you do both at the same time? If so, I would suggest triple checking the clutch adjustment again.

Did you soak the new friction plates in oil overnight prior to install?

[jonda500]

Genuine Honda parts or the aftermarket trash? There is nothing wrong with your oil.

+1 It's not the oil - 4 stroke motorcycle oil wont make your clutch slip. Automotive oil with friction modifiers will though!
John

[CB_Jeff]

I found myself in a very similar situation with my K6.  New clutch plates, Valvoline 10w-40 (can't recall if it was the motorcycle variety)..…and the clutch slipped often enough that it was a problem.  Drained the oil, changed the filter, filled with Rotella 15w-40 and haven't had a slip since.

[neurotoxin312]

I replaced the clutch pads with EBC clutchpads. Are these ok? I soaked the pads overnight. When installing I made sure to tighten those 4 clutch spring bolts evenly and stiff (not fully tightened). My clutch adjuster nut has been adjusted properly as well.

As for the Rotella 15w-40, is this just Rotella 15w-40 or motorcycle specific?

[Don R]

Rotella is diesel oil, not motorcycle specific.  I'd be surprised if that fixed it but give it a go.

[Wobbly]

I replaced the clutch pads with EBC clutchpads.

After rebuilding, I used the EBCs. For the first time ever, I used something other than genuine Honda, thinking that things might have improved over 40 years and I might be missing out on something.  I threw them out. Horrible. The metal discs were blued already. I put genuine Honda (readily available) back in and the clutch is perfect again. Since first service, I use nothing but synthetic oil. No problem ever with genuine Honda plates when using that oil. This is my experience, yours might differ. Funny though, that this just happened to me with EBC plates.

[jonda500]

I replaced the clutch pads with EBC clutchpads. Are these ok? I soaked the pads overnight. When installing I made sure to tighten those 4 clutch spring bolts evenly and stiff (not fully tightened). My clutch adjuster nut has been adjusted properly as well.

As for the Rotella 15w-40, is this just Rotella 15w-40 or motorcycle specific?

"not fully tightened"  - I hope you don't mean that literally! Probably not but I have to say it anyway- tightening them down evenly a bit at a time is good but they need to be tightened right down fully tight until they stop turning for the plates to have enough spring tension on them.(Be careful not to over tighten though -if you use a ratchet don't use the full length of the handle, these are only small bolts.)

I have EBC clutch friction plates in one of my 500's and have not had any trouble with them slipping.

I once put Castrol GTX2 in a CB400 four, the clutch started slipping a couple of rides later- I had to ditch the oil and friction plates and get new oem clutch friction plates and new oil that was suitable for 4 stroke motorcycles with wet clutches to fix it. I have never made that mistake again!
John

[neurotoxin312]

Haha the plates were tightened down all the way but not over tightened. Perhaps I do need OEM clutchplates. This was the first time changing the clutch since I've bought the bike. Where is a good place to get OEM clutchpads?

[Don R]

 Service Honda has good prices.

[neurotoxin312]

Just checked. Seems like they are sold out haha.

[Wobbly]

Just checked. Seems like they are sold out haha.

Disc B is no longer available from Honda--the other ones are:

http://www.discounthondaparts.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=2450204&category=Motorcycles&make=Honda&year=1976&fveh=131065

[scottly]

Are you sure you reassembled the clutch correctly? The splines on the clutch center need to be aligned with the ones on the pressure plate. Out of the four possible ways to fit the center, two will work and two won't.

[Dunk]

Doubt it's the oil. I ran that oil and had slightly dragging issues when hot, and that's with a modified w/ extra holes basket. Dragging clutch varied slightly Slightly with a few different oils. Switched to CycleX frictions, steels, and stiffer springs and problem solved. Suppose it fixed a slipping issue sometimes at higher RPM too... Front wheel got a bit light a time or two while getting used to the new clutch.

[neurotoxin312]

I have a 1976 CB550k and I think I need Clutch Friction Plates B. I am quite certain I installed the clutch correctly.

Any other ideas on where to get OEM clutch pads? They seem a little hard to get.

Also are EBC's really that bad? haha the clutch is slipping pretty bad in all gears from when I start out lol

[neurotoxin312]

Perhaps I am using the wrong clutch pads? My motorcycle is a 1976 Honda CB550K. Which type of clutch pads should I be using? I see that there are two kinds.

[PeWe]

Talking about clutch plates.
I ordered from cruzinimage to my CB750 K6 (76-78 HONDA CB750K6 CB750K7 CB750F2 CLUTCH FRICTION PLATE 1145) Clutch plates made in China as many parts today.
Work really OK together with my standard metalplates that have worked fine for over 100.000kms. Maybe 1 or 2 plates comes from later clutch kits. Harder springs plus washer.  I use Red line synthetic oil 20W-50

Will use no washer next season, new barnett springs. The plates were blasted with soda or similar back in the 80's for better grip.

There are for CB500/500 too
http://stores.ebay.com/cruzinimage-co1484/_i.html?_nkw=cb550&submit=Search&_sid=526414511

[oldhatt45]

In answer to the question, there are three places I know that have friction plates for the 750.
I would think that they also have plates for the 550 as well

Parts N More
Yamaiya
JT Marks

All these suppliers ship plates in bags marked Honda with the Honda label on them.     

Hope this helps at least a little bit,

Charlie

[DaveBarbier]

Also are EBC's really that bad? haha the clutch is slipping pretty bad in all gears from when I start out lol

I have EBC friction discs and they're fine. I even run synthetic oil. I do have OEM steel discs though.

Did you somehow make your bike get 500hp? That would explain the clutch not holding, haha.

[jonda500]

Perhaps I am using the wrong clutch pads? My motorcycle is a 1976 Honda CB550K. Which type of clutch pads should I be using? I see that there are two kinds.

There is only one friction disc set used in all the 550's. They have 6 friction discs with the straight cuts plus the outer friction disc B which has either angled or straight cuts.

There are two different thickness of steel plates used in the 550's- earlier models use thicker ones compared to the later models which use thinner ones, but have the third one replaced with a dampener plate which is over twice as thick as the other five.

Did you replace the steel plates? If you have used six of the thinner plates and no dampener plate, that would probably make it slip!
John 

[neurotoxin312]

Ah crap. Was I suppose to also replace the steel plates with brand new ones?? I do not remember installing a dampener plate. I think we found out the problem lol

Where can i find this dampener plate? Is that the model B pad that I see when I am searching? Would just adding 2 more steel plates solve this?

[jonda500]

Unless they are rusty or damaged/bent, the steel plates don't need to be replaced as it's the friction discs that wear.
If you have original '75/'76 steel plates you don't need the dampener plate - it is used in conjuntion with the thinner plates in later models only.
John

[neurotoxin312]

I think I have the older version clutch. It does not have the large tab clutch pad. Should there be a small gap left after I bolt up and tighten the clutch?

[Deltarider]

CB550 owners should have the enginenumber at hand and consult the Parts List to study the modifications prior to wrenching so you'll know what to expect. http://www.honda4fun.com/materiale-documentazione-tecnica/parts-list/parts-list-cb550 Then there's a warning for torque wrench enthousiasts: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,72806.msg808595.html#msg808595

[madmtnmotors]

Should there be a small gap left after I bolt up and tighten the clutch?

Are you saying that you are left with a gap between the friction plates and the hub after assembly? After assembly, is there any free play in the stack of plates?

Just trying to clarify. I'm not at all familiar with the 550's.

[jonda500]

I think I have the older version clutch. It does not have the large tab clutch pad. Should there be a small gap left after I bolt up and tighten the clutch?

Yes, at the bottom of the basket there should be a gap left after tightening the 4 bolts - so there's clearance for when the clutch is pulled in.
 I guess the no longer available friction disc B has been replaced with a standard small tab disc in yours - should work ok?, that's what aftermarket replacement sets have after all, 7 the same.
John