Hard shifting and oil

[pjandbee]

I changed my oil with Castrol 15w/40 when I bought the Beast 2 plus years ago. I had what I felt was hard shifting sounding like slamming in gear which is why I changed the oil. All sounded and felt better after the change.

Now flash forward to my latest oil change, Castrol 15w/40 and filter. I've put about 480 miles on her and I am getting the hard shifting and grind-slam thing: 1st thru 3rd gerclunk and a little to 4th. Shifting must be more deliberate.

Now I'm at the point to change the oil. Can any one give me an idea as to why my trans / shifting has set in so early after the service. I have always used Castrol (since 1975) in my bikes but this is making me look harder at the "V"twin Mobil 1.

I am not easy but I just need to get a nudge in the right direction.

[Teachme]

Funny you posted this thread i had the same issue going on. Changed to heavier oil to smooth out the shifting all has been good until today. Shifting seemd hard and loud after around 1000 miles on fresh oil. Im fixin to ride her to the beach in a few weeks not sure what to do. I have 3 more gallons of the 15w40 already bought.

[redjay]

I found that Amsoil helped with the shifting on my Nomad. It did nothing to help with the shifting on the Voyager.

[ctrider]

I use T6 and get the same thing. It shifts very smoothly right after an oil change but over time shifting gets louder and a bit harder. If you only have a 1000 on the oil I wouldn't worry about it.

[pjandbee]

Well....... not sure where to go now. Should I feel better knowing this is 'sort of' normal. Thanks for the info. I think that I'll still plan to change the oil brand and weight at next change or sooner. If for nothing more than peace of mind. And just because I'm that way I will still use Castrol for my XV250 and EN500.......




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03 Nomad 1500fi

[MJ07Nomad]

I use Mobil 1 racing 4T 10W 40 if that helps and I do not have any thing but smooth Shifting. Maybe because it is thinner weight? I tired Mobil 1 "V"twin 20W 50, Valvoline 20W-50 Synthetic, and Castrol 15w/40 and always went back to the Mobil 1 4T 10W 40, my bike just seems to run better with it. I always used a K&N Oil Filter just because of the bolt on the end. Maybe (just my 2 cents but) your oil gets dirty (thicker) after some use and that is why your shifting is harder?

[cnc]

Just maybe the oil is not entirely at fault, but fresh oil just makes it seem smoother for a while. Do you up shift with your heel?, if not you should try it these bikes shift better that way.

[ringadingh]

I found that using Rotella T dino oil provided the smoothest shifting in my bike.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by MJ07Nomad

I use Mobil 1 racing 4T 10W 40 if that helps and I do not have any thing but smooth Shifting. Maybe because it is thinner weight? I tired Mobil 1 "V"twin 20W 50, Valvoline 20W-50 Synthetic, and Castrol 15w/40 and always went back to the Mobil 1 4T 10W 40, my bike just seems to run better with it. I always used a K&N Oil Filter just because of the bolt on the end. Maybe (just my 2 cents but) your oil gets dirty (thicker) after some use and that is why your shifting is harder?

Mobil 1 has 15w-50 that can be used in bikes. I used it when I had my Nomad.