Shifting question

[dsrtrat]

SInce my nomad was run over, I have test ridden a couple of bikes. My nomad shifted firm into each gear and when 1st was reached, the shifter didnt move if pressed. The last two bikes I rode, the shifter didnt feel as crisp and when 1st was hit, the shifter still seemed to move down a bit but obviously didnt shift as it was in 1st already.

Is there a reason one bike is so much different from another? Does this point to an issue with shifter fork? One of them was an 04 with only 20000 miles on it.

[ringadingh]

My shifter moves a bit, I also found that different oils make the bike shift either silky smooth or tend to hang up a bit. Rotella 15W40 made the bike shift the nicest for me.

[recumbentbob]

What bikes did you ride?

[dsrtrat]

1500 and 1600 and owned a 1500 until some turnip ran it over and messed it up good.

[sufguts]

Originally Posted by ringadingh

My shifter moves a bit, I also found that different oils make the bike shift either silky smooth or tend to hang up a bit. Rotella 15W40 made the bike shift the nicest for me.

I looked up Rotella 15W40 and it came up as Heavy Duty Diesel Oil. Does that sound right? I've always used "Motorcycle Oil" cuz I thought I had to.

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by sufguts

I looked up Rotella 15W40 and it came up as Heavy Duty Diesel Oil. Does that sound right? I've always used "Motorcycle Oil" cuz I thought I had to.

Yes Rotella 15W40 is diesel oil but many members here have been using it for years.NN
I ran it for 88,000 miles in my 07 Nomad and 65,000 in my 08 Nomad.

[sufguts]

Awesome! good to know, it looks a lot cheaper than "Motorcycle Oil"

[recumbentbob]

Originally Posted by Top Cat

Yes Rotella 15W40 is diesel oil but many members here have been using it for years.NN
I ran it for 88,000 miles in my 07 Nomad and 65,000 in my 08 Nomad.

And it is JASO compliant. JASO is the Japanese motorcycle oil specification.

[dhuttonkc]

BE VERY CAREFUL HERE. It does not matter what you recall having used or what you "just know" may be available. Shell Rotella line is in the throes of change the past few years when new engine manufacturer wear and oil service tests were introduced (volvo and cummins)

.... please specify Rotella T4 or T5 or T5 Ultra or T6 or T6 Multi-Vehicle. None of you did in your posts. A new guy here may not realize the difference.

Some previous "T" products are no longer available in some viscosity ratings.

T4 is a high quality, high detergent, DINO/Mineral formulated oil. 15w40. It is JASO MA/MA2 rated

T5 is a syn blend. 10w30/15w40 I do not see the JASO MA/MA2 rating on either viscosity

T5 Ultra (CK-4) is syn blend. 10w30. Friction modifiers added for 2017+ engines. No JASO rating.

T6 is the full synthetic oil. Avail in 5w40 and 0w40. It is JASO MA/MA2 rated. T6 is directly positioned against 15w40 oils in Shell marketing as a better performer than 15w40. Even AMZN and O'Reilly now redirect from T6 15w40 to a T6 5w40 web page page.

T6 Multi Vehicle does not have JASO rating and is available in 5w30 CK-4.

Ring, I believe you are referring to the Rotella T6 5w40 Full Synthetic having made the greatest impact on smoother shifting. This is a lower viscosity than KAWI recommended in the 1500/1600 engines, but Rotella has positioned the 5w40 against 15w40 in truck engines for several years and many motorcycle owners report having used it successfully. T6 15w40 is no longer offered. Periodically, I will hear a bit of top end noise in very cold temps if the bike has been sitting idle for some time. It quiets quickly. Of course, not many will report badly having used the low cost synthetic diesel oil in their motorcycle should an engine blow. Just sayin.

Be sure to look at the certifications listed on the back of the jug of Rotella which you are buying. Some products are regionally formulated and may differ. You are looking for the JASO MA/MA2 rating stamp or listing below or next to the American Petroleum Institute seal.

NOTE here: Don't look far and wide for the JASO MA/MA2 rating on a diesel oil. These are performance standards and NOT certifications by the oil Manufacturer. The rating often means simply that the product complies with lubricity requirements, sludge removal, resistance to breakdown, and friction performance modifier content specifications (ok to use in the wet clutch).

My 2005 Nomad takes 3.3 quarts. One 450ISX Cummins takes 11 gallons.... our big CATS a little over 16 gallons. That is 40 to 70 gallons per engine/year.

I think I know where the target market for Shell Rotella is.

The information here is current from Shell's Fleet Tech site as of today, 2018-09-12.

[rolfe]

Let's move up here Motor Oils have improved and some of the newest ratings are
ILSA G-4 and so on so forth.

Sure the cost is about $11 - $15 @qt. 100% synthetic The testing ISLA does is under extreme conditions to get their label on a can.

20w-50 100% synthetic Castrol is what I use in Texas as the cold temperatures are seldom.

20w-50 valvoline MC oil is what I also use on "RED".

Each to his or her's own is what I say.

Live Free Ride or what you may please.

But don't Tread on Me

[DragonLady58]

Oil viscosity does make a diff. on the shifting. I use 15w40 diesel oil up here in Wa., where it doesn't get hot. I could use 10w30 and be fine....I have my engines set up a little looser than stock to run a slightly thicker oil....the diesel oil has more film strength, which is great for vtwin bike engines....

[ringadingh]

I was referring to the T4 15W40 Rotella, its a dino oil. I used to buy it by the 5 gallon pail when it went on sale.

[sufguts]

Originally Posted by dhuttonkc

BE VERY CAREFUL HERE. It does not matter what you recall having used or what you "just know" may be available....

Thanks for posting this. I was a little confused by the T4, T5, etc so I spent the better part of the day yesterday trying to figure it out. Luckily it looks like the T4 15W40 is what's available at Canadian Tire here, but definitely better to have all this info before going into it

[dhuttonkc]

You are welcome. We keep the T6 5w40 in bulk for the big stuff in our fleet. So, it is just easier to use. The lower viz does not concern me, but simple rule is to idle to warm temp before putting the machine on the road. Long enough to put on riding gear. That lets the oil do its job out on the road or in the field. Be safe

[roadhawg]

I have rode many bikes, Hardleys, Indians, Goldwings, and I will say this, you won’t find a smoother shifting bike than the big Vulcans! All the others have clunky tranny’s!