Bel-Ray

[mmmbeergood]

I had a weird problem recently. I switched from kawasaki oil to bel-Ray gear saver, 80w. After about 1/2 hour of riding after the change, I lost 1st gear, neutral, and most of my clutch. I flushed it out, refilled with Golden Spectro 80w, got the clutch back immediately, and 1st and neutral after 2 minutes or so. Has anybody else had this problem.
Gordo.

 

[mmmbeergood]

Oh, I have a '98 kdx 200 with a fresh top-end.

 

[powercart]

Last year I got my 94 kdx. I had no idea what was in it when I got it so I decided to try the belray 80wt. My God!! Shifting was harder then crazy, and I was hitting neutral every 2 seconds. It was awful!!!

I then changed my brand every time I changed my oil, untill i came to castroll 10-30. Surprisingly enough, the 10-30 ran very smooth, and soft. You do need to change ur oil more ofter, but it is worth the smoooth shifts. When the riding gets a little colder I try to move to 10-40, and it also works well.
In fact a month or so ago, I got a manual for my bike, and reading in it, I learned that they actaully recomend 10-30. So just my oppinion, Ive had very good luck with the castroll. :)

 

[JCW]

I know that running a thick oil in cold weather makes the bike hard to shift and probably does not lubricate as well. I don't know what viscosity your Bel Ray oil was. In the south I run Golden Spectro Gear Saver 80 weight in the winter and 85 weight in the summer. It has worked very well for me for many years. I have also noted that some bikes like a little more oil than is recommended. My 03 KDX200 likes about .75-.80 liters when the manual says .70. It shifts super smooth with that little bit of extra oil. I can't explain the difference and I know you don't want to over do it on the oil. However, for me this seems to work. I've done this for years on a bunch of KX 250's and I've never had a problem. It goes without saying, but clean air and clean oil are the life of a 2 stroke engine. I change mine after every long ride and never go more than two rides. That's probably a little overkill, but I have never changed clutches or had any tranny problems in 30 years of riding (cheap insurance). Good Luck!

 

[mmmbeergood]

Thanks, it's refreshing to know I'm not the only one. I've heard mixed reviews on rugular motor oil, some say it's great, but I've also heard that there's something in it that will make clutch plates slip. Ant thoughts...
Gordo

 

[canyncarvr]

Don't use a motor oil with 'friction modifiers' in it.

Run a good 800ml (as opposed to the 700 spec).

 

[D36-108A]

I've used Bel-Ray in my gearbox forever, with no such trouble. Only down to just-above-freezing temps, though. And I always changed it after every race or every few trail rides. And I put 800cc in there; I think in part because Fredette recommended it on his KDX setup tape.

 

[powercart]

Originally posted by mmmbeergood
but I've also heard that there's something in it that will make clutch plates slip. Ant thoughts...
Gordo

Normal Castroll 10-30 will not make your clutch plates slip. Be carefull with the synthetic oils though, some can cause you problems.

 

[JasonWho]

---

 

[D36-108A]

Jason, I think it was all the watercooled KDX200 motors. Maybe it wasn't Fredette and it was a service manual update or something. Somebody help me out here, I'm gettin' old and I forget.

 

[KDX at Work]

Jeff has always told me to "pour the whole quart in there." I always have and have not had any problems. My shifting is fine, motor is quieter, no problems...

 

[Tom Ludolff]

I started with Kawasaki 10W40 in my new '03 KDX220 and had hard shifting and hit neutral alot. After hearing all the recommendations for synthetics (with No Energy Conserving seal), I found Castrol Syntec 5W50 full synthetic. Slightly Over Full. Wow, what a difference!!! Very quiet and smooth shifting and no more catching neutral!!!

 

[JasonWho]

---

 

[GREENHORNET]

whAT A BOUT AMS OIL ATF OR MOTUL I'VE BEEN RUNNING MOTUL BUT AM LOOKING AT AMS OIL ATF PLEASE TELL ME IF THIS MAKE ANY SENSE TO RUN EITHER ONE OF THESE OILS

 

[powercart]

Originally posted by JasonWho
I have a '94 with about 450 miles on it and I have Bel-Ray 80w in there right now. I think it is at the top of the sight level. I have trouble finding neutral.

Jason, Try castroll 10-30. You would be amazed at how good it works, I was skeptical at first to, but after trying it, im convinced :)

 

[GREENHORNET]

never mind about ams oil atf it bad for your tranny--i'm using bel-ray 75 weight i also have a fresh top end--soon as the weather warms up i can start jetting