RFS - leaky clutch - 10W fork oil OK ???????????

[snullia]

Hi all

The clutch master cylinder on my ´02 520 EXC is leaking a little. I have the parts for a rebuild, but not the recommended clutch mineral oil, and the oil will not be available from the dealer anytime soon. I spoke to some guys I know ( pro guys, not amateurs) that have used 10W fork oil for the clutch. They have not had any problems so far.

So I'm curios. Has anyone here had any / know of any problems (short term or long term) related to the use of 10W fork oil for the RFS clutch??? Please inform.


I have had this bike for 3 months. Fun, fun, fun bike. The most universal bike I have ever had, shines in every situation. I can not praise enough the excellent WR 6 speed tranny and the powerful engine. For my use the suspension is very good, but head shake occurs sometimes during high speed.
It suffers heavy use, mainly hard trail riding. Must say this bike requires some maintenance, so far nothing major but numerous "little things".

 

[KDXfile]

My local KTM dealer uses ATF type F in his clutches. That should be easy to get.

 

[smirnov]

I have to bleed a clutch line on a 99 300 EXC and am also curious about what types of oil can be used. ATF fluid sounds good to me since it is cheap and convenient. Anyone else heard of ATF being used in the clutch line?

 

[KM Burgess]

Mobil 1 ATF fluid is spot on for the job and actually improves the clutch feel a little bit. I'm sure other ATF's will be up to the job.

Cheers Burgo

 

[kciH]

I put a Magura clutch on my 01 426 and I found that the only way the unit actually lightens the pull is to use 5w suspension oil (I'm not saying it's the only way..just the way I discovered). I have been using it for 9 months and it has held up. I would still advocate changing the fluid once a year or more often if you are lucky enough to ride a lot. The light suspension oil seemed to reduce the pull as compared to the mineral oil and seems to hold up just fine. I have found it helps to alleviate stress to my forearms when riding for a long period of time.

Happy Roosting :)

 

[flea]

The manual recomends 10 wt (fork oil) I have had no problems with 10 wt
I must admit I have had pressure loss problems using ATF but I cannot say with conviction weather hose routing or ATF was the problem :think:

 

[Bonehead]

Go to your local V.W. shop with an empty container and see if you can get some clutch fluid, it’s the same as K.T. M. runs. Or you can use baby oil, no kidding.

 

[Jaybird]

Use ATF and forget about it. Doesnt have to be type f, but it is what I use for clutch, tranny, forks. Reduces your inventory! :)

 

[PaulXR]

Fork oil, I use 5w as it is the same as I use in the forks and one less bottle of oil in the garage.

 

[snullia]

Thanks guys, excellent info.

 

[lawman]

i've used 5w & 2.5w fork oil, both work great & give light pull. once, in a pinch, i used mineral oil from the drugstore & that worked great, too.

 

[jeb]

I've used 5-10wt fork oil since we KTM started putting hyd clutches on back in 98 and I've had zero problems with that setup. I also had the clutch MC leak early in the life of my 01 400E. No problems in over a year since I rebuilt it.