Oil??

I am hoping that my sprag clutch problem is just oil and there's not enough friction to engage the clutch so I'm gonna try changing the oil to see if there is any improvement before splitting the cases. My bike is an '81 Maxim 550 and I have no owners manual. I have read that 20w40 or 20w50 motorcycle oil is best but also heard that rotella 15w40 will work. Anyone have any ideas? I'm changing the oil tomorrow

 

A owners manual will tell you exactly what weight oil to use. 20w40 or 20w50 will work fine as lone as it is a motorcycle specific oil. Rotella will also work because it does not have the friction modifiers like car oil does. I have run rotella in my XS11 but it tends to make the trans shift a little harder so I use a motorcycle oil whenever possible.

 

20w40 is in my manual as the recommended oil. Make sure it is motorcycle oil, automotive oil has additives that wet clutches don't like. Avoid synthetic until you have worked out the clutch issues, many on here have stated that sometimes these old clutches don't respond well to the synth. Try castrol 4T (might have to get 20w50 sometimes the 20w40 is hard to find.)
Don't know about the 15w40.

 

Rotella, and change often !

The gears and chains in a motorcycle shear oil molecules into smaller pieces - ruining viscosity and lubricity - even changing the weight of the oil in just 800 miles ! By 2,000 miles, the oil is used-up.

However, the filter is unlikely plugged and ruined after 2,000 miles, and can be re-used.

 

The 550s rarely have starter clutch issues; if anything it's gummy or your starter itself needs attention.

Castrol 4T 20W50 is fine.

 

Thanks everyone for the info... The problem is not the oil, the starter, or the battery. I bump started it this morning and was going to ride it to work and change the oil in hopes that it would help the clutch issue. I got about a mile down the rode and started hearing clanking sounds in first and second gear. I could feel the vibration of something being thrown around in there on my right foot through the clutch cover. I'm afraid the I'm gonna have to crack open the cases and see exactly what the damage is. Anyone with ideas, tips, suggestions, etc, please post them. I greatly appreciate your time!

 

I'm getting lost in your posts now, not hard for me i know, but you've started 3 topics basically all about your same problem. :idea:
I'm confused :lol:

 

Drain the oil and pull the clutch cover. You may have broken the clutch basket or had one of the bolts work its way out of the clutch assembly. I have seen both happen before.

 

I'm sorry for the confusion and definitely appreciate the help. When I first posted in the chat forum no one responded so I just started throwing things out there. I have removed the motor from the bike and brought it inside to work on in since I don't have a garage. I will start with pulling the clutch cover but I suspect there is more work instore. I tore down the bike in about 2 hours and I have a friend who can help me with splitting the cases if need be but as of right now I have no haynes manual. Anyone know who I can order one from? I am very capable but I need direction as I don't want to cause further damage because I was stupid and got over my head. Again, thank you all for your time.

 

I have been running your problem through my head. What condition is your drive chain in? Was it properly adjusted and lubed? How are your sprockets? The condition of these parts can cause a clanking sound when the bike is ridden. I would recommend taking pictures as you disassemble things so you can see how it all goes back together. If I remember right, Haynes does not make a manual for the 550. You will need to find the factory manual or one from Clymer. If you don't find anything wrong under the clutch cover, I would pull the valve cover next and check there followed by the oil pan. Take your time, take lots of pictures and ask lots of questions.

 

Drop your "oil pan" , lay the debris on a paper towel, post a pic (use "Macro") and 5 guys will tell you what the shrapnel is.

 

It's a 550; the primary chain guide is different and doesn't disintegrate like on the shafties. (It simply can't, it's so different.)

I just responded to your thread on the issue: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=37007.html

ZH is right, and he's telling you the same thing I am; there's a much greater possibility this is clutch related (since the 550s aren't known for starter clutch problems at all.)

He's right about the books too; for the 550 it's Clymer or factory. I recommend both, plus the "XJ FAQ Suggestions" section of this website.

 

Manual

http://www.4shared.com/dir/DVtAfjvr/_online.html

 

The drive chain and sprockets were fine, the bike shifted well, only problem was the starter wouldn't engage the engine so it had to be bump started. I have pulled all covers and found nothing under the clutch cover that would suggest there is any damage there. Do I need to pull the clutch? How do I do it without screwing something up. There are about 5 bolts in the face of it that have springs behind them which I assume hold all the clutch plates together. Thanks again for the help

 

How about we deal with this in the thread that pertains to it instead of running two threads with the same conversation?

This one was about oil; and the answer was "motorcycle oil, not synthetic."

Again, I just responded to the other thread. You can stop asking the same questions in both now.

 

ok