Hi all, read plenty but first post. 2006 650 v storm with 24,000km. Did an oil change using Rock Oil 20w-50, recommended by local mechanic. All good until 500km in when could not change up from 3rd. Down shifts ok. Would sometimes change up but not without effort. Back to mechanic. Told to dump oil and replace with Motul synthetic. Feels like it's improving, but still sticks. Mechanic suggests 'give it some time'. Should I be worried?
Suzuki says 10w-40, your mechanic recommends 20w-50, then when he thinks it is causing issues wants you to change it. Methinks your mechanic is a dick.
I think you have a problem other than the oil. A too heavy oil may make changing gear require a bit more effort and maybe be more 'clunky', but if the problem occurred 500km after the oil change, it doesn't look like the oil is the issue.
Typical problems associated with sticking in gear include not letting the linkage center before trying to shift again and the linkage itself having no lube or dirty lube. Adjusting the lever height can help with the former problem. Sliding the straw from a can of chain lube under the rubber of the shift linkage to get some fresh lube in there is a good idea. Chain lube will penetrate into the joint and leave a fairly thick, long lasting lube behind after the carrier solvent in it evaporates. Lighter oils won't last as long and heavier lubes are difficult to get to penetrate into the joints.
I went from Rotella T5 15W/40 to T6 5W/40 and shifting got noticeably clunky on my 80K mile Wee (NB: not an oil comment!). I was able to get some of the clunk out by adjusting the foot lever to give my boot more room and I did the major clutch adjustment at the actuator in front of the C/S sprocket to make sure it was fully releasing. It also seemed to shift better after I replaced the TPS (replaced due to unsteady idle and stalling at stops not because of the shifting issue). The clunk was not completely gone but significantly reduced after all that. Eventually I went to Brand-X 20W/50 synthetic to help cut the oil consumption (it worked) and I was pleased to discover that now it snicks up or down a gear with no clunk whatsoever, unless operator error.
I never see any difference in shifting with oil weight although I have settled in with 15w50 M1 year round, but, a shot of spray lube on the shift linkage and clutch cable does wonders. I try to do it every other tankful or so when I lube the chain.
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