All in my head? (Oil change)
 

So I successfully changed the oil & filter for the first time on Saturday (4k miles, I didn't do the 600 mile service) and replaced it with Castrol bikey stuff.

All going well. Red oil = good, black oil = dirty.

Now, on the ride into work today, I was sure that the bike felt smoother, and seemed to be less rough in noise. Am I imagining it?

Secondly, and most importantly.

I thought changing the oil may have had a positive effect on the problem I have getting from 2nd to neutral, at a standstill. But no, its still nigh on impossible without rolling back and forth, then eventually giving in and hitting the kill switch, at which point it becomes simple, and effortless.

Any ideas?

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

As your bike is practically new, take it back to the dealer and have it sorted under warranty?

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

This happened on my pointy when i put too much oil into it. took some (150ml) out and she was as smooth as a smooth thing.

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

i should get some new oil if its that good!

ermm it could just be the clutch, have you changed or adjusted it at all as theres alot of travel in it but the bite point needs to be quite pecific so it might not be fully disingaged, try fiddiling :).

then again i could be talking out my **** but just an idea.

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

If it's in your head, then it's in mine too. Mine always feels smoother after a change. But then, when I do oil/filter, I also do air filter & plugs. Then I balance TB's and check TPS, and also throw in a chain tension check/adjust. Oh yea, lets not forget clutch/throttle cables. Maybe doing everything causes it to be in my head? (My bike may not be clean, but it's mechanically great!)

No clue, but as LP said, it's under warranty.

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

Either to much oil, your clutch wants adjusting or your chain is to slack or to tight.

Oil level and or chain tension would be the first things I'd check.

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

At risk of repeating what others have said:

1. Yes, it will be smoother - you should notice the difference of any service.

2. The most likely cause to your sticky gear changes, is clutch wear and cable stretch. Solution - adjust your clutch. This is detailed in the service manual, but it's best to be shown how. Best to do it at the lever and engine ends of the cable.

It could be an overfill of oil... but I've never come across this myself, but I know others have. If you got the oil between the lines when you refilled, then it's unlikely to be the problem - check and adjust your clutch anyway, it's a good practise thing.

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

The chain seems OK but there is a fair bit of slack in the clutch movement, much more than 15mm as defined by Haynes.

I reckon thats the next thing to get checked.

I like the new oil. This could prove an expensive habit :D

Tempted to take it back to the dealership as its still under warranty, but then they'll say "we're not looking at it unless you get the 4k service done by us, as thats likely the fault"

Grr, thought I coulda fixed it meself.

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

Its not just neutral that its a problem Im finding now too, a change into 1st from either a standing start or a roll gives a pretty loud/forceful CLUNK

Clutch adjustment is suspect #1

Thankyou "team"


:D

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

Kinda similar problem for me, since new, bike has been difficult to get into 1st every now and then. Tends to be if I've had to stop quite quickly for lights etc and am in a high gear 4th + and whilst stationery, have to run down the gears to get into neutral. Once I'm there and the lights go to green there are times where I can't for the life of me get into 1st without rolling back and forth a few times. Mentioned it on the 1st service and stealer said it would be OK after the service, although I've had it a few times since and it's ALWAYS when I'm sat next to another bike :(

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

New oil always feels better, that's why you get 50 threads a year "Oil X is great, I just put some in and now the bike shifts much better than with Oil Y". Not that old oil should feel bad.

And yeah, as's been said your shifting issue is probably just clutch adjustment, though it could also be too much oil.

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

pretty sure its clutch, i was paranoid about putting too much in (didnt want to see it all come out again!), and now its just lower than "F" when the engine is cool.

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

Mine gets stuck in first and always goes through neutral to second...and back again! As yours does, mine clicks straight in to neutral after I've killed it.

I thought this was relatively common on twins?

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

The engine configuration doesn't matter - it's the clutch that's needing a fiddle, when the engine is cold:

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

I don't think I could live with 15mm clutch slack- I adjust it so that there's maybe 2-3mm of slack. Feels very tight, which is good for me.

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

in a hasty manner to get home last night, I thought I'd give it a quick couple of turns just at the lever side of things, and tightened it about 2 turns (it was VERY slack before)

Instant fix (though as said above, should be done at both ends of the clutch really)

Think I overdid it a bit really though, now the clutch only actually operates in the first 1/4 of the lever travel, which means learning how to use the clutch again :D

On the plus side, the 1st/2nd to N shift is almost silent, and effortless.

Must remember to slacken the top and tighten the bottom asap.

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

If an oil change causes a noticable difference then I dont think you're changing the oil enough!

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

Just doing it by the book, but yes, I was surprised.

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

I believe oil level should be checked with engine warm , thats how i check it anyway... and the difference betwin cold and warm oil level is almost a cm.

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

Yes, engine warm, but not roasting.

After 2 or 3 minutes I did it.

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

i have mine like this too.

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

I've been playing with my clutch and worm drive setting- I must buy a protractor so I can get it right! Always takes me 2 attempts- normally cos the first time I don't do it carefully enough with testing on the garden path!

BTW- yeah- new oil and filter- makes a hooj difference! The engine's quieter and everything's loads smoother- and I didn't do the air filter/coolant last time either.

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

What's the benefit there then?

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

The lever end is for adjusting the lever, the engine end is for adjusting the clutch ;)

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

Thanks for that. Unless I'm missing a trick in refitting the sprocket cover I'll stick to just adjusting the lever then.

Goodness me the neighbours kids learned a couple of new words last time. It's impossible I tells ye!

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

On the pointy, bottom end in first. If you're really struggling, small dot of tip-ex on the gear selector arm, then undo the pinch bolt & remove the link rod for the gear lever.

Then the sprocket cover will go back on easy as pie (as the link rod isn't in the way), and you can easily put the link rob back in place due to your little white dot marking your prefered place. ;)

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

Cheers mate. In the end that's what I did, but using the that-looks-about-right method rather than the tippex method :oops:

Still, I'd rather be lucky than good.

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

tell the dealer to get stuffed if he does that and get onto suzuki. eec directive states it does not have to be serviced by a dealer. however there are caveats.

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

Not true. Clutch adjustment is something that is checked on the service. Warranty covers manufacturing defects and if the problem is caused by the bike not being serviced correctly then yes they can say no.

A 4K service isnt just an oil change and Suzuki certainly cannot be held liable for something that has occured due to the bike not being serviced properly!

The bike doesnt have to be serviced by a Suzuki dealer BUT it does have to be serviced by a fully trained tech at a Vat reg garage.;)

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

did i not say there are caveats to my answer??

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

yes you did, I just thought id expand on them:cool:

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

I was just reading what suzuki states on its web site on the subject of warranty. It may enlighten you further. atb, paul

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

Warranty covers manufacturing defects. IE faults that can be directly linked to a defect that was present at the time of manufacture.

In the case of clutch adjustment, this is something that is normally checked and or adjusted at each service, or should be!. Poor clutch adjustment is something that very quickly can cause all kinds of problems and is often overlooked and or only ever adjusted by people at the lever end rather than the base.

Suzuki have clamped down alot lately, like any company due to costs and if the bike has only ever been home serviced id be quite sure that they would not consider a claim that was attributed to poor clutch adjustment.

Oh BTW I saw a bike in last week with running/gear change issues. It had 2L of oil TOO MUCH in it!!..Yes 2L..:smt017:cool:

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

I had a car brought to me, someones mate had done "oil change" for them... how did they know how much oil to put in I asked... "oh he filled it up until you could see it"

Yup, engine completely full. Had got into the cylinders too, not sure how, maybe seeped through the valve seals or something but it was hydro locked. Took the plugs out and gave it a crank, fair covered the guy :smt082

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

now that would be worthy of a YouTube video, lol.

Re: All in my head? (Oil change)
 

That'll be because he was using the "710" cap

http://tensionnot.com/images/oil-cap.jpg