Oil Change Blues

[StinkyPete]

A month ago my ST1300 was serviced by my local dealer (who usually do it), and I noticed afterwards that the gear changes both up and down had become somewhat clunky.  Oil used was their own "L1002-HP4-13205" bulk oil, which is what they have always used.   Checked the oil level today and found it was  slightly overfilled and level with the top of the window, so I drained a little out, so that it's between the lines in the window.    Gear changes up and down are still a little clunky.    Any ideas of a possible cause?

[Biggles]

Over-filling to that extent would not cause clunky gear changes.  What are the viscosity specs of their bulk oil?

[Diesel]

Agree with Biggles - if that's the oil they usually use with no usual probs .... then check your riding boots!     

Seriously - only difference is the time of year (atmospheric conditions such as humidity)  OR  did they REALLY change the oil?

These symptoms are conducive with leaving oil in too long etc. Usually an oil and filter change brings crisper gear changes etc.

Not much help - but a couple of things to consider.   

Cheers, Diesel

[StinkyPete]

What are the viscosity specs of their bulk oil?

It's a blended mineral and synthetic oil, with a viscosity of 10W40.

[saaz]

It could be that the oil they use has changed a little bit.  Overfilling should not cause an issue like that.  Was the gear change worse after the change, as that is a bit unusual comparing any new oil to old oil.  Is this at the Honda interval of 12,400kms?

[StinkyPete]

I have no suspicions that the dealer is cheating me and did not change the oil.  I religiously change oil  every  6,000km.   This time the gear change clunk seems to have got worse since the change, which has not previously been the case.
Is it worth doing another change, and using a 15W50?

[jwm]

Is it possible that they have been supplied or used the wrong oil? Just wondering if the oil they used is detergent based?

[saaz]

I change the ST1100 at 12,000kms to 16,000kms with synthetic oil (10W-40) and find not problems at its old age. With Mineral oil of 15W-40 10,000kms oil changes were no problems.  10W-40 mineral oil did not seem to last as long in terms of the gear change feel.  I was going to go with a 15W-50 next change purely because at 213,000kms the ST1100 started to use a bit of oil between changes using the 10W-40.

If you want a really good oil the 15W-50 version of the full synthetic oil I have used is http://www.penriteoil.com.au/products.php?id_categ=1&id_brand=3&id_products=278  It will easily exceed the Honda recommended oil change interval of 12,400kms.

[StinkyPete]

I changed the oil today and filled her with Castrol Activ 4T 15W50, which was on special at Supercheap Auto.    Problem resolved.........

[Biggles]

I changed the oil today and filled her with Castrol Activ 4T 15W50, which was on special at Supercheap Auto.    Problem resolved.........

and the moral of the story is......

[Couch]

Might be worth a mention to the dealer Pete

I change my oil and filter every 12,000kls and I use Yamalube semi synthetic, as recommended I should use by my local Honda dealer. This is the oil they use on all the oil changes they do. I cannot see any point in changing oil earlier than at 12,000kls, as that's what's specified in the Honda manual. My oil always looks reasonably good when I change it, and I don't notice any difference in gear changes between old and new!