Ok, firstly sorry for not being around lately but I've had major family and personal issues to deal with recently ! This is one that is probably aimed more towards all you pro mechanics out there... I've just come back from our annual Euro road trip, mainly in France and Italy this year. I serviced my bike prior to the trip as I normally do, fresh oil / filter / cleaned air filter / chain / tyres / all the usual stuff I do every year. We had no bike issues at all during our 11 day 3000 mile trip but it was damn hot in the south of France and as a result I regularly saw my temp gauge well over 100 degrees, the highest reading being 109 but only for a very short period. At one point I was hammering down the motorway outside Nimes at 90 mph and my gauge was showing 97 degrees, like I said it was 'kin hot there ! Since coming home my gearbox seems a bit notchy, especially selecting 5 and 6 gear but not always, it tends to be fussy when I'm just plodding along with no real power on. I suspected my clutch cable may have stretched a little due to all the use it got up in the Alps so I've adjusted that and checked a few obvious things such as chain tension, all of which are fine. Since adjusting the cable the problem is better but not 100% so I'm wondering now if my oil may be "cooked" as the gearchange is always smoother after fresh oil ??? I'm running Castrol 10W40 semi synth as I have been for the last 14000 miles. Any ideas / input, Ta !
the oil should last double that but seeing you are now back in colder climates with a thicker oil could start to make it feel a bit more notchy.you could change it to 10w30 if it is really bothering you that much.
I take your point (thanks) but I've always run that grade / make and not had a problem, the gearbox on these bikes isn't the smoothest at best. Just seems a little weird that's all, the bike did a lot of high temp running and got a slight thrashing in the Alps but I would expect Castrol Semi Synth to cope ok with that over 3000 miles, haven't had an issue before. I wonder if my clutch plates are wearing out or something ?
could be slightly heat polished but it could be the way the bike is now is the way it was before you went, then when you were away it got slightly smoother and now you notice it coming back.I always say you cant usually tell if something is getting better on a bike but you sure as hell can notice it getting worse lol. the honda recommend grade is 10/30 for the uk so you could give that a bash and see how it goes, or just try an oil change for the same.
