Delo 400 15/40 going for it

[KX 455]

I have been using delvac 1300 15w40 the last several years in a wet clutch,with excellent tear down and performance results.
Since the new Delo 400 has been out I have been quite impressed with the numbers in the package.

Everyone talks about how friction modifiers are bad for a clutch,especially oils that are lighter weights 10/30 5w30 etc. Which are energy conserving oils with friction modifiers.Does anyone know what these so called friction modifiers are? Is it only moly,because there are some motorcycle oils that do contain moly, redline for instance,mobil mx4t,schaffers etc. Even Delvac has about 50ppm,the mx4t about 90 and schaffers and red line 800-900ppm I believe

My point is lighter weight oils are not the only oils containing moly,so what are these friction modifiers that suppose to cause a wet clutch to slip?

3 years ago in the dead of winter I tried mobil 1 10/30 IN THE Transmission /CLUTCH SIDE just for kicks. 00 KX250,sand riding B rider cutting consistent
laps. The clutch did not miss a beat,it was strong the whole day. I normally run a 40 weight,but since the temp was a bit cooler I wanted to experiment.

I am changing out the delvac (which is a excellent oil) and I am trying the delo 400 (05 RMZ 450 4 STROKE SHARED SUMP,05 KX 250 (2 STROKE Transmission/CLUTCH SIDE) Even though the delo 400 contains a good amount of moly,I have a good feeling the moly will not cause any clutch problems. I THINK IT IS A BUNCH OF POPPY COCK.
Keith
"LET'S JUST RIDE"

[ August 12, 2005, 11:11 PM: Message edited by: KX 455 ]

 

[KX 455]

I smoked my clutch using the DELO 400,it was slipping in and out. Just kidding,clutch pulled like a champ,rode a hour 2 half hr sessions.If the oil was going to make the clutch slip It would of happened with the kinda of torque it is putting out. Very loamy soil and hard pack terrain,hitting top gear often with alot of downshifts and up shifts.Delo 400 stood it's ground it was grabbing strong the whole day. I am very happy!!!!!!!!!!!
Keith
"Let's just ride"

 

[fuel tanker man]

I agree with you. I don't believe that the new moly is any problem for wet clutches. If it were, Mobil wouldn't put more moly in their motorcycle oils than they're putting in their 15W50 car oil.

I, too, have wondered about the "friction modifier" thing.

We are warned not to use oils marked "Energy Conserving" in our wet clutch bikes. But what's in the Energy Conserving oils that is so bad? Too much moly?

I dunno...

Dan

 

[Shaman]

I currently have the old formulation in the bike, let me know how you like the CI-4+

 

[DaveJ]

I have a 79 Suzuki GS425 that has a 2.3l load of Delo 400 15W40 in it now. I only have 200 miles on this change but so far no problems. The trans shifts better and the clutch is not as grabby. Now if I could only get the timing spot on

. DaveJ

 

[KX 455]

Second day out with the delo 400 (the new formula) did not drain from yesterday's testing.
Rode today a hr straight hammerin trails .I think it is safe to say I am putting power to the ground without a hitch at all!!!!!!!!

For my final test I was 45 minutes into my ride,they just broke ground(more houses going up). The ground they leveled out was very dense dirt,clay like ,but dense.With this kind of terrain,it put's a good load on the motor,good for jetting,but also if the clutch is just a tad weak it would show up. I was hooking up all over,3rd gear stand ups without even thinking about it,traction galore.4th gear pulls on the gas until I just about reached the rev limiter.I have been constantly ridng and racing for 19 years(mx).The clutch hooks JUST FINE with the new Delo, no doubht's whatsoever. Just to let everyone know I was on my RMZ450 (4 stroke mx) shared crank and transmission(8 fiber plates and 7 steel). I even gained smoother shifting,going from 2nd-3rd. If you rev out 2nd a little too much not over revving,but just pass the meat of the power, 3rd sometimes was hard to grab ,it was reluctant to come out of 2nd.I on purpose revved 2nd out, oh you can say quite a few times.3rd gear was very welcomed with the Delo, came out of 2nd very smooth.My oil will get dropped now,I go no more than 2 rides. I am a big fan of a good dino oil with frequent changes.
cost 7.40 a gallon at wally world.

You know,Delo needs to explain or make the oil sound more appealing on the gallon jug. The wording is very boring on the jug,but hey that is why this is such a great site!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keith
"LET'S JUST RIDE"

 

[KX 455]

quote:

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Originally posted by fuel tanker man:
I agree with you. I don't believe that the new moly is any problem for wet clutches. If it were, Mobil wouldn't put more moly in their motorcycle oils than they're putting in their 15W50 car oil.

I, too, have wondered about the "friction modifier" thing.

We are warned not to use oils marked "Energy Conserving" in our wet clutch bikes. But what's in the Energy Conserving oils that is so bad? Too much moly?

I dunno...

Dan

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My feelings exactly!