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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 7
| My clutch started slipping this weekend. Approx. 12K miles and I'm not sure what to do. I changed the oil about 400 miles ago. I'm running Mobile 1 V-Twin 20W-50W. Clutch seems ok when it is cold but after riding, slips if I give it moderate throttle. There also seems to be some increased vibration at 3,500 RPM and up. Should I get it in to the dealer or should I change the oil to a Semi- synthetic and see if it get's better. Kevinx, is this the type of issue you have warned us about with the synthetic oil? |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 25
Illinois | Are you using an "easy clutch"? I had one on my bike and it did the same thing. As soon as I took it off, the bike was fine... |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | krugs006, is all 12,000 miles yours or did you by the bike used? I would change the oil before doing anything else, personally. Also, that vibration says something is wrong, period. if you have a warranty, take it to the dealer. The vibration would be something seperate from the clutch problem, however the vibration may be a symptom of the problem causing the clutch to slip. I would say change oil, if you still have the problem have it trailered to the dealer. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 162
Extreme Southern, AZ United States | At the risk of starting another "oil" thread, does anyone run synthetic and rides a lot, 5-10K a year at least and have NO issues? I have run AMSOIL in my other victory, but am worried about running it in the Vision. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1340
Gainesville Fl Home of the Gators | Change the oil ASAP, and give it a couple of hundred miles. Not sure about the vibration, but since it coincides with the area of peak torque. It may be another symptom. |
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Tourer
Posts: 354
20 miles west of Chicago. | JustBob - 2010-04-11 9:16 PM
At the risk of starting another "oil" thread, does anyone run synthetic and rides a lot, 5-10K a year at least and have NO issues? I have run AMSOIL in my other victory, but am worried about running it in the Vision.
Amsoil in my 04 KP since the second oil change, no problems, 30, 000+ miles. (I have a Stage 3 Vic clutch spring, I should add.) Amsoil in my 08 Vision, since the second oil change, 23, 000 + miles with no apparent problem. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 115
Columbus, Ga | kruggs006 - when you find out the solution to your issues please make sure you report back here what you find. Hope it is nothing serious and your back in the saddle soon. Thanks |
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Cruiser
Posts: 146
| What exactly does your bike feel like while riding? What are your exact symptoms...because I feel I may have a similar issue. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | JustBob - 2010-04-11 10:16 PM
At the risk of starting another "oil" thread, does anyone run synthetic and rides a lot, 5-10K a year at least and have NO issues? I have run AMSOIL in my other victory, but am worried about running it in the Vision.
30,000 a year "NO ISSUES" 66,800 on the clock... |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | i ran the amsoil for the past 10,000 miles with no issues with the clutch and recently i went to the Mobil1 10w40 with about 600 miles on that oil and no issues. but if i was you i would change it to a semi synth or just a regular 10w40/ 20w40 motorcycle oil ASAP, just to see. but the oil you are using is NOT energy conserv so it doesnt even have friction modifiers in it at all... But since an oil change is cheap compared to anything else i would change it. I knew people on kawasaki forums where they had bad clutches in as soon as 1000 miles.. and as you can guess there was NO warranty on it. no matter what the mileage was.. you will always get blamed for a clutch, if its defective or not.. Its hard to prove other wise.. (at least from the years and years of reading motorcycle forums) |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | You may want to check the oil level to be sure it is not too full. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 7
| Oil level is good. Checked it twice today. I'm going to change the oil Tues. and see what happens. I bought the bike with 3k on it. I know the guy I bought it from, he is a Polaris Exec. Not concerned that he abused the clutch. I will post here after I have changed the oil and put some miles on. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 73
San Diego, Ca | Before you change the oil . Check your clutch lever to make sure it is not sticking . You may think your clutch is all the way out and it's not . That just happen to a buddy today . Clean & lubricate the clutch pivot bushing so the clutch lever does not bind .
Ken |
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Central Wisconsin | krugs006 - 2010-04-11 8:29 PM My clutch started slipping this weekend. Approx. 12K miles and I'm not sure what to do. I changed the oil about 400 miles ago. I'm running Mobile 1 V-Twin 20W-50W. Clutch seems ok when it is cold but after riding, slips if I give it moderate throttle. There also seems to be some increased vibration at 3,500 RPM and up. Should I get it in to the dealer or should I change the oil to a Semi- synthetic and see if it get's better. Kevinx, is this the type of issue you have warned us about with the synthetic oil? Mobil's website site stated it's safe for wet clutch. Make sure it doesn't say energy conserving on the oil container.
It's possible you might need to add to or change your clutch fluid, use Dot 4 brake fluid. If that don't solve your slippage then change your engine oil. Tom 
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | I'm using the same oil, full synthetic. 24,000 plus miles, no problems. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 260
| Amsoil in all 4 Vics I have owned. In Vision for 10K, since the 2ND oil change. No slippage. Did you over fill? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | I was running Shell Rotella-T syn for a while. Started having gear indicator problems. Dealership changed bolt and Vic to them to urge me to stay with Vic oil. Rotella was easier to shift and made the engine a lot quieter. I had no slippage with the Rotella-T. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Ok here is what I KNOW and a little about what I SUSPECT. Running synthetic WILL make your clutch slip, the fix is simple as KevinX said, change your oil to the Victory stuff (Keven and I butted heads on this but he was correct). Seems as though the Vision will run just fine on Synthetic for about 10-12k and all of the sudden start slipping. If you catch it quickly it only takes about 100-200 miles to get it engaging like new after which you can go back to synthetic again at your next oil change without having any slipping. I'm assuming that the fiber plates somehow become overly slick from the synthetic over time and the reuse of semi-syn helps to clean them back off restoring proper friction to grab. I've got 24k in a little less than 2 years (not bad annual mileage for a northern guy, lol) and I've had to return to the semi-syn only once at about 12-15k. I'm bck to full synthetic again with no slipping. I've run both the Amsoil 20/50 and Mobil VTwin 10/40 & 20/50. Now here is the IMPORTANT part; YOUR bike may be more or less accepting of one brand and/or type of oil than mine. That seems to be why some folks experience slipping while others don't. It would also explain varying results with different brands. I guess this is where it pays to know your bike. Good luck but I'd do as KevinX said and put some Vic oil in her until she stops slipping. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | just wondering.. what does a clutch cost to replace on a vision? i never ever had to replace clutch on a motorcycle before. just wondering whats the average cost for such a thing? |
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | I know when it's time to change the oil by how my clutch feels. When I'm overdue, the cluch gets real "grabby". Doesn't engage smoothly. This happened with the Vic oil before the 2500 interval, especially in the summer. It was the same with the Yamaha V-star I had before the Vision. Change the oil and all is good again. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | what is the normal life of a motorcycle clutch? My guess would be well over 100,000 if one did not ride it a lot like in heavy traffic... but what has some experienced? Not just Vic's but all bikes? Don't mean to hijack the thread, but some how it seems relevant. BTW I'm over 66,000 miles and run that crappy AMSOIL and use a $2.58 SuperTech filter and everthing seems to work well. I guess I got the odd bike. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | I think with any vehicle with a clutch, it depends on the driver. I listen to the way some people take off from a light and you know they are going to need a clutch in a year. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 14
| I'm not a wrench..far from it but just had a clutch issue with my vision. The clutch lever had no resistance and wouldn't shift at all....seems it was a faulty slave cylinder which had to be replaced..not sure if this has anything to do with your problem but I thought I would toss it out there. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| As to the how long on the clutch? I've seen them go in as little as 50k or go far in excess of 100k. Depends a great deal on how badly you abuse your clutch. Since the Vision clutch is hydro and they tend to have a long throw, you'll likely abuse it far less than with a cable as you won't be sliding it near as often. Long and short I'd expect 100k+ from the Visions clutch. I want to say it is right around $400 for a new one (plates/fibers). |
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Visionary
Posts: 1340
Gainesville Fl Home of the Gators | Teach - 2010-04-14 6:24 PM
. I want to say it is right around $400 for a new one (plates/fibers).
Closer to $700 from Vic by the time you by each part individually. Slightly more expensive if you buy the entire basket. Barnett sells a set for $175 complete with plates and disks. Add a new Vic spring for $50, and you are all set for a fraction of the price |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | my guess I'll go beyond 100,000 since I don't do a lot of take off driving, but was wondering on the bar-hoppers if they got around 30,000 it would be around 4 times more for a trip maker. Besides I get a long life from my clutches since I do it trucker style and don't disengage all the time to shift. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1340
Gainesville Fl Home of the Gators | varyder - 2010-04-14 9:23 PM
my guess I'll go beyond 100,000 since I don't do a lot of take off driving, but was wondering on the bar-hoppers if they got around 30,000 it would be around 4 times more for a trip maker. Besides I get a long life from my clutches since I do it trucker style and don't disengage all the time to shift.
With proper maint, and thr right oils; the Vic clutch is a pretty good unit. Traded in my TC with over 80K VERY HARD miles including several trips to the track. Clutch still worked great. Jaxhammer replaced his at just over 70K for a failed release bearing, and he wheelies his Hammer all the time.
That being said here is something to think about. Vics use square cut dogs, and slots. Not synchronized trannies that most people have gotten used to. This means shifting without a clutch is not a real good idea. Or put in other terms. Clutches are relatively cheap when compared to transmissions |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | thanks kevinx, I think I'm on track then and the unit you mentioned earlier would be the way to go when the time comes. Right now all is fine and rock solid. |
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Tourer
Posts: 562
SC, Bluffton | kevinx - 2010-04-14 9:11 PM
This means shifting without a clutch is not a real good idea.
Well I didn't even know until a few years ago folks actually did that. It is like not wiping, just not right.  What is next, not using turn signals. Oh wait, maybe that was first?
Herb |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 7
| OK...here is the scoop. The clutch lever was fine. The oil level was fine. 4.5 quarts of Mobile V-Twin 20W-50 put in with a new filter. I had ran the same oil, Mobile V-Twin 20W-50 for the past two oil changes without any problems. Clutch started slipping after a pit stop in the middle of a 200 mile run. Slipped like crazy. If I gave her any amount of throttle, tach would jump 200 to 300 RPM before any increase in speed. I changed the oil with a Semi-Synthetic, Castrol 10W-40, and have put on about 300 miles. No more clutch slipping. The clutch clunks more when I shift and feels heavier but doesn't slip at all. I picked up a the 20W-40 Victory Oil this afternoon from Bristow's Polaris/Victory in St. Cloud, MN and I intend to change the oil again ASAP and I intend to run the Victory oil from now on.
You all can have your oil threads until whenever, but I'm now convinced that KevinX is rite on regarding this issue. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I'm happy if you're happy. I'm glad it has worked out for you. Ride on, Ride safe! |
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Clutch Slipping