Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > Supersports: SS / SuperSport / Supersport 950 > engine oil...

[paologray]

hello boys and girls.

What engine oil should I be running in my 750ss?
Ive had enough of the slipping clutch. finally decided to sort it out... 1st thing tomorrow morning!

the clutch is slipping due to wrong oil use, so can anyone suggest a brand specifically for the wet clutch?

Paul

[Herb]

Just has my 750 ss serviced at Cornerspeed and Nelly used shell advance ultra which is fully synthetic and is suitable for motorcycles with wet clutches.

From the shell website (worth a look, quite an interesting site)

Key features of Shell Advance 4-stroke oils

- Uses base oil with built in high viscosity index and excellent shear stability, meaning less viscosity improvers, to keep engines and gearboxes cleaner
- Additive technology which perfectly suits the requirements of wet clutches
- High thermal stability to give longer lasting and safer lubrication
- High evaporative stability and hence lower engine oil consumption
- Better cold flow characteristics and hence easier engine starts and quicker protection
- High quality anti-wear protection
- Powerful antioxidant action to ensure it protect parts for longer and keeps your engine clean
- Top quality detergents that provide effective component cleaning and long-term cleanliness
- Strong dispersion agents that keep carbon particles in suspension and prevent sludge build up
- Anti-foaming additives that maximise lubrication effectiveness
- Excellent elastomer compatibility to protect hoses and seals and avoid adverse effects on hose performance
- Special additives to neutralise acid build up
- Oil technology designed to suit the requirements of incorporated gear boxes
- Meets or exceeds highest international specifications (JASO, API)

[Carbon749]

You probably know this, but ...


One thing to make sure is that you buy a specific motorbike oil. Fully synthetic bike oils, infact all bike oils, are different to synthetic car oils. They have different characteristics due to the different requirements. Car engine oils have "friction modifiers" which suit car engines but wreck wet clutches, were as bike oils have properties to ensure they can lubricate the gearbox as well as the engine without de-grading.

Spec for spec bike oils are actually quite basic when compared to car oils, but, bike oils are specific to bikes due to the wet clutch and gearbox lubes.

My advice would be to select the correct viscosity of oil and then buy a major brand such as Shell, Castrol, Silkolene etc.

[nelly]

I've had no problems running Ultra in wet clutches. As herb mentions I've used it in his bike.
I only use Shell, so i'm a little biased but either Ultra (fully synth) or VSX (semi) will be OK.
The 2V are ok on either 10W/40 or 15W/50 as the 15W is tough to get a hold of.
The points that Carbon make are very valid.

Before you start looking at the oil, check your clutch is OK to. Even having used the "wrong" oil could've buggered it??????? or it could just be worn, especially if it's been slipping for some time.

[paologray]

it really not that bad. its more than rideable.
it was doing the same thing as when we put car oil in my mates trike... and that had a new clutch fitted.

[paologray]

so... how do I remove the clutch cover and inspect said clutch?

[paologray]

slipping clutch?
Not on your Nelly!!
Its gone!
Time to re-list on ebay now me-thinks as a fully working Duke!
HUZZAHHHHH

[Herb]

So did you clean and inspect the clutch? How did you get on.

Did you replace it or just change the oil and what did you use?

[paologray]

I just changed the oil and filter. It does slip a TINY bit now, but Im gonna drop the new oil in about another 50 miles time, empty the filter and start over again. Hopefully that should sort it out finally.
I tried to take the clutch cover off, but it wouldnt budge, I took all the bolts out, but i didnt want to tug it too hard just incase there was a spoiler gasket inside that I didnt want to afford...