Rotella T4 15W-40?

RustiePyles

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Has anyone ran Shell Rotella T4 15w40? When I replaced my starter gear I switched from Mobil1 4stroke 20-50 to this stuff and my clutch went rapidly down hill. Pulled it out today only to find my plates 2.9mm. They do have 10,000m on em and are 40years old. Hard to tell how glazed they are. I think I’m going back to Mobil1 20W-50.
 
I don't have many miles on it in my XS yet but I have ran it in other bikes with no problems. It is Jaso Ma and MA2 approved so is rated for wet clutches.
I am also running it in the primary of my Harley with no problems with the clutch. Actually feels better than it Did with Red Line primary oil.
 
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I've used Rotella 15W-40 for many years in my XS650D. When Shell cut the ZDDP content I started adding a bit of ZDD-Plus to keep the cam and rockers happy. Just guessing, but Rotella might not have been compatible with the Mobil1 still on your clutch plates. Shell has started selling a semi-synthetic Rotella 15W-40. I don't use it, it's not rated JASO MA.
 
I've used Rotella 15W-40 for many years in my XS650D. When Shell cut the ZDDP content I started adding a bit of ZDD-Plus to keep the cam and rockers happy. Just guessing, but Rotella might not have been compatible with the Mobil1 still on your clutch plates. Shell has started selling a semi-synthetic Rotella 15W-40. I don't use it, it's not rated JASO MA.
I tried that synthetic blend Rotella in my Goldwing, every time it sat for more than a few days the clutch plates were glued together. Changed back to dino oil and everything's fine.
 
Rotella might not have been compatible with the Mobil1 still on your clutch plates
That’s what I was kinda thinking, maybe the Mobil$ and Rotella weren’t playing nice. My pressure plate did seem to have an unusually high amount of sprung travel before the clutch engaged, maybe my clutch was just toast. That seems weird though given my friction discs were all 2.9mm.
 
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