Mineral Oil for Clutches

Discussion in 'Trials' started by DerViking, Nov 17, 2012.

  1. DerViking

    DerViking Shred

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2006
    Oddometer:
    5,076
    Location:
    Black Bill Park
    Hey all.

    Today I bled out my clutch on my Gas Gas with the dregs from a bottle of Magura blood oil I have had around, but I would like to flush it more thoroughly, and the blood oil comes in small bottles.

    A few searches for alternative turned up some surprising options. Many people said they used 2.5 or 5 weight fork oil and or ATF in their clutches.

    Anyone have anything to relate on the Gassers related to clutch oil?

    Thanks
    #1
  2. lineaway

    lineaway Long timer

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2011
    Oddometer:
    16,465
    Location:
    Edgewood, New Mexico
    Find a cheap baby oil, 99% mineral oil less than 1% fragrance. Fork oil could be 60/40.
    #2
  3. DerViking

    DerViking Shred

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2006
    Oddometer:
    5,076
    Location:
    Black Bill Park
    I've tried baby oil in the past, and found it far to viscous, clutch action was very stiff. Did I just get the wrong baby oil?
    #3
  4. mung

    mung Long timer

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2008
    Oddometer:
    2,156
    Location:
    Idaho
    Try using silicone dot 5.0 brake fluid.Use same fluid in brakes and clutch.Does not absorb moisture like other brake fluid so you need to flush more often so the internal parts do not get corroded.I flush rear brake every 3-4 months front every 6 months. Regular brake fluid absorbs moisture so there is less problem in the short term with internal corrosion.
    #4
  5. laser17

    laser17 Long timer

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2008
    Oddometer:
    1,486
    Location:
    Boston,Massachusetts
    #5
  6. Sting32

    Sting32 Trials Evangelist

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2009
    Oddometer:
    2,377
    Location:
    Minneapolis, Ks
    Not sure you have NOT confused me. ATF is for inside the housings (lubes main bearings and clutch & all the gears. I really like using 0w/30 yamahlub in my clutch, but the better riders (like experts masters & up) seem to like ATF because of instantly grabbing clutch. I like a very nice slip-able clutch, I call that progressive, slightly more slip amounts in that area where clutch lever is being let out to engage. ATF can be "slightly" less progressive, aka ON/OFF feeling.

    Then in the Hydraulic levers, I remove the mineral oil, replace with easier to find DOT 5, I cant say there is much difference other than easy to get DOT5 comparatively, most cycle places carry 5.
    #6
  7. DerViking

    DerViking Shred

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2006
    Oddometer:
    5,076
    Location:
    Black Bill Park
    Yes, ATF for the Tranny. Just got my bike back from the shop, put in one 20 minute ride, then changed the oil. No idea what they put in, but it was not ATF.

    You more or less answer my question as to Dot 5 in the clutch. I know it will work, in terms of viscosity etc. You can use water in a pinch, or the special yellow fluid as my friend Buck put it, and my old KTM came home with water in the system several times. (very leaky slave)

    But how will the Dot 5 treat the seals and lines? If you have been running it for years with no issues, that is good enough for me.
    #7
  8. mung

    mung Long timer

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2008
    Oddometer:
    2,156
    Location:
    Idaho
    Been running Dot 5 in all the hydraulics since 95.Never had any probs.The big advantage of Dot 5 is that it is made of silicone.Silicone is inert so it will not eat things like regular brake fluid will.Your paint and polished parts will thank you if you ever spill on paint or polished surfaces.It also happens to work very well in these applications.
    #8
  9. Sting32

    Sting32 Trials Evangelist

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2009
    Oddometer:
    2,377
    Location:
    Minneapolis, Ks
    I dont run ATF anymore, I use 0w/30 Yamalube. This is a lightweight motor oil, which works FINE, might be similar to what another owner used in your bike.

    The thing about ATF, it is cheap, also that it makes the clutch (IMHO at least) very "quick". I like my clutch to have a little less instant bite, that is why I went with the yamalube
    #9
  10. toro618

    toro618 Long timer

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2009
    Oddometer:
    1,051
    Location:
    NJ
    #10