compatible???

[5dracing]

When my son started racing he rode the mini KTM's. They had the wet centrifugal clutch. We were always trying to find a way to get better action on the clutch. I got talking with other guys and they were running ATF in their minis. I switched to it and could not believe the difference. I changed oil after every ride but that was done moreso becuase of the centrif clutch and how much heat it made. We use to go thru about 4 clutches a season before the ATF, but only 2 after I started using ATF. It also seemed to make the clutch grab better.

This is all based on the mini automatic KTM's.

I have really considered using it in the K5.

[maddoggy]

i like to change my oil after every " hard full day" of riding. the reason is because when you drain it into an open pan you can see a little bit of metallic sheen in the oil. i'm sure nothing is going south like a bearing or such. it's just the nature of the clutch system and normal wear. i just don't like the idea of free floating metal of any size in the oil. by the way, no i don't have a magnetic plug and yes i plan to get one. as far as the girlfriend goes, if it's meant to be it'll work no matter what. MADDOGGY

[BDI]

The silver In your oil Is from the aluminum clutch plates.

[maddoggy]

right you are BDI. do you think it's a waste of time and money to change oil on the interval i talked about in the previous post? i know the aluminum is a soft metal, but the idea of free floating metal of any kind in my case makes me cringe. i mean we're only talking a couple dollars per oil change right? what do you think? MADDOGGY

[stewart]

i would be wooreyed about the aluimunin  giong through my bearings and stuff in the lower end so i would change to a clutch kit with steels just for that reason

[BDI]

I have a factory cluth with kevlar fibers and steel plates and stiffer spring's It works awsome.The drawback to steel plates Is they eat the clutch hub and add weight to the drive train the weight can be good or bad depending on what kind of riding you do.The aluminum is so fine It's possible That It could actually be good for the gears kind of like leaded fuel making valve seats last In the old day's But I'm probably way out in left feild with that. But I do know this I had aluminum plates in my kx500 for over ten years with out problem one.

[Timbowe]

I've allways used a full syn in my crankcases of all bikes, on and off road. And in the 4 wheeled transporters too. I have had no trouble with clucth slip    ever. Also I believe that the ATF does'nt have the same protection qualities as a reputable syn oil. If you rub an ATF between your thumb and forefinger and then do the same with ATF you can feel the difference in vicosity. Sure this is no totally scientific test measure, but I just could'nt run something that doesnt sit right in my mind in my expensive gearbox.

 I run 20/50 Ams which is one of the best syns on the market and is available at a good price compared to others out there. Amsoil has been a market leader in syn technology since 1972. I have used thier 100:1 2 stroke in my bikes for the last 20  years without any problems. In fact other mates who I've put on to 100:1 cant believe how well the stuff protects thier engines with much less wear on the bores and piston compared to other products. But each to thier own.

[don46]

Barnett has cryodized clutch plates, Aluminum that have been tempered using Nitrogen. I've not tried them in the 500, but did run them in a 125 race bike, they didn't wear at all, so if you want to use aluminum, this might be an option.

[adrenalinejunky81]

Don't use synthetic in your girlfriend and keep religion of any form away from your KX.

Theres no charge for my first consultation but the next answer costs

Arizona girls have more synthetic parts than probably anywhere except Cali, and they look great I might add...

Whenever I get the KX off the ground more than about 2ft I say a quick prayer, its seemed to work so far...

So I hope you dont charge much for this info