ATF as Gear Lube

[jfabmotorsports.com]

I finally tried ATF type F in my red 450.  Gave me a huge improvement in clutch feel and slipping modulation, which lead to far less stalling in the ugly stuff.  Trans shifted quite a bit better and my occasional missed shifts went away.  Prior oil used was regular 10W40 motorcycle oil. Great results overall. Cam.

KXcam,  You had better clear up how it is even posible that you can use ATF in a Honda 450 before someone tries it in a Kawasaki 450f. Way different deal!!!!

[bob larry]

Been using it for two summers now.  Motomaster ATF f
Works great for $4.  I change it every weekend

[weymouth399]

I have alway used atf dex2 changed every 5 gals or so (two rides top) never thought about any other, it always worked realy good
years ago i used gearsaver (when i worked at a dealership) too pricey plus didn't clean like atf till you open your clutch and replace them aluminum plates most oil will turn to sluge if not changed daily
  bob

[ThrottleJunky]

Yep, I've been using  ATF in 2 stroke trannys since '00.   I was a straight 30 wt. guy.  Didn't want to change until one day at the track, I had no choice.   Worked just fine.    Got to where I don't even look to see which type it is.   Important part is to change it often. It's cheap!

[wickedwon]

I have been using ATF for year. read about it in one of ERIC GORR's books. Works fine. Only problem I hade was in a older 125, it started showing main seal leak. I keep reading the work "cheap", don"t use cheap fuilds! I use the B&M trick. which you can buy just about everywere.    good luck

[tschisi]

It seems that i?m the only one with major ATF-Problems.
I put it in my k5, in my CRF450, and in the 125 ktm of a friend of mine.
The k5 is the only one that runs good with it.
In my CRF the gear-shift mechanism quit it?s work and in the ktm the spring that puts the shift lever back to the center position broke, both immediately after the oil change.
I could fix both but that was just annoying...
arrgh! 

[stewart]

i talked with the oil reps and atf is not right for these dirt bike transmissions

[ToomanyKaws]

Rode four rides with ATF and changed it every two.  I just went back to Belray Gearsaver.  I didn't like the looks of the ATF when it came out of the 500 trannys.   See more super fine metal in the ATF where on any of my KX, KDX bikes I don't see hardly any with the Belray.
Same thing with two stroke oil.   People constantly switching brands.   Like the Redline two stroke oil by the gallon.    Haven't done any top ends in a long time.

[blueoval]

 talked with the oil reps and atf is not right for these dirt bike transmissions

Stewart, I am very curious about this.  Will you give more details?   thx

[bob larry]

talked with the oil reps and atf is not right for these dirt bike transmissions

Stewart, I am very curious about this.  Will you give more details?   thx

Ya please tell more!

[bob larry]

Rode four rides with ATF and changed it every two.  I just went back to Belray Gearsaver.  I didn't like the looks of the ATF when it came out of the 500 trannys.   See more super fine metal in the ATF where on any of my KX, KDX bikes I don't see hardly any with the Belray.
Same thing with two stroke oil.   People constantly switching brands.   Like the Redline two stroke oil by the gallon.    Haven't done any top ends in a long time.

Ya you can really see the red come out into the pan and the silver streak of metal like a skunk.
I change it so often I thought it was a better way to go....but now not sure.

[BDI]

the atf thing blows me away. If it needs to be changed every time you ride in order to keep it from screwing your bike up then that should tell you right there it not good for your bike, not to mention how wasteful it is. It would piss me off just because I was wearing out the drain plug hole.

[weymouth399]

It don't, it just has such good cleaning abilities you can see the wear of the aluminum plates (they are junk). when I switch to metal plates no more discoloration. you could ride for a long time, but it is so cheap just replace it often. I also clean my air filter sometimes when it don't quite need it yet just me
 

[BDI]

I never had any problem with the aluminum plates. I think it's far better to buy new plates rather then new clutch hubs. The silver stuff in the oil never bothered me none. I think it's fare more important what kind of oil you use in the tranny.

[bigbellybob]

i just read the whole thread agein.

Posted by: stewart 

i talked with the oil reps and atf is not right for these dirt bike transmissions

i would also like to know why?

i have ran the B&M full synthetic trick shift starting some time in 06. like i said earlier it was a big improvement in shifting and clutch action. this stuff is not red its more of a blue. it always comes out metallic grey. true i ride a KTM. KTM's have a magnetic drain plug. before the switch i always had some metal shavings on it every oil change. i have not got that with the B&M, the plug just has a grey metallic goop on it, but no shavings. i did not switch to save money. the synthetic trick shift cost more than what i was running (spectro golden 80w ). i switch because a 10 sec. drag car can get a extra session or two out of the trans just from running it over standard ATF.