Changed oil now starter clutch slips

[ahol025]

Quick question
I decided to change the oil in my 1984 gl1200I from standard oil to Amsoil 10W40
The bike shifts smoother than ever but when it gets warm and I try to restart the bike the starter clutch slips. This has NEVER happened in the last 10k miles I’ve owned the bike. Sometimes it takes 5-10 times before it engages and starts right up.
I’m wondering if the Amsoil May be causing this, some forums have said the synthetics are “too slippery” and can cause this issue. I was using Valvoline 10W40 prior and like mentioned above, no issues starting. Should I go back to Valvoline or try something else?
Thank you in advance!!
Allen

[CrystalPistol]

Owned a 1200 from 1995 through 2019, never used synthetic oil and never had the sliding rollers in the one way clutch. Last few oil changes were with Delo 400LE 15w40.
Only ever used synthetic for rear axle of the 1500 trike, never engine oil.

All I got on it.

[Viking]

Yeah, was I you, I would go back to the Valvoline and see if it goes back to normal. The Amsoil should not be doing this, as should be no oil. This has been known to happen with 2009 models of GL1800 for some reason, but 10W30 works well. Also, on the GL1800s it only does it when fairly cold as in below 40 degrees F. The 1800s are working with a Sprague clutch for the starter engagement so it is explainable to a point, even if not really acceptable. I personally do not know if the 1200 also has a sprague or not. Either way, it should not do it when the bike is warm to hot. When/If you drain the Amsoil, save it until you see if the Valvoline corrects the problem. It may not be the oil. Oh, and you did use Amsoil Metric Motorcycle oil, right?

[ahol025]

Thanks for the input
I’m going to run it a few hundred miles more to see if it’s possibly cleaning things up. Then if it doesn’t get better I’ll try the Valvoline
Yes I used the Metric.
I’ll keep y’all posted.

[CrystalPistol]

Yep, 1200 has a sprag clutch with rollers, too slick and they'll slide.

[WINGER3]

Sounds like you put in auto oil which has additives for better MPG and is bad for wet clutch's, ok for dry like BMW. I have used Mobil 1 for years in all my bike's and now have Rotella T6 synthetic in my 87 and never had a clutch problem in any of them, could be something else but I would say the oil. Bob