Mineral oil in clutch? What kind?

[fire1998]

Blew the oring around the outside of the slave cylnder and lost all my oil. Reservoir says mineral oil only. There definitely was not mineral oil in it, as the oil was blue in color. Can I just use Johnsons Baby oil? What else would you suggest?
Thanks

 

[Dirtdame]

I use Magura Blood. It's red and it's what came stock in my KTM, so I just kept using it when I switched to Husqvarna.

 

[7point62]

I think what they mean is "Don't put brake fluid in here!" (as it won't agree with the seals).

Many discussions have taken place on the subject - you can use Magura Blood (which I believe can be blue and about 7.5 wt), or 5wt fork oil, or sewing machine oil, or 3 in 1 (general purpose oil in a little can that old folks use for lubricating hinges on doors and whatnot). Thin is good as the oilways are small.

Gun oil is not good as it often contains phosphoric acic rust inhibitors which don't agree with aluminium, but apart from that any thin mineral oil will do. I've used left over 5wt fork oil and latterly 3 in 1 (because it's thin, cheap and comes in a can with a little spout).

I'm sure there will be as many preferences stated here as there are pebbles on a beach. Most of them will be ok. I'm not sure about baby oil though...

 

[ray_ray]

I'm just using straight mineral oil off the shelf ... baby oil might work in a pinch but I'd go with the straight stuff when possible ... ATF might work also ...

 

[ScottyR]

Just about anything other than brake fluid will work. I personally use 2.5W fork oil. Magura Blood is way too expensive up here.

 

[ray_ray]

For those of you who has used different oils, can you tell much difference in the feel of the pull of the lever or action of the clutch with different type oils?

 

[Ruffus]

I use Mobil 1 synthetic ATF. Didn't notice any difference from the factory oil that was in it.

 

[Joe Chod]

Use mineral oil from any pharmacy. It is found in the laxative section. Just saying as it is NOT where you think in the store. When I bought some....asked pharmacist (chemist to you from across the pond) and he said "we have things better than that"....not thinking I said "like what?" still thinking about my clutch. He then asked some starnge questions to ask a guy re-doing his clutch and more oriented to a person who had not gone in a while....I told him it was for a bike clutch and he said "no reason to be embarrassed" and he "could not help if I did not tell him the severity and duration". At this point I flatly told him I was fine and what is the purpose of his bizzare questions....bottom line...I knew as little about the fact that is an olf fashioned laxative as he knew it was a suitable fluid for a hydraulic clutch on the bikes!

Joe

 

[ray_ray]

Interesting story ... Apparently the body needs it for lube also ...

Its just a low grade oil ... and drinkable?

 

[Colo moto]

Singer sewing machine oil in my clutches. Super thin/lightweight, and super cheap.

 

[ray_ray]

Nice to hear! I have that stuff in the outer chambers of my Marzocchi forks

 

[john01]

Our local NAPA sell German (in a green can) mineral oil and it not very expensive at all.

 

[Dirtdame]

Our local NAPA sell German (in a green can) mineral oil and it not very expensive at all.

Sounds like a good thing. I'll have to go check out my local Napa and see if they carry it also.

 

[Troy F Collins]

Use mineral oil from any pharmacy. It is found in the laxative section. Just saying as it is NOT where you think in the store. When I bought some....asked pharmacist (chemist to you from across the pond) and he said "we have things better than that"....not thinking I said "like what?" still thinking about my clutch. He then asked some starnge questions to ask a guy re-doing his clutch and more oriented to a person who had not gone in a while....I told him it was for a bike clutch and he said "no reason to be embarrassed" and he "could not help if I did not tell him the severity and duration". At this point I flatly told him I was fine and what is the purpose of his bizzare questions....bottom line...I knew as little about the fact that is an olf fashioned laxative as he knew it was a suitable fluid for a hydraulic clutch on the bikes!

Joe

That must be why the mineral oil bottle I have says "GANGWAY" on the side....

I bought a bottle of magura blood at the dealer....its the horses mouth stuff..but yes it pricey

 

[hamiltonuh60]

I use baby mineral oil as it's clutch pull is super easy and it has a distinct smell.

 

[Dirtdame]

I use baby mineral oil as it's clutch pull is super easy and it has a distinct smell.

So....does your clutch smell like a little baby?

 

[robertaccio]

FYI on top of all the other personal choices, I use Motorex or Magura
Motorex http://motorexusa.com/prod_detail.asp?id=35

Magura http://www.competitivecyclist.com/m...&utm_medium=Google+Base&utm_campaign=Datafeed