Trans, Gear & Shaft oil

[stagewex]

I introduced some Chevron Fuel System Cleaner (with Techron) to my full tank of gas and went for a 175 mile ride yesterday primarily to burn a few gallons of it prior to an oil change. Actually rode up to Max BMW in Brookfield, CT. to pick up some crush washers. They always have a lot of nice restored voltage bikes on their showroom floor. What a glorious riding day and the r60/2 didn't miss a beat. A pleasure to own and especially ride. When I got home I dropped the oil and replaced with Valvoline VR1 40 specifically because of the ZDDP factor. Even though I usually use Castrol GTX in my other bikes I've been reading a lot about this oil and blend and since this is my first oil change I figured why not.

Later today I was going to change the trans, final drive and shaft oil. The old manual says use 90w. I have some Valvoline 90w-80w from my r1100rt and I also use it in the Ural final drive. Can I use a 90w-80w "blend" or should I go get some straight 90w at Autozone?

[schrader7032]

What year/VIN of the bike? Has the transmission ever apart? So the manual says 90w "gear" oil? Can't see as that would be motor oil with that high of a viscosity.

I ask about the year as there was a service bulletin that indicated prior to a specific engine number, only motor oil (like 40w) should be used. But after that, a hypoid gear oil could be used. It had to do with seals that were replaced at that time.

If the manual if recommending a gear oil, an 80w90 would be fine.

[stagewex]

1969 r60/2 US model.
VIN 1817877
22612 documented miles as of yesterdays oil change. Un-restored, slingers cleaned/serviced... unknown at this time.

I think but not 100% sure the manual did say hypoid but I'm not home right now so can't confirm that till later. But the 80-90 that I have at home is hypoid.

Owners Manual sometimes generalize when they cover different models. Mine covers r50, r60 & r69. However it has been pretty accurate so far. The thought I had was perhaps they didn't have 80-90 Hypoid blend back then? It's not big deal to get the straight 90 if there was a real reason for that.

As far as I know this motor, trans and final drive have never been apart.

[schrader7032]

Your bike is good to go with hypoid oil. One thing that you might want to consider is the use of GL4 instead of the more common GL5. The reason that has been written about is the higher content of sulphur in the GL5 brands that can attach yellow metal in the transmission and/or final drive. Vech discusses it here:

http://www.benchmarkworks.com/articles/ ... aroil.html

I'm not sure I think it is that big of a deal...I don't hear of thousands of /2s sitting by the side of the road because of this problem. But to be on the safe side, using GL4 might be warranted. Note also that 40w engine oil and 90w gear oil have about the same viscosity levels. Hypoid oil provides advantages that engine oil doesn't. I know I use GL4 in my R25/2...looks like I'm using 80w90 in my R69S

[stagewex]

I read the write-up by Vech and also the reviews from buyer of GL-4 on Amazon. Interesting how many people are aware of this for a wide variety of machinery, not just old bikes. I'm going to forgo the trans, FD and shaft fluid change until I received the CRC I just ordered from Amazon and that will be the product used from now on.

Here's the link. Check out comments.

http://www.amazon.com/CRC-SL24229-GL-4- ... API%2FGL-4

[schrader7032]

That's the product that Vech sells, although his website says 80w90 but my bottles says 85w90. Vech has it for $10 a bottle plus his shipping costs.

[jb_supermoto]

NAPA has it as well for about $15 a gallon. Ok, well, 4 liters..

[stagewex]

I received the GL-4 CRC-Sta-Lube on Tuesday but didn't have time to change the fluids until today. The trans and final drive didn't look that bad and must have been changed by the previous owner within the last year. But the "swinging-arm" (swing arm) was way low and dirty. I'm glad I checked and changed it. Doesn't look like it had been taken care of for a long, long time. What a pain-in-the-butt putting gear oil in that little hole. I was using just the top of the container as a mini funnel but had to hold it up a bit with my fingers since it apparently sits right on the shaft if you don't. Seemed to take forever. Went for a nice ride and then parked it in the garage for a bit. No leaks so I'm happy. I used all new crush washers though the used ones didn't look too bad. Going to a Bikes & Coffee event tomorrow morning so spent the rest of the day cleaning and polishing. She's a happy steed.

[smmotor]

Sta-Lube Gear oil SAE85-90 GL4 Hypoid 1 gallon from NAPA for $24.99
NAPA part # SL24239

[808Airhead]

I have been using the Valvoline synthetic with good results,the 80-90w stuff. Everything shifting and working great.