Changing gearbox and final drive oil question

[MasterDabber]

Just want to check that my understanding is correct on these oil changes.... on an 1150.
I should run the bike for a few miles to get the oil at normal operating temperature... say about 5 to 10 miles?

Put the bike on level ground on the centrestand.

Remove oil filler plug, then remove oil drain plug... then refit oil drain plug with a new washer.

Now to the real question....
Should I then refill using a measured amount... 1litre for the gearbox and 0.25 litres for the final drive.
OR
Should I simply fill until the oil comes level with the bottom of the filler holes?

Any other advice???
Thanks Derek

 

[(RIP) maverick]

The gearbox is less than a liter more like 800 ml.

I normally drain the oil. Fit new washers and tighten the drain plugs to their specs.

Fill the bevel drive up to the 1st bottom thread of the filler hole. In neutral spin the wheel by hand a few times forward for the oil to get everywhere. If it has dropped fill it a bit more.

The gearbox you also fill untill the oil starts seeping out from the filler plug. Go for a short ride i.e. 2 miles and recheck the levels.

Will check the proper amounts tonight..

 

[MasterDabber]

Thanks Maverick...

Some good advice there.. especially the bit about spinning the wheel by hand.
I rechecked the Repair Manual (the downloadable version) and also checked in the Service and Technical Booklet and they both say the gearbox capacity is 1 litre.

 

[cookie]

not all of it will come out.

 

[MasterDabber]

not all of it will come out.

Thanks... that makes sense...
theoretically 1Litre but around 0.8 unless refilling after a gearbox strip down or similair,

 

[Steptoe]

undo the filler plugs before you drain the oil --

in case they're seized, and you won't be left in the doo-doo ---

just fill them to the level/filler holes

 

[Vendome 41]

undo the filler plugs before you drain the oil --

in case they're seized, and you won't be left in the doo-doo ---

just fill them to the level/filler holes

And helps with a clean flow of oil.

 

[MasterDabber]

Thanks for the advice.. all very useful

Now... the final question....
What oil should I use. The spec says SAE 90, GL 5

Any particular recommendations?

 

[Mick O'Malley]

MD

IMHO, unless you do 12k per season, or plan to change it winter/summer, you'd be better off using 80/90.

I did mine yesterday having ridden in -10c to +40c in the last 12k and both lots came out looking and feeling good as new. Only the tiniest amount of minute metal particles on either drain plug as well.

Mick

 

[Jimb]

Masterdabber

Use Fully synthetic gear oil 75w90 to GL5 spec, either Mobil1 gear oil or Rock Fully Synth 75W90 GL5, or any fully synthetic gear oil of GL5 spec, you will find the gearbox becomes noticably better, change the gerabox oil every 12K and the final drive every 6K, the final drive is under extreme pressure and for the amount of oil in it its better to change it more frequently than the schedule recommends.

HTH

 

[Den]

There has been recent debate about synthetic oil maybe being the cause of rear drive failure. Dont know if there is any truth in this, but just thought I would mention it.

Tip.... A 1 litre bottle of oil will not quite be enough for a gearbox and final drive oil change. Leave a wee bit old oil in the box. Cant do it any harm surely.
Thats what I did.............................. Whats that strange noise !!!!

 

[Iain Hogg]

Leave a wee bit old oil in the box. Cant do it any harm surely.
Thats what I did.............................. Whats that strange noise !!!!

Cheapskate

 

[Mouse]

A related question, if I may...

I know the 1200 has a "sealed for life" final drive, but is it still recommended to change the gearbox oil? Not really having any problems with mine, but I thought I might put some posh oil in to see if it makes a difference.

 

[cookie]

i usually change the oil in VW "sealed for life" gearboxes after about 100,000 miles.

can perk them up no end.

 

[MasterDabber]

Any views on using Castrol MTX Gear and final drive oil... Fully synthetic and rated SAE 75W - 140.
It seems to be one of the ones BWM recommend.

 

[Steptoe]

A related question, if I may...

I know the 1200 has a "sealed for life" final drive, but is it still recommended to change the gearbox oil?

think about it !!

sealed for life ?

thats a way of saying sealed till it goes wrong

New mercedes auto gearboxs are sealed for life, they're going wrong around 80K miles - merdedes say "well thats the life we expect from them"