Gear Oil for Airheads

[Sox Fan]

Curious what gear oil to use for my R90/6 for the transmission and final drive. I did a few searches and was surprised I didn't find much information.

[Joerg]

Originally Posted by Sox Fan

Curious what gear oil to use for my R90/6 for the transmission and final drive. I did a few searches and was surprised I didn't find much information.

RTFM? I mean, really, it's all written in the rider's manual ...

Factory specs are API GL5 (this is a "must have" since this means Hypoid oil), and a viscosity around SAE 80W-90. The brand does not matter as long as these specs are fulfilled.

[tennessee thumper]

Chopperman,

Right on, that is hilariously funny and true.

[Sox Fan]

Originally Posted by Joerg

RTFM? I mean, really, it's all written in the rider's manual ...

Factory specs are API GL5 (this is a "must have" since this means Hypoid oil), and a viscosity around SAE 80W-90. The brand does not matter as long as these specs are fulfilled.

Believe it or not, my 34 year old motorcycle didn't come with an owner's manual. I also thought maybe some things may have changed over the past few decades. Thanks for the info just the same.

[crazydrummerdude]

Go to OReillys. Find 80w90. Put it in your beemer. Let people tell you how wrong/cheap you are. Repeat.

[Sox Fan]

Originally Posted by crazydrummerdude

Go to OReillys. Find 80w90. Put it in your beemer. Let people tell you how wrong/cheap you are. Repeat.

LOL! I am one of those people who puts Castrol GTX from Wal Mart in my $20,000 RT so I am used to being called cheap and foolish.

[tennessee thumper]

From one drummer, just south of you in Mt. View, AR...to another, your take is tried and true. I can back it 100%!

[Joerg]

Hi,

Originally Posted by crazydrummerdude

Go to OReillys. Find 80w90. Put it in your beemer. Let people tell you how wrong/cheap you are. Repeat.

100% along the same line: I usually buy my gear oil in a shop nearby that carries farm accessories (for the Swiss that are reading along: Landi) ... it's a standard gear oil for tractors.

And yes, I get the same faces when comparing prices with the dedicated motorcycle shop

[Yarddog]

I went to my local brick & mortar Beemer shop. I asked them what I should use. They told me. I bought it. I put it in. No problems. Redline 85-90w synthetic or something like that...

[Infracaninophile]

I use 80/90 Synthetic but then add a dash of lemon and balsamic vinegar. It makes my hands smell nice while I'm changing it the next time.

T.

Originally Posted by Infracaninophile

I use 80/90 Synthetic but then add a dash of lemon and balsamic vinegar. It makes my hands smell nice while I'm changing it the next time.

T.

Try cinnamon and nutmeg sometime...makes your hands smell like fancy french toast.

I use Sta-Lub. It says Hypoid on it so that's what I used for 30+ years with no ill effects but it was GL4, the gears still look pristine (170,000 miles later). I bought the GL5 version this time around though so I'm expecting a few extra horses to make it to the wheel.

[Overdog]

Originally Posted by crazydrummerdude

Go to OReillys. Find 80w90. Put it in your beemer. Let people tell you how wrong/cheap you are. Repeat.

.....I dunno... I'd be really careful there. I put 80/90 in my airhead and a year later, the diode board went bad.

[Pink Floyd]

Red Line Shockproof Heavy

This stuff pours out like a strawberry milkshake. It is amazing how it coats and clings to the gears. It's expensive, but it's good oil and you only need a couple quarts to do the trans and final drive on an airhead so I think it's worth the price.

[Sox Fan]

Anyone know the meaning of the term "hypoid"? Found some 80w90 GL5 API gear oil at the local auto parts store.

Changed the transmission, final drive and driveshaft oil. Holy crap is the final drive easier to change on an airhead than a modern BMW.