checking middle drive oil with no dip stick

[yamaphil]

Hey, how does a person check the middle drive oil if you don't have a dip or miss placed it. Have anybody used royal purple oil? I just put ams oil 20W40 oil in my 78 xs 1100 and it seems to be treating well. thanks for help

[DGXSER]

To check middle and final drive oil, I used a piece of paper and measured from the top of the oil line in the paper to the top of the drive just like the dipstick would. There is a tech tip on making the dipstick, it gives the dimensions from the top of the drive to the fluid level.

[trbig]

If in doubt.. filler'up. Any XS will get blown out of the vent.


Tod

[madmax-im]

If in doubt.. filler'up. Any XS will get blown out of the vent.


Tod

+1 on that..its better to have way more than you need than to have too little...if the middle or final drive goes dry while you are running down the road...it could be a catastrophic failure and lock up on you...thus sending you to some impending doom...

[CatatonicBug]

Hey, how does a person check the middle drive oil if you don't have a dip or miss placed it. Have anybody used royal purple oil? I just put ams oil 20W40 oil in my 78 xs 1100 and it seems to be treating well. thanks for help

I used the tech tip to cut a new dipstick out of lexan, and I keep it in the toolbox under the seat. I believe you can still get them from Yamaha too, for under $10. Did you mean to say that you put 20W40 in the Middle drive?? I hope not. You need actual gear oil (most use synthetic here). I have read mixed reviews on the purple stuff, so I just go with normal stuff.

[yamaphil]

20w40 in the engine, not the middle drive. I used 10w40 last year and I found that my bike was running a lillte hot, and the heavier oil its seems to a lil cooler and a lil better on gas. thanks for you advice

[Crazcnuk]

Just drain it all out, put in the measured amount.

Then watch ebay for a dipstick for the next time you want to check it.

[red bandit]

Bike Bandit used to have dip sticks for about $3.50. Don't know if they still do.

[DESTRO]

Bike Bandit still lists them under;

SIDE COVER - TOOL

For a 1981(and maybe the others) the part number is 22811-001 $6.80

#46:
GAUGE,OIL LEVEL
(FOR MIDDLE AND FINAL GEAR CASE) [GAUGE,OIL LEVEL]

[motoman]

I'm using 20-50w Vavoline in motor, Royal Purple in middle drive and final drive. Did notice that wine from drives is almost non-existant.

[yamaphil]

yeah, I just found out that they sold royal purple in NAPA my city and I was wondering how well it works. Thanks for your advice.

[Ivan]

Tod and I do the same method. If you fill the middle drive and final drive with the bike on the side stand, it doesn't overfill it too much. a bit of seepage and in a couple of days the car wash will take it off.

[mstic2000]

I just printed out the dipstick from here and then just used a popsickle stick (same length) and marked it off.

[randy]

Hey, mstic2000, took a look at your photos. What's that you have going on with the rear brake? Looks like an interesting mod, care to share it with us?

[mstic2000]

Hey, mstic2000, took a look at your photos. What's that you have going on with the rear brake? Looks like an interesting mod, care to share it with us?

PO installed a 1986 GSXR1100 rear brake caliper. Little bit better rear brake than the original. I still have the original I might switch back if I decide to go back to completely stock.