Oil checking... middle and final gear oil?

[datter]

hey all, I'm pretty near to trying to start my 1981 'H but am a bit paranoid about oil. In reading the manual I find reference to not only the main engine oil but also the middle gear oil and the final gear oil. Not come across that on previous bikes, that I can recall anyway.

The main oil level is fine as checked through the little window on the bottom of the engine. The manual says to check the middle and final gear oil through the oil filler hole (I believe?)... with a special tool that unfortunately I don't have.

Can someone run down exactly how I should check the level for these two (middle and final), and if there is any way to do this when you don't have the "special tool". Also, what sort of oil is best in there, should I need to add some?

Thanks,
David

[datter]

hmm, on looking around this site a bit I found these instructions on how to make a replacement dipstick, which is great. Having left having left my clymers at the office and only stuck with bad photo copies of the original manual, I'm not 100% confident about where the middle/final needs to be checked.

Strange perhaps, but any help is appreciated.

David

[underdog57]

the middle gear drain is at the bottom of the middle drive . It is tricky to find I thought at first . hunt for it to the mid rear of the unit ...

the rear drive is easy , big drain plug .. you might have the plug covering the allen for the fill on . dont mistake the vent ...

your tool or caliper goes on the top of the fill plug hole ...

I hope you drain and put new oil in ...

Its gear oil , I used synthetic 80/90 castrol ....

Any questions , will try to help

Bob

[datter]

ok, I found them after some poking around. Will check it all out after making a dipstick prior to my first attempt at firing this beast up.

Thanks

[underdog57]

One quart of oil is more then enough ...
Happy trails !!

Bob

[skids]

I am sure that Bob does not mean to say "put a quart in there"!!!

Originally posted by underdog57
One quart of oil is more then enough ...
Happy trails !!

Bob

[underdog57]

Originally posted by skids
I am sure that Bob does not mean to say "put a quart in there"!!!

I'm positive "Bob " does not want a full quart used ..Ha ha
A quart should be enough for thee XS's
It only takes ounces to do the job ..

Gotta be carefull how things get worded I see , lol
More is not better in this instance !!

Bob

[John]

Be sure you can remove the fill plugs before you pull the drain plugs. The mid gear will take 10 oz of gear oil, and although the book say the final drive takes 10 oz also, it won't. I can olny get about 6 oz in mine. I just fill the F/D to just below the bottom of the threads in the fill hole. I use a synthetic gear oil also.

[alaskey2]

how do you fill the Final Drive? Does the top bolt just screw off by hand or is this a cover on it?

[jetmechmarty]

You're looking at the vent. The fill port is at the back. It's at about the 3 o'clock position as you look at it.

[DiverRay]

DO use synthetic gear oil, but use the 80-140, NOT the 70-90. I may be off a bit on the first number, but you want the wider spread on the viscosity with synthetics. Dino oil use the 70-90, but change every 6K miles.

[alaskey2]

Well Marty, that explains why I couldn't get the sucker off!! Thanks

[Chddff1982]

How many quarts does the motor take? This bike has set for a while before I got it. Going to change all of the fluids before trying to start it.

[bikerphil]

About 3 3/4 quarts with the filter change.

[DEEBS11]

This is what the tool looks like.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/11580084869...Bk9SR56Z04O3Yg