Oil checking... middle and final gear oil?

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  • datter
    XSive
    • Feb 2007
    • 78
    • Nova Scotia, Canada

    #1

    Oil checking... middle and final gear oil?

    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
    Rebuilt 1981 XS1100 H
    My story
  • datter
    XSive
    • Feb 2007
    • 78
    • Nova Scotia, Canada

    #2
    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
    Rebuilt 1981 XS1100 H
    My story

    Comment

    • underdog57
      XStremely XSive
      • Jul 2006
      • 321
      • Alburgh , Vermont,054

      #3
      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
      1979 XS1100 SPECIAL (under 18,000 miles Sold 5/12/2016
      1982 XJ1100 MAXIM(PARTS BIKE??)shows 14,000 miles ??? Up for sale whole or parts

      Comment

      • datter
        XSive
        • Feb 2007
        • 78
        • Nova Scotia, Canada

        #4
        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
        Rebuilt 1981 XS1100 H
        My story

        Comment

        • underdog57
          XStremely XSive
          • Jul 2006
          • 321
          • Alburgh , Vermont,054

          #5
          One quart of oil is more then enough ...
          Happy trails !!

          Bob
          1979 XS1100 SPECIAL (under 18,000 miles Sold 5/12/2016
          1982 XJ1100 MAXIM(PARTS BIKE??)shows 14,000 miles ??? Up for sale whole or parts

          Comment

          • skids
            XS-XJ Super Guru
            • Jul 2002
            • 5046
            • Florissant, CO, USA

            #6
            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
            Skids (Sid Hansen)

            Down to one 1978 E. Stock air box with K&N filter, 81H pipes and carbs, 8500 feet elevation.

            Comment

            • underdog57
              XStremely XSive
              • Jul 2006
              • 321
              • Alburgh , Vermont,054

              #7
              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
              1979 XS1100 SPECIAL (under 18,000 miles Sold 5/12/2016
              1982 XJ1100 MAXIM(PARTS BIKE??)shows 14,000 miles ??? Up for sale whole or parts

              Comment

              • John
                XS-XJ Super Guru
                • Oct 2003
                • 5117

                #8
                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.

                Comment

                • alaskey2
                  XStremely XSive
                  • Apr 2014
                  • 271
                  • 60940

                  #9
                  how do you fill the Final Drive? Does the top bolt just screw off by hand or is this a cover on it?
                  78 E

                  Comment

                  • jetmechmarty
                    Master of XSology
                    • Nov 2003
                    • 7764
                    • Coldwater, Mississippi

                    #10
                    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.

                    Marty (in Mississippi)
                    XS1100SG
                    XS650SK
                    XS650SH
                    XS650G
                    XS6502F
                    XS650E

                    Comment

                    • DiverRay
                      Moderator
                      • Nov 2004
                      • 7602
                      • Star, IDAHO

                      #11
                      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.
                      Ray Matteis
                      KE6NHG
                      XS1100 E '78 (winter project)
                      XS1100 SF Bob Jones worked on it!

                      Comment

                      • alaskey2
                        XStremely XSive
                        • Apr 2014
                        • 271
                        • 60940

                        #12
                        Well Marty, that explains why I couldn't get the sucker off!! Thanks
                        78 E

                        Comment

                        • Chddff1982
                          New
                          • Jul 2023
                          • 1
                          • Missouri

                          #13
                          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.

                          Comment

                          • bikerphil
                            Master of XSology
                            • Jan 2008
                            • 8631
                            • South Flori-DUH

                            #14
                            About 3 3/4 quarts with the filter change.
                            2H7 (79) owned since '89
                            3H3 owned since '06

                            "If it ain't broke, modify it"

                            Comment

                            • DEEBS11
                              XS-XJ Guru
                              • Feb 2023
                              • 1388
                              • Connecticut

                              #15
                              This is what the tool looks like.


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