Gear oil checking

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  • dbmb0416
    Truly XSive
    • Jun 2015
    • 128
    • Westdale Ny

    #1

    Gear oil checking

    Hey guys. What are your thoughts on intervals for checking levels on middle and rear gear oils. Before every ride? Before long ride? 100 miles?Have had problems with both and paranoid now and will probably check before every ride till paranoia goes away. Thanks
    79 XS11SF
  • TADracer
    XS-XJ Guru
    • May 2006
    • 1417
    • Kenner, Louisiana USA

    #2
    I do not think you should be losing any oil from final or middle gear. If the level keeps going down there is a prob. somewhere. I check mine at each oil change.
    Mike Giroir
    79 XS-1100 Special

    Once you un-can a can of worms, the only way to re-can them is with a bigger can.

    Comment

    • dbmb0416
      Truly XSive
      • Jun 2015
      • 128
      • Westdale Ny

      #3
      Middle leaks a little by gasket. Very little. Rear was completely empty with no leaks visible and it locked up last week. Changed out now and will be test driving this evening.
      79 XS11SF

      Comment

      • CatatonicBug
        Master of XSology
        • Oct 2008
        • 6117
        • Clinton, UT

        #4
        Yeah, I check at the oil change, to be sure I don't over-fill it. Other than that, I never feel the need to check it. If you're leaking from the middle or final drive, you have some issues to fix. Keep an eye on it, and if the level drops at all, it's time to take them apart and fix or just replace them. Plenty of folks who have switched to the 750/850 final drives probably have the originals laying around.
        1980 XS850SG - Sold
        1981 XS1100LH Midnight Special (Sold) - purchased 9/29/08
        Fully Vetterized and Dynojet Kit added, Heated Grips, Truck-Lite LED headlight, Accel Coils, Irridium plugs, TKAT Fork Brace, XS850LH Final Drive & Black SS Brake lines from Chacal.
        Here's my web page devoted to my bike! XS/XJ User's Manuals there, and the XJ1100 Service Manual and both XS1100 Service manuals (free download!).

        Whether you think you can, or you think you cannot - You're right.
        -H. Ford

        Comment

        • motoman
          Master of XSology
          • Aug 2005
          • 8413
          • Grand Junction, Colorado

          #5
          Originally posted by dbmb0416
          Middle leaks a little by gasket. Very little. Rear was completely empty with no leaks visible and it locked up last week. Changed out now and will be test driving this evening.
          Having it previously lock-up on ya' and then finding the drive empty, I'd be a bit apprehensive of it locking up while riding. Locking up could of partially been attributed to galling of bearings. May wanna be looking for a replacement final-drive.
          81H Venturer1100 "The Bentley" (on steroids) 97 Yamaha YZ250(age reducer) 92 Honda ST1100 "Twisty"(touring rocket) Age is relative to the number of seconds counted 'airing' out an 85ft. table-top.

          Comment

          • dbmb0416
            Truly XSive
            • Jun 2015
            • 128
            • Westdale Ny

            #6
            Been replaced. Had one I ordered on eBay.
            79 XS11SF

            Comment

            • DiverRay
              Moderator
              • Nov 2004
              • 7603
              • Star, IDAHO

              #7
              I would start checking before every ride for the first week or so. After that, once a week unless you notice something, and then on to every oil change. Be sure to use the 75/140 synthetic for the middle and final drive. They seem to run a lot cooler with it.
              Ray Matteis
              KE6NHG
              XS1100 E '78 (winter project)
              XS1100 SF Bob Jones worked on it!

              Comment

              • motoman
                Master of XSology
                • Aug 2005
                • 8413
                • Grand Junction, Colorado

                #8
                Originally posted by DiverRay
                I would start checking before every ride for the first week or so. After that, once a week unless you notice something, and then on to every oil change. Be sure to use the 75/140 synthetic for the middle and final drive. They seem to run a lot cooler with it.
                +1!.....that they do, as I've checked the difference with a laser beam thermo......less heat=less friction.
                81H Venturer1100 "The Bentley" (on steroids) 97 Yamaha YZ250(age reducer) 92 Honda ST1100 "Twisty"(touring rocket) Age is relative to the number of seconds counted 'airing' out an 85ft. table-top.

                Comment

                • dbmb0416
                  Truly XSive
                  • Jun 2015
                  • 128
                  • Westdale Ny

                  #9
                  Thanks guys. I checked before ride today. Only went 2 miles and only 30mph in third gear. It's got me skiddish from the lock up last Friday. I will check it tomorrow before taking her up to 55mph and to a Antique bike and car show. Putting her in.
                  79 XS11SF

                  Comment

                  • dbmb0416
                    Truly XSive
                    • Jun 2015
                    • 128
                    • Westdale Ny

                    #10
                    Over 150 miles and no leaks or problems. Found the leak on gear box as bolts needed to be retightened. Final drive level spot on. Now I get to enjoy her without worrying.
                    79 XS11SF

                    Comment

                    • motoman
                      Master of XSology
                      • Aug 2005
                      • 8413
                      • Grand Junction, Colorado

                      #11
                      Originally posted by dbmb0416
                      Over 150 miles and no leaks or problems. Found the leak on gear box as bolts needed to be retightened. Final drive level spot on. Now I get to enjoy her without worrying.
                      Sounds as if external leak was an easy fix.
                      81H Venturer1100 "The Bentley" (on steroids) 97 Yamaha YZ250(age reducer) 92 Honda ST1100 "Twisty"(touring rocket) Age is relative to the number of seconds counted 'airing' out an 85ft. table-top.

                      Comment

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