Mid/Final Drive Oil

[MPittma100]

Yamaha service/owner manual suggests 80W oil for the drives. I found a Redline product that is 80W. It is a synthetic blend. Redline part number is 42704. Not readily available in stores, but is online at several places.

Has anyone used this oil?

[jetmechmarty]

Mike,

Why mess with success? 75W140 Mobil 1 or Royal Purple works great. I'm not switching.

[motoman]

Being a synthetic oil, 75-140w IS equivalent to 80# conventional HP oils.
80# synthetic does NOT have the needed 'cling' factor, therefore, more heat, which is from MORE friction WILL eventually result. Have noted a couple cases where final drive/lube end results were not good, especially on LD rides. Both had used 80# synthetic of high quality.

[DiverRay]

I've used 70/140 Redline for the past ...years. In all my machines it works, and the final drive does NOT get as hot as it did with ANY 80W.

[BA80]

75w140 full synthetic is what's used in those touchy Ford truck diffs. That's why I started using it. If it can keep those from grenading it's good for ANYTHING.

Been using it for years without issue. Change it out every spring.

[motoman]

Very true BA80, as my F-350 diesel's differential is tagged specifically for 75-140w synthetic.

[motoman]

To original reference, I found from testing differences real world by riding Interstate 70 west 130mi. to Green River, Utah, checking diff. temp. using infared. Then, returning home, changed final drive lube(80# conven.), replacing with Royal Purple 75-140w synthetic lube. Rode same Interstate run again, same ambient outside temps(102F). Checked final dr. temp. at same stop/turn around. The synthetic 75-140w allowed final drive to run those constant interstate speeds 15deg.F cooler. Less friction= less heat.

[Bonz]

What was the temp of the FD housing when you checked it? 15 deg is a difference for sure, just wondering if it’s between 155 and 140 deg, or 215 and 200, that kind of thing.

I ran 75w140 syn in the XS based on what I read (same info, you had done a temp comparison) from another post you made years ago Brant. No need for anything else, IMO.

[motoman]

What was the temp of the FD housing when you checked it? 15 deg is a difference for sure, just wondering if it’s between 155 and 140 deg, or 215 and 200, that kind of thing.

I ran 75w140 syn in the XS based on what I read (same info, you had done a temp comparison) from another post you made years ago Brant. No need for anything else, IMO.

That testing was done some 5-7yrs. back. So that combined with 'old age'n' treachery'.......CRS Bonz. I just know, that difference in temp. readings more than convinced me those lower final drive temps. using 75-140w synthetic lube oil as opposed to conventional EP 80# was a result of less gear/bearing friction. I also use the same syn. in middle drive. Basicly just sayin', the use of syn. lube of the 80# variety instead of 75-140w syn. WILL eventually create bearing/gear issues that are not good!

[skids]

(snip)Basicly just sayin', the use of syn. lube of the 80# variety instead of 75-140w syn. WILL eventually create bearing/gear issues that are not good!

Just wondering...Does the final drive liquid even touch the bearings?

[MPittma100]

Final Drive Oil

Just wondering...Does the final drive liquid even touch the bearings?

Yes, it touches the bearings within the final drive assembly.

https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/ya...0g/drive-shaft

[skids]

Yes, it touches the bearings within the final drive assembly.

https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/ya...0g/drive-shaft

Ha! Of course there are bearings in there. I don't know what I was thinking, or NOT.

[Bonz]

Skids, you gonna bring that shaft drive ST 1300 of yours to the Colorado rally again this summer?

[skids]

I don't know of the rally yet. Both of my xs11's seem to be running fine now and I might bring one of those.

[Bonz]

Ok... You live in Colorado... Retired... live an hour from the rally site... Rally info is in the Southwest section.

Hope you can make it!