Silly Question - Gear Case

[Das Disco]

Hey guys, i have another silly question. I am learning more about my bike every day but i had a question regarding the gear case.


I am guessing that unlike some other motorcycles, the engine oil you fill the bike with is also used in the gear case and lubes the clutch yes? There is no seperate gear case filler and drain?

I know of the shaft drive oil but just in the shaft.

The reason i ask is because i want to run Amsoil but on my manual, the gear case oil specs are supposed to be rated API 4 -5.

But on their website:

"Not recommended where an API GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil is required."

Can anyone please elabortate a bit for me

[ksblaster]

Check
this
out: http://finalube.com/reference_materi...Categories.htm

By the way, I always get my bikes from a salvage and rebuild them. I never "wear them out" or blow them up. I doubt that you will either unless you overheat your cycle and you prevent this not your lubrication. You will probably discover a new motorcycle in a couple of years and trade or sell your current one to get the new one. I use Castrol 20-40 Syntec in my Meanstreak with a Pint of 70/80 weight synthetic gear lube from WalMart. I put 10 weight auto transmission fluid in my forks. In the last four years my rebuilds (1 each year) have been a KLR650, 05-Sportster, 06-R1100S-BMW, my current 08-Meanstreak. Don't look at it+++Drive it...............................

[Comanche]

Originally Posted by Das Disco

Hey guys, i have another silly question. I am learning more about my bike every day but i had a question regarding the gear case.


I am guessing that unlike some other motorcycles, the engine oil you fill the bike with is also used in the gear case and lubes the clutch yes? There is no seperate gear case filler and drain?

I know of the shaft drive oil but just in the shaft.

The reason i ask is because i want to run Amsoil but on my manual, the gear case oil specs are supposed to be rated API 4 -5.

But on their website:

"Not recommended where an API GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil is required."

Can anyone please elabortate a bit for me

Affirmative on the wet clutch. Metrics Manufacturers created JASO since API wasn't good enough for them with respect to motorcycles. GL according to specs means gear oil type applications and not transmission oil specs and they are not the same as engine/motor oil specs which is why that caution you are referring to is addressed and pointed out to the consumer. As long as you have a wet clutch system then any modern motorcycle oil applicable to your environment operating temperatures will work.

Here is a previous thread addressing Rotella, JASO etc.

http://www.vulcanforums.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=31804

Read about all of these differences if you want but it's pretty boring stuff. Stick to the quality synthetic for motorcycles and you will always be fine.

http://www.oilspecifications.org/jaso.php

http://www.widman.biz/uploads/Transaxle_oil.pdf

http://www.lubrizol.com/DrivelineAdd...arOil/GL5.html

This is from Amsoil's site:

Advanced multi-functional formula for both domestic and foreign motorcycles. Recommended for high-performance liquid or air-cooled 4-stroke engines and transmissions and both 4- and 2-stroke motorcycles. Wet-clutch compatible. Not recommended where an API GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil is required.

[Das Disco]

Originally Posted by Comanche

Affirmative on the wet clutch. Metrics Manufacturers created JASO since API wasn't good enough for them with respect to motorcycles. GL according to specs means gear oil type applications and not transmission oil specs and they are not the same as engine/motor oil specs which is why that caution you are referring to is addressed and pointed out to the consumer. As long as you have a wet clutch system then any modern motorcycle oil applicable to your environment operating temperatures will work.

Here is a previous thread addressing Rotella, JASO etc.

http://www.vulcanforums.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=31804

Read about all of these differences if you want but it's pretty boring stuff. Stick to the quality synthetic for motorcycles and you will always be fine.

http://www.oilspecifications.org/jaso.php

http://www.widman.biz/uploads/Transaxle_oil.pdf

http://www.lubrizol.com/DrivelineAdd...arOil/GL5.html

This is from Amsoil's site:

Advanced multi-functional formula for both domestic and foreign motorcycles. Recommended for high-performance liquid or air-cooled 4-stroke engines and transmissions and both 4- and 2-stroke motorcycles. Wet-clutch compatible. Not recommended where an API GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil is required.

Thank you sir! Also to everyone else who posted, your help is appreciated.


I went to the Kawasaki dealer and they tried to sell me some Honda motor oil that cost like 50 bucks :/

Going to order Amsoil (my dad is a dealer )

[Comanche]

Originally Posted by Das Disco

Thank you sir! Also to everyone else who posted, your help is appreciated.


I went to the Kawasaki dealer and they tried to sell me some Honda motor oil that cost like 50 bucks :/

Going to order Amsoil (my dad is a dealer )

No sweat friend. We all are here to help each other. BTW, would or could your dad sell to us if we wanted to buy some and if so how much? PM me if affirmative.

[ksblaster]

I get to go places cause I didn't spend my money on $15.00 a quart motor oil.

[Das Disco]

Is there an Amsoil dealer on the forum? I dont want to step on anyones toes but i would love to help out the old man and have him join. He is about to buy new bike.

[MN-Rider]

Yes this forum does have a Amsoil (Site Supporter) vendor who is authorized to market in these forums. Bob is great to deal with and offers a great forum discount.

Link to Amsoil Bob

[whoaru99]

Originally Posted by Das Disco

Hey guys, i have another silly question. I am learning more about my bike every day but i had a question regarding the gear case.


I am guessing that unlike some other motorcycles, the engine oil you fill the bike with is also used in the gear case and lubes the clutch yes? There is no seperate gear case filler and drain?

I know of the shaft drive oil but just in the shaft.

The reason i ask is because i want to run Amsoil but on my manual, the gear case oil specs are supposed to be rated API 4 -5.

But on their website:

"Not recommended where an API GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil is required."

Can anyone please elabortate a bit for me

I'm not clear what you're asking. Are you asking about the engine/transmission oil, or the shaft drive gearbox/final drive oil?

If you are asking about the engine/transmission then Amsoil motorcycle oil is perfectly fine to use.

If you are asking about the shaft drive gearbox/final drive then Amsoil motorcycle oil is not acceptable because it doesn't meet the final drive oil spec.