Final Drive oil

[czarwolf]

Hello all

I know there are plenty of posts out there already in reference to the final drive oil and everyone has a preference, But this is my first time ever changing the gear oil in anything beyond a scooter and even then we used a heavy semi / dumptruck based gear oil because we had it in surplus and no one would tell me what goes in a Chinese scooter . But this is my main transpo and I want to keep her going as long as possible. Can I use Valvoline 80w-90 gear oil? Does it have to be synthetic? Its rated at API GL 5, GL 4 according to auto zone.

 

[kiltman]

You can use that, no worries. I do an overkill....I change it every time I do an oil change. A litre bottle will get you through about 8 changes, so in the grand scheme of things it’s not too expensive. Then you can use dyno oil as you’re changing it often. The other bonus is you can check the oil for metal filings more frequently and address an issue promptly. Having said that, I haven’t had those issues....on my Suzuki Madura that was a major potential problem, I blame that bike on my current habit.

 

[SMSW]

Be very careful on the fill and drain plugs on the Honda. They are hollow and are easily broken if you over torque them. Consider replacing the o-ring after a few changes. I think someone said that Honda's old valve adjustment covers are the same size as the fill plug, should you break yours.

 

[Rob20111]

Make sure you undo the filler plug before you open the drain plug. If the filler is seized or gets shredded you still have oil in the fd until you can get the filler issue rectified. If you already drained the oil and can't open the filler you'll have to turn the bike upside down to re fill.

 

[Al st1100]

do it hot. after a ride . It's thick cold.

 

[bstig60]

You can use that, no worries. I do an overkill....I change it every time I do an oil change. A litre bottle will get you through about 8 changes, so in the grand scheme of things it’s not too expensive. Then you can use dyno oil as you’re changing it often. The other bonus is you can check the oil for metal filings more frequently and address an issue promptly. Having said that, I haven’t had those issues....on my Suzuki Madura that was a major potential problem, I blame that bike on my current habit.

Overkill for sure... The service manual recommends changing the final drive oil every 3 years or 24000 miles.

 

[dwalby]

When I did my first change I talked to the owner of Maxima Oils, he said change it once with synthetic and forget it. I've kept the bike longer than I first expected, so over 21 years and 113k miles I've changed it twice.

 

[Bush]

For the small cost difference over time - and the much longer drain intervals needed - just put a synthetic gear oil in there. Castro Syntec 75W- 90 is one to consider as well. Definitely do not recommend changing with every engine oil change. Total waste of time and money.

 

[czarwolf]

For the small cost difference over time - and the much longer drain intervals needed - just put a synthetic gear oil in there. Castro Syntec 75W- 90 is one to consider as well. Definitely do not recommend changing with every engine oil change. Total waste of time and money.

Anything special have to be done to switch to Synth? Like does it have to be drained to the bone dry level because the two oils wont mix or some such?

 

[fnmag]

Nothing special needs to be done.
Simply drain out the old gear oil and add the synthetic.
If there is some old gear oil still in it won't harm the ST.

 

[red one]

My motorcycles favorite liquid is Honda Hypoid 80W/90 gear oil. $4.00 at the Honda dealer. I do as many others here. Rear end gets changed every 4 years.

 

[czarwolf]

My motorcycles favorite liquid is Honda Hypoid 80W/90 gear oil. $4.00 at the Honda dealer. I do as many others here. Rear end gets changed every 4 years.

Now when you say honda dealer... do you mean Honda cycles or the dealership with all the cars

 

[red one]

Motorcycle Dealer. I buy my parts and oils from him and he gives me 15 percent off. But I get my coolant from the Honda car dealer. 1 Gallon cost me 20 dollars. This is just me but I prefer to use oem Honda parts on my machine.

 

[czarwolf]

Motorcycle Dealer. I buy my parts and oils from him and he gives me 15 percent off. But I get my coolant from the Honda car dealer. 1 Gallon cost me 20 dollars. This is just me but I prefer to use oem Honda parts on my machine.

Interesting! I will keep this in mind, Tomorrow is my shopping day for this weeks badge of goodies, My oil and fuel filter are arriving today in the mail, tomorrow ill be the FD oil, Then its just a matter of getting the hard stuff done once all my fluids are topped properly

 

[fnmag]

I also use the Honda car dealership for the anti-freeze.
It's about $20 a gallon but well worth it.

 

[Bush]

Anything special have to be done to switch to Synth? Like does it have to be drained to the bone dry level because the two oils wont mix or some such?

Already answered for you - no.

Bear in mind when shopping - Honda Hypoid 80W/90 gear oil - is not a synthetic oil. If you want the best, buy synthetic.

 

[st11ray]

Motorcycle Dealer. I buy my parts and oils from him and he gives me 15 percent off. But I get my coolant from the Honda car dealer. 1 Gallon cost me 20 dollars. This is just me but I prefer to use oem Honda parts on my machine.

You do know that Honda OEM lubes are some other brand that is packaged in a Honda bottle. As long as you use one that meets the specs you will be fine.

 

[red one]

You do know that Honda OEM lubes are some other brand that is packaged in a Honda bottle. As long as you use one that meets the specs you will be fine.

I know it says made in the usa. But the bottle that says Honda on it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

 

[SMSW]

Interesting! I will keep this in mind, Tomorrow is my shopping day for this weeks badge of goodies

I too buy my coolant from a Honda car dealership and oil from their motorcycle dealer. Call around and price this stuff, the anti freeze ranged in price from $19 to $30/gal at local Honda dealerships (mc was higher), and the GN4 costs me $20/g. Since dino oil at Walmart ranges from a few bucks less to a few more (yes, for 5 qts), I choose to feed my bike the Honda juice.

I know it says made in the usa. But the bottle that says Honda on it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

And that's what doing your own maintenance is all about. If it doesn't, you might as well go fishing... or do something that does.

 

[Andrew Shadow]

If you switch to synthetic it has superior cleaning abilities than the mineral does, and also because it sounds like this bike is new to you, change the oil, run it for a while with the synthetic to clean it out, drain it again and put some fresh synthetic in it and forget about it for a while.