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Transmission and Rear Axle Oil for Oilheads
Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:28 pm
by HYPERR
What have you guys used in the tranny that yielded the smoothest shift? I use the BMW Gear Oil and it's ok but I want to try one of the fancier synthetic stuff. I have heard people swear by Royal Purple & Redline. Anyone try those before? I'm going to be doing the 24,000 mile service on my R1150R and would like your opinions on what to put in the tranny and the rear axle.
Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 3:59 am
by HYPERR
Anyone? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller...Bueller....Bueller....
How about guys with Big Twin Harleys? What do you guys use in your trannys other than HD or Screamin' Eagle?
Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 5:48 am
by slimcolo
All mine are Airheads, so I still use GL4, not GL5 or synth. Use only GL4 on all pre-para BMWs. (GL5 and most syn. oils are NOT compatable with yellow metals inc brass and bronze, also may cause problems with older seals)
On HD I use M/F or Belray tranny lube. Or as a stand by I use motor oil. (as recommended by HD)
Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 5:51 am
by HYPERR
Slim, have you heard any feedbacks on the Redline or Royal Purple synthetic in the Oilhead tranny and para-axles?
Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 6:14 am
by slimcolo
I have heard good things about the Purple in motors but have heard nothing about it in Tranny or para. I would ask question on one of the BMW fourms like BMW MOA or IBMWR or one of the Yahoo groups.(these get model specific)
All my Beemers are Airheads, the newer ones use GL4 and older one uses "a quality non-detergent 40 wt motor oil." for tranny, rear end as well as drive shaft.(pre paras ran shaft wet)
Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 8:09 am
by HYPERR
slimcolo wrote:I have heard good things about the Purple in motors but have heard nothing about it in Tranny or para. I would ask question on one of the BMW fourms like BMW MOA or IBMWR or one of the Yahoo groups.(these get model specific)
I posted on a BMW site and the only response I got was by a guy recommending Redline synthetic gear oil.
I do know that the bike shifted much better with BMW synthetic gear oil than it did with BMW dino gear oil.
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:08 pm
by HYPERR
I ended up going with the Mobil 1 75W90 SL Gear Oil. The bike shifts noticeably smoother. I was pretty happy with the condition of the old trans oil. It still looked brand new and not a spec of metal flakes anywhere to be seen.
Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:44 am
by Lion_Lady
BMWs shift "clunky." I kinda like it. I don't believe I shifted successfully on other bikes, they're too smooth.
P
Re: Transmission and Rear Axle Oil for Oilheads
Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 7:10 pm
by dablade
I just bought a 2000 K1200LT, my 1st BMW. After some research, I changed the tranny and final drive oil to Royal Purple. Also at the recommendation of another forum, have removed and lubricated the shift linkages. (I have since purchased aftermarket linkages on EBay, but have yet to install them). It shifts much better, but I think that mostly the result of servicing the linkage.
Perry