Final Drive Lube

[Draxxis]

Ok, so I'm slowing becoming more comfortable with different things on my 86 Voyager, as in changing and repairing things. One thing now I'm curious about is the Final Drive Lube. I know what type to get (looking at the Lucas Oil Heavy Duty Gear 80W-90 non synthetic), but my big question is when to change it? How many miles do you go before you service this part of the bike?

Yes I will go for a drive to warm it up and then drain it completely in the rear before adding the new oil, but I'm wondering is there a rough set mileage you run before changing it? Or if it looks a certain color?

I haven't opened up the fill yet to see it's level and coloration, but I want to get people's opinions on this before diving into it.

[voyager55]

Opinions will vary-- But Since it's so cheap & easy to do, I change mine every second oil change.
Keep oil level about 1/4" below the threads or it can leak

[cranky]

... and why you are not using synthetic lube for everything, is a mystery to me!!!
Synthetics are FAR superior lubes!!! I use Mobil 1 for final drive and motor oil....
Also synthetic brake and clutch fluid.... JM2C + FWIW

[Draxxis]

I figure why fix what isn't broke?? For years, non synthetic has worked great. And for the past 30 years, it hasn't had synthetic and nothing has gone wrong. So I'm keeping with that.

[cranky]

success works! The thing about synthetics is the temp range it can
tolerate. When dino oil has been burned to a lump of tar, synth oils
will have lost 25% of their viscosity and still be an oil.... If Ya have that
in your vehicle, and yes - I run syn oil in my car, it can save your motor if
Ya bust a radiator hose....

[voyager55]

Synthetic drive lube has caused some people problems in the past. It can leak out thru the seals. Carl Leo recommends Belray 80W-90 hypoid gear oil. That's what I've used for years.
To each his own

[Draxxis]

I'm still planning on nob synthetic lube because I don't want to inadvertently cause another hassle down the road in my riding time. And I'm sure that changing it often (every other oil change) would prevent more of a possible issue. Iive in Buffalo, NY where yes we have warm days, so the bike runs hotter, but most of my riding is in 50 - 70 degree weather.

[Mr Jensee]

success works! The thing about synthetics is the temp range it can
tolerate. When dino oil has been burned to a lump of tar, synth oils
will have lost 25% of their viscosity and still be an oil.... If Ya have that
in your vehicle, and yes - I run syn oil in my car, it can save your motor if
Ya bust a radiator hose....

Crankb, take it from somebody who used only synthetic oils since the early 80's you don't need to spend that kind of money for the Voyager XII. It is a water cooled engine and will never get as hot as an air cooled engine. Most everybody uses the Carl Leo, master mechanic's recommendation of Rotella T 15/40 Diesel oil. You are not doing anything to improve the wear properties using a more expensive oil. Change the oil between 3000 and 5000 miles and the engine will last forever. If you want to use a synthetic gear lube in the rear end that is fine. I used to use Castrol Syntech in all my bikes until I got here. The Rotella T will save you a bundle you can use on other things.

[voyager55]

When I click on your manual link it asks me to sign in? Something new to view it?

[Mr Jensee]

When I click on your manual link it asks me to sign in? Something new to view it?

Try it now. Microsoft just updated Outlook which may have affected my One Drive. Let me know if it doesn't work.

[cranky]

I thought it was just me, it still wants a sign-in from me... and I have NO
desire for a mickeysoft account....

[voyager55]

Same here, still shows a sign in page

[Mr Jensee]

Microsoft has updated my windows 10 I am going to have to investigate why it is doing what it is doing.

[voyager55]

Just give us your sign in info & passwords. We'll be careful

[Mr Jensee]

Microsoft has ended my ability to link my One Drive with all the Voyager XII manuals. If you need a manual and cannot get it from AVA then by all means email me and I will send you a link where you can still access them. I am sorry but AVA limits the amount of characters in an embedded file. My embedded link is over 40 characters too large to put into my signature. I apologize for the inconvenience.