Gear box oil types

[tonyh]

What type of oil is ok for the late GB box. Yes I know they recommended straight 50 or such in 1958 but it's 2014 so is 70/80 GL4 ok or any other modern gear oils. I read somewhere that some types of gear oils attack the bronze bushes, I wonder which spec these were.

Also how much does it need in there. Yes I know there is a level plug but it appears to be well up in the box. does anybody have a proper quantity to go by

[robjameson]

Not that it helps much but I filled one of mine up to the level plug with a special oil from Morris, which managed to lubricate the garage floor nicely, they don't like holding their oil do they!

[adrie.degraaff]

I allways use a mix of oil and grease, the grease more on the lever side to stop the leaking.

[nevhunter]

I mix oil and grease , for the early boxes. Grease is only a soap used to thicken it and stop it leaking (SLOW it leaking) The oil in the mix still has to do the job. Modern engine oils are not up to it. Borg Warner advice years ago.
Some additives were supposed to cause damage to bronze (Sulphur chlorine lead) SCL. The safest thing is to go to a motorcycle shop and get a a reliable brand oil that goes in TWO stroke Motorcross gearboxes . Harley Davidson have their branded oils for gearboxes too. Nev

[tonyh]

I am not sure that modern engine oils cant cope with with it as all modern bike engines lube the gears and engine as there unit construction. I know the early boxs are part grease but not the later boxes. I have tried two stroke comp oil in other less leaky Brit boxs with some good results but the oil is thin and I would not put it in a Burman box, enough escapes down the silly speedo cable outlet as it is.

I have used straight 40 in the past but as I have just rebuilt the box thought I would put normal gear oil in.

I just don't think the level plug in low enough, hense, does anybody know how much is needed and I didnt want to turn my nice new bronze bushes into paste. Any more ideas guys ?.

[nevhunter]

The unit construction engines gearbox shared oil combo's are treated separately. Like the very commonly used Shell superbike 4. which is widely regarded as satisfactory and even used in aircraft engines with reduction gearing If a company like Borg Warners advice is not enough I don't know what is. They are quite clear and unequivocal about it. Ordinary engine oils do NOT meet the requirements. Not my words . Theirs . Powerful cars like a Ford GT V8 with toploader gearbox. engine oils no longer meet the requirements. Nev

[robjameson]

Morris liquimatic hv22 is the oil I have been using. It is quite thin and tends to leak, which we know is hard to avoid, but it does seem to work well.

[chris.shearwood]

Hi Tony,
I would not use an API GL4 in a Burman box. The "4" indicates a high level of Extreme Pressure additives which are evidently required by the hypoid gears found in recent automobile rear axles but can attack and degrade yellow metals (brass, bronze copper etc.). A GL1 or GL2 would be suitable for these old boxes. For the GB box on my VH I have been using Dentax API GL1 80W-90 since putting the bike together about 3,500 miles ago with no problems so far.
It can be difficult to find GL1. Here in Canada I had to order a 5 gallon pail from a Shell products wholesaler but that was OK for me as I have various uses for it in my old tractor and various farm implements. Morris Lubricants sell GL1 in viscosities of 90, 140 and 250 but I don't know the container sizes. They have a distributor in the U.S. but not in Canada as far as I know. Where are you located?
I fill my GB box up to the level plug and after checking my maintenance records I can tell you that in the 3,500 miles I've added roughly 2 cups of oil. Is that a lot? It depends on one's perspective I suppose.
Regards, Chris

[tonyh]

Thanks lads. I take all this on board and will do some digging to find some GL1 or GL2 spec oil.

Ta Tony

[Andyozz]

Morris lubricants 90 grade mineral oil

http://www.morrislubricants.co.uk/Downl ... 20Oils.pdf