Routine maintenance - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

BikinIT · 08-15-2005, 09:30 AM

After being caught in the rain for the first time

I decided to do a complete wipe-down and check the fluids. The final drive oil was fine, easy to get to. Do they use regular 10w40 engine oil in there?

The next thing was the coolant. Now you have to get an Allen wrench and undo some nuts to get the cover off. The top nut is really deep in there and I had to use a combination of pliers and allen wrench to get that puppy loose.

I'm glad I checked, the coolant level was low, its been real hot here and I've been doing some slow riding (teaching a friend to ride my KZ650). I wonder if there is special antifreeze out there, or I can use any kind with the 50/50 distilled water mixture?

Has anyone out there done this yet?

Thanks.

chadrob30 · 08-15-2005, 11:19 AM

I asked the same coolant question at the dealer the other day and he said any 50/50 mix will work, but of course he wanted me to bring it in to have it done "professionally"...lol.

BikinIT · 08-15-2005, 01:43 PM

That would cost about $75 plus parts at my stealership

We should all be familiar with this type of fluid check. What would happen if somehow the shaft oil wasn't checked and it seized up while riding

I'm sure the owner would be ultimately responsible, no?

conrad · 08-16-2005, 08:30 AM

I believe the final drive oil is something like and 80 or 90 weight gear oil. At least that's what they used on my previous Suzuki shaft drives. GS 650 and GS 850. I haven't looked in the manual yet as the dealer changed it at the 600 mile service and I will be doing all future fluid changes myself. 10W-40 is correct for engine oil.

BikinIT · 08-16-2005, 08:36 AM

Interesting... In the little booklet (I think they actually call it an owners manual), it doesn't appear to spec out the oil type for final drive. Did I miss it?

golftee · 08-16-2005, 11:38 AM

In the service manual (pg 2-19) it calls for SAE 90 hypoid gear oil with GL-5 under API classification (200-220ml, 6.8-7.0 oz).

08-15-2005, 09:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
BikinIT In Training Joined: Apr 2005 Bike: 2005 Blk M50, 2001 Vulcan Location: Massachusetts Posts: 133	Routine maintenance After being caught in the rain for the first time I decided to do a complete wipe-down and check the fluids. The final drive oil was fine, easy to get to. Do they use regular 10w40 engine oil in there? The next thing was the coolant. Now you have to get an Allen wrench and undo some nuts to get the cover off. The top nut is really deep in there and I had to use a combination of pliers and allen wrench to get that puppy loose. I'm glad I checked, the coolant level was low, its been real hot here and I've been doing some slow riding (teaching a friend to ride my KZ650). I wonder if there is special antifreeze out there, or I can use any kind with the 50/50 distilled water mixture? Has anyone out there done this yet? Thanks. __________________ Favorite epitaph "I told you I was sick"

08-15-2005, 11:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
chadrob30 Sprocket Pilot Joined: May 2005 Bike: 2008 B-King Location: Fort Smith, Arkansas Posts: 818	I asked the same coolant question at the dealer the other day and he said any 50/50 mix will work, but of course he wanted me to bring it in to have it done "professionally"...lol. __________________ 2008 Suzuki B-King. Stainless Scorpion Slipons.

08-15-2005, 01:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
BikinIT In Training Joined: Apr 2005 Bike: 2005 Blk M50, 2001 Vulcan Location: Massachusetts Posts: 133	That would cost about $75 plus parts at my stealership We should all be familiar with this type of fluid check. What would happen if somehow the shaft oil wasn't checked and it seized up while riding I'm sure the owner would be ultimately responsible, no? __________________ Favorite epitaph "I told you I was sick"

08-16-2005, 08:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
BikinIT In Training Joined: Apr 2005 Bike: 2005 Blk M50, 2001 Vulcan Location: Massachusetts Posts: 133	Interesting... In the little booklet (I think they actually call it an owners manual), it doesn't appear to spec out the oil type for final drive. Did I miss it? __________________ Favorite epitaph "I told you I was sick"

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
600 Mile Maintenance	lYxFizzyl	Cruisers	59	09-16-2005 05:33 PM
Next maintenance	R3VO3VOM	Volusia/C50 Getaway	2	08-30-2005 01:35 PM
C50 first maintenance	kraft	Volusia/C50 Getaway	43	08-09-2005 05:51 PM
Yo: do some maintenance	87gsxrnut	Sportbikes & Sport-tourers	35	03-16-2005 11:29 AM
Learning to do my own Maintenance?	coves27	Sportbikes & Sport-tourers	1	03-08-2004 08:28 PM

08-16-2005, 08:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
conrad In Training Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: 2005 M50 Location: CT Posts: 118	I believe the final drive oil is something like and 80 or 90 weight gear oil. At least that's what they used on my previous Suzuki shaft drives. GS 650 and GS 850. I haven't looked in the manual yet as the dealer changed it at the 600 mile service and I will be doing all future fluid changes myself. 10W-40 is correct for engine oil.

08-16-2005, 11:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
golftee Ditch Magnet Joined: Apr 2005 Bike: Red M50 Location: Renton, Washington Posts: 174	In the service manual (pg 2-19) it calls for SAE 90 hypoid gear oil with GL-5 under API classification (200-220ml, 6.8-7.0 oz).

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)