What to use in place of SAE 90a

[Guest]

The manual for my 80' 1000G says to straight 90 hypoid gear oil, since that oil is kinda obsolete...what do you guys use in place of it?

[GSX1000E]

75W-140 synthetic gear oil. In the secondary AND final drive units.
That is until Mr. Postcount is my name comes along and says otherwise. Then, you MUST listen to him!

[Nessism]

Mr. Postcount here correcting GSX1000E again...

For 90 weight gear oil the modern equivalent is 75W-90. The W indicates "winter", or in other words the cold flowability of the oil. 75W oil will have slightly better cold flow characteristics than did the old, old straight 90 weight oils. When up to temperataure, both will behave like a 90 weight oil. 75W-140 on the other hand will be a good bit thicker than 90 weight when warm. Don't think it will hurt anything, but not sure deviating from the manuals recommendation is prudent.

[GSX1000E]

Sorry, wrong post count hog. BTW, the W stands for the BASE WEIGHT rating of the oil.
It has nothing to do with the climate change that we often hear about on the news.

[tkent02]

I'm sorry, the W still means Winter, just as it always has.

[Steve]

For 90 weight gear oil the modern equivalent is 75W-90. The W indicates "winter", or in other words the cold flowability of the oil.

Sorry, wrong post count hog. BTW, the W stands for the BASE WEIGHT rating of the oil.
It has nothing to do with the climate change that we often hear about on the news.

I'm sorry, the W still means Winter, just as it always has.

From Wikipedia:

Grades

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has established a numerical code system for grading motor oils according to their viscosity characteristics. SAE viscosity gradings include the following, from low to high viscosity: 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50 or 60. The numbers 0, 5, 10, 15 and 25 are suffixed with the letter W, designating they are "winter" (not "weight") or cold-start viscosity, at lower temperature. The number 20 comes with or without a W, depending on whether it is being used to denote a cold or hot viscosity grade. The document SAE J300 defines the viscometrics related to these grades.

Ed and Tom, thanks for stepping in before I saw this.
GSX1000E feels he has to comment on the frequency of my posting with virtually every post I make.

Somehow, he also does not seem to believe the accuracy of what I post, so it's nice to see some others help him "see the light".

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[Nessism]

75W-90 means the oil tests as a 75W oil in the cold, or winter test, and as a 90 weight oil in the high temperature test.

75W-90 will flow the same in cold temps as 75W-140. In high temps though the 75W-140 will be much thicker.

One other mistake some people make is referring to single weight oils, such as SAE 30 weight, as 30W. This is incorrect. 30 weight oil is different from 30W oil.

Edit: Steve posted while I was typing...

[Steve]

Edit: Steve posted while I was typing...

You realize, of course, that I just HAD to add another post to my count.

That is until Mr. Postcount is my name comes along ...

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[GSX1000E]

I currently own 7 GS models that are shaft driven. Of the four running bikes with engines in them, I run 75W-140 whatever you choose to use in your G models is up to you.
BTW, do any of the other posters in this thread even own a RUNNING GS G model or ride one?

[tkent02]

The W means Winter no matter what you ride or drive.

[Steve]

BTW, do any of the other posters in this thread even own a RUNNING GS G model or ride one?

Three of the four GSes in my signature are licensed, insured and used just about every day.

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[Johno]

I've just replaced the oil in the bevel drive box and differential with Penrite Hypoid gear oil 80W-90.

I used the oil initially two years ago and replaced it with fresh from the same 2.5 litre container last night. The oil in the bevel drive transfer case was like new while the diff oil was slightly discoloured from the original gold colour of the fresh oil.

I will get another change from the container in two years time as both take less than 800 ml in total.

[Steve]

I will get another change from the container in two years time as both take less than 800 ml in total.

I change the oil in the drive units when I change my rear tire.

Don't forget ... when you pull your rear wheel off, grease the splines, preferably with Honda Moly 60 paste.

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[Johno]

I change the oil in the drive units when I change my rear tire.

Don't forget ... when you pull your rear wheel off, grease the splines, preferably with Honda Moly 60 paste.

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All good suggestions Steve.

I have a life time supply of Honda Moly 60.

I have been on the GS Resources now since 2003 so I have absorbed most of the great advice.

That's why my GS is so reliable. No concerns about going on a 1500 km trip with only needing to do the basic checks.