maint fluids (oil)

[Randy Knowlton]

I have recently purchased 81 GS850GL, 11K, real clean and dirt cheap.
I havn't got my hands on a manual yet, and was hoping to get some advice on engine and secondary and final drive oil. I have done some searches without coming up with much.
Is the quantity,type required, and or any general service info listed somewhere that I am missing?
Thanks, great site!

PS: this is the first bike I have owned in twenty years,the bug bit me again! and I am signed up for a safety course!

[kalessin]

Congrats on the new bike!

Any 10w40 oil should do. Some people like to play around with oil, saying good things about Rotella fleet-grade oil, just search the forums with the word "rotella". You'll need to buy four quarts. The capacity stamped near your oil filler is *doesn't include* an oil filter change, which you'll certainly want to do.

Final drive oil is 90 weight. If you get the Clymer manual, it should have the drain/fill procedure. Many people also like to get the factory manual, because it's more accurate.

[Steve]

First of all...Congrats on the safety course. I took my first course along with my son, after I had been riding for 25 years. Still learned plenty! I now do a refresher course about every two years. Check with your insurance provider, it is probably good for a 10-15% discount.


Even a Clymer's manual works (that's what I have for my '82). Engine oil calls for 10w-40, 3.8 quarts with a filter change. I use a 5w-40 synthetic oil that comes in a gallon jug and just dump in the whole thing. Just make sure that whatever oil you use does NOT say "energy conserving" anywhere on the bottle. Those oils have friction modifiers in them that don't do good things to our wet clutches. I don't think any of the 40w oils have them, but read the conainer to be sure.

The secondary and final drive both call for 90w hypoid gear oil rated GPL-5. I use 80w-90 synthetic here. Secondary drive takes 11.5-13.5 ounces, the final drive takes 9.5-11.2 ounces. While it is nice to know how much is needed to change the secondary and final drive oils, I have never measured them. There is a fluid level check hole for each one, so you just fill until it starts coming out the check hole.


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[rustybronco]

May suggest after you get the manual or do a search on this site for the info you need to change the secondary drive fluid and rear drive fluid (synthetic gear lube in both gets my vote) you might want to change the front fork oil and lube the rear wheel splines. try a public library for a clymers or a haynes manual until you get your very own. CONGRATS!!!!!

[chiphead]

Please remember the secondary and final drives need to be filled with hypoid oils.