Hypoid oil

[bwringer]

Oh, for heaven's sake, stop the nervous crap. Just use 80W90 or 75W90, relax, and enjoy the motorcycle.

I've been using 80W90 for 22 years and 400,000 miles on GS shafties. My GK has 130,000 miles.

I change the gear lube in both the middle gear and the rear end once a year. I ride between 10,000 to 13,000 miles per year.

Just use it and be happy. :-)

Me too, except not quite so many total years and miles. Change once a year with whatever's easy to find and worry about something else.

[tkent02]

Ah, now there's some conclusive test results for sure! Thanks!

If he had left it in the whole time it would have been a better test.

[Schweisshund]

Draketh mentioned changing oil, and that reminded me. I've been trying to find a source for 90W hypoid oil. All the auto part stores around me carry 80W-90 Hypoid oil, but not straight 90W. Should I not sweat it and go with the multi-viscosity, or keep looking? If I should keep looking, where should I be looking?

BTW, what's different about oil for hypoid gears? Some additive that helps with the sliding action?

The absolutely best stuff is Lucas 80-90 Gear oil

[Steve]

Back to the original questions:

All the auto part stores around me carry 80W-90 Hypoid oil, but not straight 90W. Should I not sweat it and go with the multi-viscosity, or keep looking?
BTW, what's different about oil for hypoid gears? Some additive that helps with the sliding action?

Like the others, I use a 75w-90 or 80w90. Unlike the others, I tend to change it when I change the rear tire. That might be a couple of times a year on my bike or every two years on her bike.

What's different? You guessed it, it's to compensate for the sliding action of the gears.

[Dogma]

Thanks everyone. I'll be draining all the oils Friday morning, when the Carolla's master cylinder comes out.