Did I ruin my transmission?

motorson · May 19, 2013

I changed oil in my transmission before using it after buying a used bike at 5500 miles. I used Valvoline synthetic 85w 140 suitable for limited slip. No problems after 400 miles but then I became an Amsoil dealer and put in 85w 140 synthetic Severe Gear. After only 5 miles I saw little shiny things that I convinced myself were bubbles. I checked the level and let some oil out and I thought: "that would explain the bubbles." After another 400 miles from home to the "3 State Mountain Ride" in Blowing Rock NC (great ride but almost all in the rain!!), I drained it again and this time the little "bubbles" were shiny metal flakes. Very fine as if I has added anti seize or molly or something.

Naturally I am back to the Valvoline and am wondering how much damage I did and why the Amsoil product didn't work well.

jaydee75 · May 19, 2013

What are you talking about?
x

lbridges · May 19, 2013

There is a brass cage for the balls in the original layshaft bearing. Is your bearing original? It could be going regardless of the lube. If it is original, you should expect to be pulling the box apart for safety as the cage is known to fail with potentially dangerous consequences. Sorry if this was a fact already known to you.

Dances with Shrapnel · May 19, 2013

I doubt the oil ruined or even harmed anything. It may have loosened up and started circulating some of the metallic sludge from the first 5,500 miles.

Take lbridges advice and have a look at the layshaft bearing on the LH side of the bike. They can lock up the rear wheel and damage the box and innards pretty bad if the cage fails. Happened to me and it was ugly carnage but luckly I did not get dropped.

Throber · May 19, 2013

Could be that the clean Amsoil broke down the old sludge accumulated from general ware of riding.
Don't panic. Amsoil is good stuff.
It might be that the shiny gold stuff is just bit's of the plane bushing's in the gear box and not the bearing referred to. But check it.
If when draining the box there isn't big bit's of metal you are probably OK.
But I would do as the other contributors have advised and check it out.
A clean, new oil will thin down old sludge and enable it to be spread all over the place. That's why they say you should not use high detergent oil if you have been using non-detergent oil.
Hope you resolve it OK.
I have used Red Line high shock load oil in many box's and found it good.

pete.v · May 19, 2013

The oil could have simply flushed the bronze flecks from areas that they were settled in. These flecks are from bushing and evidence of some is not abnormal. I would NOT think that a premature wearing issue has occurred.

I have used many oils including the Amsoil products including the severe gear stuff and have seen the seemingly aeration of the oil.

After all those great oils, I have found the best product for these old boxes is the regular non synthetic but good quality Lucas 80/90.

Flush it with some spirits if you feel and add the recommended oil.

If you experience gearbox trouble after that then you may have to re bush it. Otherwise wait till off season and confirm condition.

Hobot · May 19, 2013

Hehe its been a few decades since gear lube had anything to bother brass or bronze or anything metalic. I vote the paper thin first gear bush breaking up and an easy fix just under the inner cover to reach. If it begins to pop out of 1st on neutral load coasting then I quessed right, though being an Old Norton there's a handful of things to attend too once inside.

motorson · May 21, 2013

Thanks everyone, I feel much better now. I think for a week or so I'll ride it and check it. Then if it is ok I'll finish out the season. After that Dances and lbridges advise will be followed completely.

concours · May 22, 2013

motorson said:
I changed oil in my transmission before using it after buying a used bike at 5500 miles. I used Valvoline synthetic 85w 140 suitable for limited slip. No problems after 400 miles but then I became an Amsoil dealer and put in 85w 140 synthetic Severe Gear. After only 5 miles I saw little shiny things that I convinced myself were bubbles. I checked the level and let some oil out and I thought: "that would explain the bubbles." After another 400 miles from home to the "3 State Mountain Ride" in Blowing Rock NC (great ride but almost all in the rain!!), I drained it again and this time the little "bubbles" were shiny metal flakes. Very fine as if I has added anti seize or molly or something.

Naturally I am back to the Valvoline and am wondering how much damage I did and why the Amsoil product didn't work well.

Which Norton was yours?

motorson · May 22, 2013

The red Interstate Combat. I was with Rod who had a MkIII with the original blue striped white tank and John on a BSA.

Hobot · May 22, 2013

Now that's the type of picture to show the wife when bargaining for another mouth to feed!

Ugh - What did you do with that dangerous lube that ate your tranny's gold fillings right out? :?

concours · May 23, 2013

motorson said:
The red Interstate Combat. I was with Rod who had a MkIII with the original blue striped white tank and John on a BSA.

I remember it now. My screaming back pain had me sitting in a chair self medicating more than mingling.

motorson · Jun 7, 2013

I have now been on the internet and studied out the difference between the GL-5 oil so commonly available now and the GL-4 which the Norton calls for. I have found evidence that there is some problem with the new GL-5 oils not supporting the old brass technology in transmissions that are older. Syncos are a problem on some automotive tranys making shifting more difficult with GL-5. I have now bought some STA-Lube 85w90 GL-4 and put it in. We'll see how that does.

Rohan · Jun 7, 2013

That bizzo with the GL4 and GL5 was decades ago now ? - and was rumoured to be only some specific brands of gear oil too, although that wasn't really spelled out.
If it really dissolved gearbox internals, do you think the zillions of 4 wheel tintop owners out there wouldn't have screamed, loudly ??

Can't hurt to have good oil in there though...

Did I ruin my transmission?

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