Transmission oil sample

Bluedog 55

Bluedog 55

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Aug 3, 2015
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Hi all

Thoughts on this please if someone would like to comment, I serviced the bike before I go for my ride for the next three days and thought I'd get the transmission oil checked, see report elevated aluminium levels, allowable 60 ppm and currently 66ppm last changed 6000km ago .

Cheers

Bluedog
 

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There is a touch of silicon too but below the top limit, which is an alloying element added to aluminium alloys. So does the gearbox have any shafts running directly in the alloy case.
 
Not that I’m aware of but as yet I haven’t had it apart, the reason I got the sample was to see how high the metal levels were and was hoping it would be an indication of what may or may not be happening with the clutch since a few people have had to replace the springs and even rivets, I’m thinking it’s not too bad but will check it again in a couple of thousand km
 
Could be coming from the clutch basket and friction plates , don't worry . All shafts run on bearings . The primay and gear box with all that shearing are hard on the oil . You live in a warm climate in AUS , ever consider using 20w50 oil in the gear box ?
I have been using 20w50 for a long while now and prefer it. If you think about it , the primary/gear box may need the oil changed more often than the engine ! Consider changing at 3000 km .
 
Thanks Tony I went looking the other day I had read your post elsewhere about 20w50 I’m using shell x7 semi synthetic T4 i couldn’t get any 20w I might have to change brands, would it still need yo be semi synthetic for the transmission? Or could I go full synthetic? The local motorcycle shop has a fairly good selection of Motul
 
I have run Full , Semi and conventional in there and all worked just fine . Just be sure it is JASO MA/MA2 . I am currently using Valvoline conventional for motorcycle 20W50 , both engine and trans/primary. When these bottles are gone I have some Valvoline motorcycle full Syn 20w50 and that will be going in.
 
Thanks I’m about 800km into the trip since I done the test I’ll look at the heavier weight for next oil change bikes going well and one day to go
 
Personally, I would buy some good synthetic oil designed for a Harley Sportster transmission. I do not think your off the shelf shell oil etc is really up to the task. Bel Ray do an excellent Sportster transmission oil.

Regarding the PPM issue, I would seriously NOT worry about this. You are talking about being six parts per million over the desired range. I don’t think anything on a Norton is designed with that kind of tolerance in mind!

But seriously, who told you thats the upper limit? The testing firm I assume? How can they set such tight limits if they don’t know whats inside the gearbox and how it works?
 
Last edited:
Fast Eddie said:
Personally, I would buy some good synthetic oil designed for a Harley Sortster transmission. I do not think your off the shelf shell oil etc is really up to the task. Bel Ray do an excellent Sportster transmission oil.

Regarding the PPM issue, I would seriously NOT worry about this. You are talking about being six parts per million over the desired range. I don’t think anything on a Norton is designed with that kind of tolerance in mind!

But seriously, who told you thats the upper limit? The testing firm I assume? How can they set such tight limits if they don’t know whats inside the gearbox and how it works?
Click to expand...

I agree , the Bel-Ray is good stuff but more money. They make a great 10W50 motorcycle oil too .
 
Yeah it was pretty good ride it was with the local classic bike club most of us took the newer bikes though, it was all planned by one guy he rode it twice beforehand had everything worked out for accomodation places to eat due to numbers of people and COVID had all the suspect corners marked, very well organised my wife road her Himalayan too everything was great including the weather
 
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