what oil for gt550 gearbox?

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MikGsxr
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what oil for gt550 gearbox?

Post by MikGsxr »

What oil would be good for the gt550 gearbox? I have some semi-synthetic 10w-40 laying around that I use for the car- is that ok?

thanks
r3tro74
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Suzuki 2-Strokes: 74 GT550
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Re: what oil for gt550 gearbox?

Post by r3tro74 »

I would only use motorcycle oil due to the clutch being inside of the gearbox. Automotive oil has additional additives that make it lubricate better- not good for a clutch.
1974 Suzuki GT550
1983 Honda XL250
2002 Yamaha Bear Tracker
1959 Lone Star Malibu
MikGsxr
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Re: what oil for gt550 gearbox?

Post by MikGsxr »

Thanks mate, any particular brand and weight?

cheers
argo1974
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Re: what oil for gt550 gearbox?

Post by argo1974 »

Don't use engine oils in gearbox but SAE 80 GL-4 rated transmission oil of some well-known brand.
http://www.3cyl.com/mraxl/gt/gearoils5.PDF" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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tz375
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Re: what oil for gt550 gearbox?

Post by tz375 »

Your local distributor can probably get you a good quality two stroke trans oil. In the US we use Silkolene and in Australia I can usually only get MOTUL from our local dealers and I'm never there long enough to organize a better supply. It's usually aan engione rebuild and need some oil for teh weekend type of deal.

Not sure what's available in the land of the long white cloud. I found a couple of links for Silkolene.

http://www.topfuel.co.nz/sponsors.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Hays racing

and http://www.whites.co.nz/products/silkolene/174.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Looks like Supercheap may also have it.
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tz375
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Re: what oil for gt550 gearbox?

Post by tz375 »

Shoot, I was confusing you with Mike H1. Sorry about that.

Looks like you have a couple of places in Perth that stock Silkolene. MOTUL is good and Honda do a nice cost effective transoil. Not sure if it's available there.
MikeH1A
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Re: what oil for gt550 gearbox?

Post by MikeH1A »

tz: "Land of the long white cloud" :clap: I'm very impressed with your knowledge :up:
Burt Munro + John Britten + Kim Newcombe + Ivan Mauger = Kiwi Street Cred

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tz375
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Re: what oil for gt550 gearbox?

Post by tz375 »

Thanks Mike, but I'm cheating a little. I lived in OZ for years and was President of a chapter of the Australian New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (ANZACC) for a while. Unlike one of my colleagues, I can't sing your national anthem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... uZlL58yvyM
MikeH1A
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Re: what oil for gt550 gearbox?

Post by MikeH1A »

Looks like you've had a rather interesting life, spread across the globe. Did you ever get across to enjoy some of our great biking roads? I was across on the Gold Coast 2 weeks ago, soaking up the sun and warm temperatures. Enjoyable place to visit the Land of Oz. How's it compare to where you are living now?
Burt Munro + John Britten + Kim Newcombe + Ivan Mauger = Kiwi Street Cred

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tz375
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Re: what oil for gt550 gearbox?

Post by tz375 »

No comparison in so many ways they are such different places and different people with different values.

From a bike perspective, there's a lot of boring roads with little in the way of curves or elevation changes in both countries, but in God Zone I was closer to nice winding interesting roads. Of course OZ now has revenue cameras I mead Safety cameras. I have an outstanding 150 buck issue for going 6 kms over a 100km limit on a highway off ramp. If I went that slowly in the US I would cause an accident.

Somethings you miss and some, not so much. :wink: I miss my kids and grandkids though. :(
MikGsxr
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Re: what oil for gt550 gearbox?

Post by MikGsxr »

Thanks guys, will check the honda shop for the honda stuff. it is just up the street. I miss some things about the USA as well. especially the non-focus on speed unlike here. I have never seen so much emphasis on a arbitrary number like here in Australia, it is ridiculous! in america, I got pulled over 3 times in one day when doing a long mountain ride near Seattle, all 3 times we were doing 100mph and did not get a ticket at all. if i got stopped for doing 100mph here, it would make the papers and the news- I kid you not!!
parksie
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Re: what oil for gt550 gearbox?

Post by parksie »

Mate
I found the best gearbox oil for the bike is GEARBOX OIL.
Get standard gearbox oil GL-5.L either 70/90 OR 80/90.
Don't go spendinfg big on so called bike specific gearbox oils they're highly overpriced and no better.
Been using standard castrol gearbox oil for years with no problems
My 2 bobs worth
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MikeH1A
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Re: what oil for gt550 gearbox?

Post by MikeH1A »

I'll second parksie. I've been using GL-5 rated Valvoline in the T500 and now in the GT750. No problems to report yet and it can be picked up essily from Supercheap Autospares.
Burt Munro + John Britten + Kim Newcombe + Ivan Mauger = Kiwi Street Cred

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sfront
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Re: what oil for gt550 gearbox?

Post by sfront »

You'll also find that some of the synthetics like to bypass the seals.............
I had Silkolene light gear oil in my GT750 and after a month it
started to leak out of the wires on the gear indicator switch.
Dumped the Silkolene and refilled with Valvoline 75W GL5 and
she's back to her old none territory marking self.
STEVE
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titanx04
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Re: what oil for gt550 gearbox?

Post by titanx04 »

Hey guys,
For the gearbox- is it best to drain while warm or cold.
Is the drain plug the one facing straight down or slightly angled back. Either way I removed both and one had a spring with another bullet shaped part in top. Hope I put that back in correct way.
Is 1500cc, is that equivalent to 1.5l.
Is 75/90 semi synthetic ok.

Lastly air filter for standard box are they 40mm.
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