The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: davenerk on June 28, 2026, 04:44:52 PM

Title: how do i check final drive oil level? there are 3 openings.
Post by: davenerk on June 28, 2026, 04:44:52 PM

i am sure this is a common question but even though i found references to it, i did not find the answer.  i changed the final drive oil yesterday, drained it and added back 350cc.  the clymer manual and the internet mention looking in the hole and checking the level and measuring from the lip of the hole down to the oil.  they cant mean the drain plug, and i dont think they mean the vent.  but the bolt in the straight back isnt similar at all to the allen head bolt that sits horizontally in ALL the pictures i could find.  could someone just set me straight?  where and how do i check level?

Title: Re: how do i check final drive oil level? there are 3 openings.
Post by: Bob_Roller on June 28, 2026, 04:51:08 PM

The plug on the aft side of the final drive.
Fill i until oil comes out .

Title: Re: how do i check final drive oil level? there are 3 openings.
Post by: davenerk on June 28, 2026, 07:47:33 PM

just to be certain.  you mean this bolt?

Title: Re: how do i check final drive oil level? there are 3 openings.
Post by: Bob_Roller on June 28, 2026, 08:36:21 PM

I am unable to see any pictures on this site 
So I can't confirm it .

Title: Re: how do i check final drive oil level? there are 3 openings.
Post by: davenerk on June 28, 2026, 10:06:38 PM

ok.  there are only 3.  drain cant be it, vent cant be it, aft is rear so you must meen the small hex bolt.  ill try it.  thanks.

Title: Re: how do i check final drive oil level? there are 3 openings.
Post by: Bob_Roller on June 29, 2026, 01:09:16 PM

Yes I think it's a 10 mm .

Title: Re: how do i check final drive oil level? there are 3 openings.
Post by: Kelvin on July 04, 2026, 07:14:32 PM

I can see pictures and, yes, the bolt you've circled in the picture is the one that sets oil level.

Incidently, I find this method messy. I measure the oil quantity in a jug and pour the correct amount in.