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Author Topic: 79 r65 transmission fluid  (Read 2582 times)

groovster

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79 r65 transmission fluid
« on: February 16, 2009, 06:14:02 PM »
hello all, i'm new to the forum.  i've made a terrible mistake when my uncle (who has just purchased a '79 r65) quickly asked me where the oil drain plug was.  what we agreed on was actually the tranny drain plug.  so my question is:

with the tranny drained of oil
1: what's the proper viscosity and capacity?
2: is there a proper fill plug on the tranny?

any help appreciated

Offline Rob Valdez 79 R65

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Re: 79 r65 transmission fluid
« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2009, 06:26:28 PM »
The fill plug is on the left side, near the shift lever.  It can be hard to get the oil in there.  You might find a flexable funnel at a auto parts store.

While there, buy 1 quart of 90 weight gear oil.  You might want to try synthetic for the transmission, swing-arm (drive shaft lube) and the final drive.  You will need a little more than 1 quart if you are going to replace all three areas (recommended with any new-to-you bike).

And stick with either OEM oil filters or the company that supplies them.

You fill the gearbox to just below the theads for the fill plug - bike on centerstand.
(these engines like to rest on the centerstand.)

Stick to non-synthetic for the engine.


You really should get a rider's manual for the bike.  They are easy to get from ANY BMW dealer - car or bike...  
See the sticky thread above for more info.  That small book will answer many many questions.


Remember that you are dealing with many steel fasteners that thread into aluminum castings.  it is easy to strip these threads, if you are not careful.

Replacing the crush rings is not a bad idea, either.

Did you check the magnet on the drain plug for the tranny?  No big pieces of metal, I hope.  Small fuzz is normal and to be expected.

What did the oil look like?  Nice and black, or like a chocolate latte?  Latte means there is water in your box.
« Last Edit: February 16, 2009, 06:42:37 PM by Rob_Valdez_79_R65 »

groovster

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Re: 79 r65 transmission fluid
« Reply #2 on: February 16, 2009, 07:01:52 PM »
tranny oil definitely had the healthy black coloration.  while i wasn't around to see the transmission plug freshly pulled, my uncle never said he saw chunks or fuzz.  he is waiting on the owner's manual from the previous owner, but the bike is going on vacation with him come saturday.  you had mentioned all 'three' areas, meaning the swing arm and final drive have their own oil housings?  would a turkey baster work to fill the tranny case?

thanks for the help, and i'll see if we can't get jeff to get the repair manual either from bmw, clymer, or haynes.  anyone of these preferred?

Offline Rob Valdez 79 R65

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Re: 79 r65 transmission fluid
« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2009, 07:28:52 PM »
Any of the manuals are better than nothing, but can have errors.
they are also intended for the larger bikes, but for engine and drivetrain, they are fine.

for filling the oil, you might get a length of plastic hose that will fit over the pointed end of the gear lube container.

Swingarm and final drives have their own housings.

The swingarm fill & drain plugs are particularly susceptible to stripping.  

Offline Justin B.

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Re: 79 r65 transmission fluid
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2009, 07:35:33 PM »
"tranny oil definitely had the healthy black coloration."

I have never seen transmission lube that was colored black, you may have some issues to deal with...
Justin B.

2004 BMW R1150RT
1981 R100RT - Summer bike, NEKKID!!!

Offline Rob Valdez 79 R65

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Re: 79 r65 transmission fluid
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2009, 08:02:58 PM »
Quote
"tranny oil definitely had the healthy black coloration."

I have never seen transmission lube that was colored black, you may have some issues to deal with...


That may have been my error, Justin.  I think I put that suggestion in his mind:

Rob sed: "What did the oil look like?  Nice and black, or like a chocolate latte?  Latte means there is water in your box. "

Offline Rob Valdez 79 R65

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Re: 79 r65 transmission fluid
« Reply #6 on: February 16, 2009, 08:08:46 PM »
Good luck on the vacation.  The length of the trip will determine the necessity of large amounts of cash and a good cell phone (satellite phone, in some areas).  I wouldn't recommend anyone take off on a trip on an unknown vehicle.

Wheel bearings?  Final drive/wheel splines at 50% or better?  And lubed properly?  Has the input spline to the transmission been lubed lately?  Is there grease in the clutch lever so the clutch cable nipple can rotate, and not break the cable?

My head is spinning....

Altritter

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Re: 79 r65 transmission fluid
« Reply #7 on: February 16, 2009, 09:43:27 PM »
Welcome, groovster! I hope you find us to be friendly, eclectic, entertaining, informative, and frequently funny. (At least that's how I find the group. It's my favorite group overall, and definitely my favorite BMW group, by a wide margin.)

Now, for my reason for responding:

From Rob: << Remember that you are dealing with many steel fasteners that thread into aluminum castings.  it is easy to strip these threads, if you are not careful. >>

Rob, your response came at a perfect time. (groovster, check out my rant on this board earlier this evening regarding the carburetor on my '66 VW Beetle.) Was/is there some Teutonic thing about steel bolts/studs and aluminum sockets? That's all I'll say about that on this board. PM me if anyone wants to pursue it?

Enjoy the insanity, groovster!

John

aussie

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Re: 79 r65 transmission fluid
« Reply #8 on: February 17, 2009, 04:57:06 AM »
Oh my <grimaces>.

Well welcome anyway groovster you've come to the correct place for advice - even though it may be contradictory....

(I won't name names ....but Rob......)  ;)

Offline Semper Gumby

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Re: 79 r65 transmission fluid
« Reply #9 on: February 20, 2009, 06:38:22 PM »
Quote
hello all, I'm new to the forum.  I've made a terrible mistake when my uncle (who has just purchased a '79 r65) quickly asked me where the oil drain plug was.  what we agreed on was actually the tranny drain plug.  so my question is:

with the tranny drained of oil
1: what's the proper viscosity and capacity?
2: is there a proper fill plug on the tranny?

any help appreciated

+1 on what Rob said>

Quantities:

Tranny       - 800cc
Drive shaft - 100cc ( the book says 150cc but Oak says it will run on a little as 50cc and be OK)**
Final drive  - 250cc

Torque settings:  (page 105 Clymer Manual)  Get a 3/8 inch drive Craftsman Torque wrench.  Get copper washers from you favorite supplier or the stock BMW washers and use use fresh new every time (or every other time).
Tranny Fill           - 28-31 n-m
Tranny Drain       - 23-26 n-m
Drive shaft Fill      - 14 n-m
Drive Shaft Drain - 14-16 n-m
Final Drive Fill      - 28-31 n-m
Final Drive Drain  - 23-26 n-m
Engine Oil Drain   - 30-35 n-m

Oil type-  (AH HA an ADOT***)  I use Valvolene Semi-Synthetic blue bottle 80W90 October thru April here in Atlanta
I use the 85W145 May thru September (summer months).  There are two reasons I do this.  1) if there is a water problem {water getting into the oil} I catch it quick.  And 2) the 85W145 is too thick for the winter months.  The water usually gets into the Drive shaft through the Speedo cable bell (rubber bell around cable on RH side of the tranny.)  If this rubber boot is anything less than PERFECT (any cracks at all) replace it now! Either Tye wrap the top of the bell around the cable tightly or use some Radio Shack Shrink wrap tubing to seal the top to keep water from getting into the Drive shaft oil and tranny.  I have used both methods to good effect.  The part number is not on the R65 Fiche.  If you need it just post here and we will provide it for you.

My tranny has lasted 90900 miles without a re-build so far using this method.  When the final drive was re-built because the splines to the rear wheel were worn out, the gears inside were not replaced.  I got only a new spline and new seals.

**Why would I use less than the published oil quantity for the drive shaft oil.  Good you asked.  There is a small hole between the drive shaft and the tranny.  At High speeds (65mph plus) oil from the final drive will migrate from the drive shaft into the tranny.  This will overfill the tranny.  So I use less (100cc) and this doesn't happen.  The Oak guy is one of the gurus (whose feet I am not fit to wash) at www.airheads.org.  I pay close attention to anything Oak has to say.  I merely repeat for your benefit.

***Another Damn Oil Thread.  So many opinions so little time....
Bill Gould ?1980/03 R65 When at first you don't succeed....Moo!

Offline Semper Gumby

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Re: 79 r65 transmission fluid
« Reply #10 on: February 20, 2009, 06:41:34 PM »
Quote
"tranny oil definitely had the healthy black coloration."

I have never seen transmission lube that was colored black, you may have some issues to deal with...

yeah like it has never been changed (oh no!)

Good luck Groovester.
Bill Gould ?1980/03 R65 When at first you don't succeed....Moo!

Offline Rob Valdez 79 R65

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Re: 79 r65 transmission fluid
« Reply #11 on: February 20, 2009, 10:18:00 PM »
Quote
Quote
"tranny oil definitely had the healthy black coloration."

I have never seen transmission lube that was colored black, you may have some issues to deal with...

yeah like it has never been changed (oh no!)

Good luck Groovester.


Won't you guys agree that gear oil is usually darker coming out, than it is going in?

Offline Justin B.

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Re: 79 r65 transmission fluid
« Reply #12 on: February 21, 2009, 04:22:29 AM »
Mine's not!  ;)  I did change the lube in the differential in a '65 Nova I had a few years ago that came out black, but that was probably original stuff with over 100k miles...
Justin B.

2004 BMW R1150RT
1981 R100RT - Summer bike, NEKKID!!!

trolle

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Re: 79 r65 transmission fluid
« Reply #13 on: February 22, 2009, 03:33:45 AM »
Darker, yes but not black but then I change every 3000 miles. Just for the fun of it  ;). BTW it pays off as the amount of "shavings" is smaller and the size of the shavings is way above the acceptable. (small is beautiful)

greetings from a sunny, windy and considerably warmer north

Offline Semper Gumby

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Re: 79 r65 transmission fluid
« Reply #14 on: February 25, 2009, 08:45:06 PM »
Mine looks like new oil (unless there is water) but I change it every six months....
Bill Gould ?1980/03 R65 When at first you don't succeed....Moo!