Gearbox Goop

[SRL790]

Rather than packing the gearbox with grease during assembly per the (1954) factory manual, I used a tube of the gear lube for the new bikes.

Can anyone tell me what the recommended change interval is for this gear lube and the recommended method of removing the old stuff?

Thanks,

Andy

[Foggy_Auggie]

If you are using the new 80W90 gear lube - you could probably go 4000 miles between changes with your gearbox.

There could be a problem with seals leaking unless it's in real good condition or recently rebuilt.

Kerosene could be used to help flush out the old grease mixture.  You might have to do a partial disassembly to really get the old stuff detailed out.

Others on this board probably know more about the original classic components - hopefully they'll jump in!

Regards, Foggy

[t120rbullet]

Rather than packing the gearbox with grease during assembly per the (1954) factory manual, I used a tube of the gear lube for the new bikes.
Can anyone tell me what the recommended change interval is for this gear lube and the recommended method of removing the old stuff?

The best way to get the OO grease out is to add some ATF to it and run it until it's hot.
Drain and repeat until it comes out clean. ATF has a lot of detergent in and does a good job of cutting the grease and still has some lubricating properties.
If you are going to run gear lube it would be best to change the bearings to sealed or shielded ones in an effort to keep some of the oil in the gearbox.
I run mine on 1/2 140w gear oil and 1/2 Lucas oil stabilizer.
CJ

[SRL790]

Just to clarify.

I totally cleaned the gearbox internals when I rebuilt the bike and did not pack it with grease.  After assembly I filled it with a tube of the 00 grease.  I did not know if there was a specific method for removing this other than getting the bike good and hot then draining.  I was wondering what the Owner's Manual recommended.

Cleaning with ATF sounds like a good idea, but with the old felt seals in my bike, I think most of it would come out before I reached the end of my driveway!

Andy

[t120rbullet]

Cleaning with ATF sounds like a good idea, but with the old felt seals in my bike, I think most of it would come out before I reached the end of my driveway!

Mine has the old felt seal in it and it seems to hold the ATF just fine.  Just don't overfill it too much the first time. 
Mine seems to leak the most out of the right side. I have a sealed bearing to put in there this winter to cure that.