How clean should the gear oil be

[FantasticJohnR]

Everytime I chage the gear oil on my 2006 it comes out black/greyish (I now how 6 k miles and have changed the gear oil 3 times). My long time service guy tells me that this isn't normal- so I call the Yamaha dealer and they tell me this is perfectly normal.

I do not feel any metal pieces on the magnet of the drain plug although there is plenty of black stuff on it.

So what's the store- should it drainout nice and yellow like when I first put it in or does it get black.

I am going to drain and change the gear oil again tonight after only 500 miles- if it is black does that mean I have a problem?

John

 

[Warchild]

So what's the store- should it drainout nice and yellow like when I first put it in or does it get black.
I am going to drain and change the gear oil again tonight after only 500 miles- if it is black does that mean I have a problem?

No, the Yammy is correct. This is completely normal the first several times you change the rear drive fluid.

What is happening here is that you are essentially flushing out all the dark moly that Yamaha uses in its fluids when the bike is assembled. (Note: this moly isn't present in the uber-$$$ FJR1300-specific Shaft Drive Fluid)

All normal. No worries.

Personally, I wouldn't bother changing the rear drive fluid again until it's next normal service interval.... waste of $, otherwise. My rear drive fluid changes didn't start to "clear up" for several change evolutions... 5-7 , IIRC.

 

[FantasticJohnR]

OK, thanks for the reply- I knew that the first couple of changes would be dirty, but I am past 6 k miles now and have changes 3X.

I'll just keep an eye on it...

B)

 

[radman]

Franks M1 comes out clear to the point where I altered the change interval to every second oil change, aprox 4-5 thousand miles, from the previous every change, aprox 2-2500 miles. This at 27 thou total.

 

[SkooterG]

Franks M1 comes out clear to the point where I altered the change interval to every second oil change, aprox 4-5 thousand miles, from the previous every change, aprox 2-2500 miles. This at 27 thou total.

Man, I can't let that one go. Radman, YGTFKM!!!! What does the Yamaha service schedule call for? Like every 15k or something like that? Mang, you need some other type of hobbies.

 

[radman]

Man, I can't let that one go. Radman, YGTFKM!!!! What does the Yamaha service schedule call for? Like every 15k or something like that? Mang, you need some other type of hobbies.

Everytime I post my change numbers, for whatever reason, you have to be sure and let me know how stupid it is. I don't give a shit if you never change yours, ok? I have good reason for doing what I do, no comment needed.

 

[SkooterG]

Everytime I post my change numbers, for whatever reason, you have to be sure and let me know how stupid it is. I don't give a shit if you never change yours, ok? I have good reason for doing what I do, no comment needed.

Perhaps comment not needed, but desired?

Hmmm..........hit a sensitive spot here did I? Well, for the record, where in my post did I say anything about your actions being "stupid"? Where's one of your drama queen photos when you need one? :lol:

Personally, I don't give a shit how often you change yours, ok? But when you post something that is clearly just a bit anal-retentive and counterintuitive, (notice I DID NOT SAY STUPID) well, I am going to comment on it. Sorry, it's my nature. Especially when you fail to share with us, "The good reason you have for doing what you do".

Have a nice day!

:wub:

 

[Scythian]

Everytime I chage the gear oil on my 2006 it comes out black/greyish (I now how 6 k miles and have changed the gear oil 3 times). My long time service guy tells me that this isn't normal- so I call the Yamaha dealer and they tell me this is perfectly normal.
I do not feel any metal pieces on the magnet of the drain plug although there is plenty of black stuff on it.

So what's the store- should it drainout nice and yellow like when I first put it in or does it get black.

I am going to drain and change the gear oil again tonight after only 500 miles- if it is black does that mean I have a problem?

John

It should be black..... Like my soul.

 

[twowheelnut]

Mine still drains on the dark side and rates as one of the stankiest odors on the planet. :dntknw:

 

[Ignacio]

Mine comes out Cheeto colored and smelling.....which is good.....because I like cheese.

What does the Yamaha service schedule call for? Like every 15k or something like that? Mang, you need some other type of hobbies.

Actually, I thought it was the same schedule as the engine oil.....like every 4,000? I happen to be using the 5,000 mile custom one and change with the Mobil 1 Synthetic Gear Oil. Probably overkill, but if memory serves it was the 5th or so cycle where the opalesence of the moly finally diluted enough to where it wasn't noticable. Looked like shiny snot the first couple of times.

Those little moly molecules just don't know when it's time to leave the party!

 

[S76]

I have done 4 differential fluid changes in 10K miles and am still getting....Stuff. I also was getting concerned. I never thought it coud be just the left over moly. Good point.

Again, thanks to all the folks here for this info! Proof of concept for the forum for sure!

Gonna sleep better tonight.

 

[skyway]

What does the Yamaha service schedule call for? Like every 15k or something like that? Mang, you need some other type of hobbies.

Every 16K or 24 months according to yammi. I actually change mine more frequently than 16K, and oil changes for that matter. I mean how easy is it to do and what does it cost? You flog your bike, cheap insurance to change early IMO.

 

[SkooterG]

Every 16K or 24 months according to yammi. I actually change mine more frequently than 16K, and oil changes for that matter. I mean how easy is it to do and what does it cost? You flog your bike, cheap insurance to change early IMO.

Ahhhhh.......the "cheap insurance" justification. Yes, have heard that many times before. So just what IS "cheap insurance"?

If Yammie calls for replacement of the rear end oil every 16,000 miles, how often should it be changed for "cheap insurance"?

Every 10,000 miles?

Every 5,000 miles?

Every 2,000 miles?

Every 1,000 miles?

Every 500 miles?

How about every 25 miles? I mean if changing it more often than recommended is better, why go half-assed? Do it right damnit! I mean this is your baby. Your one and only FJR. You gonna get cheap on me? For the BEST cheap insurance on changing the rear end oil, SkooterG recommends changing your rear end oil every 25 miles.

See my point? Where does the madness end?

Sorry Skiwi, you walked right into that one. I was just waiting for somebody to open that door.

In the end, do whatever makes you feel good based on whatever voodoo you believe in. Just don't try to justify it to me masquerading as fact, or good and solid maitenance practices.

Ok, off soapbox. Have a good night and a pleasant tomorrow.

Too-da-loo!

 

[Ignacio]

Every 16K or 24 months according to yammi. I actually change mine more frequently than 16K, and oil changes for that matter. I mean how easy is it to do and what does it cost? You flog your bike, cheap insurance to change early IMO.

Really? OK, changing my regimen then. Every 15K.......because we all know if I need to do the 24 month thing.....well....I either have a major C3 injury......bought a Wing.......or talking to you from land of marinara.

 

[chickey191]

Every 16K or 24 months according to yammi. I actually change mine more frequently than 16K, and oil changes for that matter. I mean how easy is it to do and what does it cost? You flog your bike, cheap insurance to change early IMO.

Ahhhhh.......the "cheap insurance" justification. Yes, have heard that many times before. So just what IS "cheap insurance"?

If Yammie calls for replacement of the rear end oil every 16,000 miles, how often should it be changed for "cheap insurance"?

Every 10,000 miles?

Every 5,000 miles?

Every 2,000 miles?

Every 1,000 miles?

Every 500 miles?

How about every 25 miles? I mean if changing it more often than recommended is better, why go half-assed? Do it right damnit! I mean this is your baby. Your one and only FJR. You gonna get cheap on me? For the BEST cheap insurance on changing the rear end oil, SkooterG recommends changing your rear end oil every 25 miles.

See my point? Where does the madness end?

Sorry Skiwi, you walked right into that one. I was just waiting for somebody to open that door.

In the end, do whatever makes you feel good based on whatever voodoo you believe in. Just don't try to justify it to me masquerading as fact, or good and solid maitenance practices.

Ok, off soapbox. Have a good night and a pleasant tomorrow.

Too-da-loo!

so I think I'll set up a scott oiler using gear oil - crack that drain a smidge and put the scott oiler in the top using a wine cork. Total loss system. OUght to cycle through a quart every couple hundred miles, eh. ought to be beautiful oil coming out. I'll just have to remember to never take the same line through the curves on the way to and from work, eh?

come to think of it....that is just about how my old triumph oil was done

 

[Groo]

so I think I'll set up a scott oiler using gear oil - crack that drain a smidge and put the scott oiler in the top using a wine cork. Total loss system. OUght to cycle through a quart every couple hundred miles, eh. ought to be beautiful oil coming out. I'll just have to remember to never take the same line through the curves on the way to and from work, eh?

Damn, you beat me to it... I was reading through this thread thinking about posting just about the same thing... finagle up a continuous flowthrough system that circulates clean filtered gear oil in, and sucks out the old dirty stuff... heh...

 

[Scab]

Every 16K or 24 months according to yammi. I actually change mine more frequently than 16K, and oil changes for that matter. I mean how easy is it to do and what does it cost? You flog your bike, cheap insurance to change early IMO.

What month is this? Can Brundog finally change his?

 

[skyway]

Every 16K or 24 months according to yammi. I actually change mine more frequently than 16K, and oil changes for that matter. I mean how easy is it to do and what does it cost? You flog your bike, cheap insurance to change early IMO.

Ahhhhh.......the "cheap insurance" justification. Yes, have heard that many times before. So just what IS "cheap insurance"?

If Yammie calls for replacement of the rear end oil every 16,000 miles, how often should it be changed for "cheap insurance"?

Every 10,000 miles?

Every 5,000 miles?

Every 2,000 miles?

Every 1,000 miles?

Every 500 miles?

How about every 25 miles? I mean if changing it more often than recommended is better, why go half-assed? Do it right damnit! I mean this is your baby. Your one and only FJR. You gonna get cheap on me? For the BEST cheap insurance on changing the rear end oil, SkooterG recommends changing your rear end oil every 25 miles.

See my point? Where does the madness end?

Sorry Skiwi, you walked right into that one. I was just waiting for somebody to open that door.

In the end, do whatever makes you feel good based on whatever voodoo you believe in. Just don't try to justify it to me masquerading as fact, or good and solid maitenance practices.

Ok, off soapbox. Have a good night and a pleasant tomorrow.

Too-da-loo!

OK Mr. G, let me put it to you another way, so you may understand what gives me a warm oil change fuzzy feeling, and not go into tease mode cause we're in disagreement here.

I make fluid changes based on rides I have planned, since I always seem to have something in the works before I reach the target mileage recommended by yammi. Take for instance WPF in July, since I know you can relate to this ride in the very least. Keeping in mind the tach was sitting near or at the redline for 24hrs.

Fresh fluids heading out the door and then soon after once returning home. That ride, no doubt put a little strain on components and remember this engine has a wet clutch which also introduces contaminants to your entire engine and transmission.

Now, if you feel all warm and fuzzy about leaving everything in place until the service intervals, then you go right ahead. Me, for about $15-$20, I'm taking the conservative approach and putting all fresh inside for the road ahead.

Yes the ride mentioned is making an extreme example, then for other rides I taper off based on how I feel I treated my silver baby.

 

[04FJR4ME]

I am not going to argue with Greg, BUT ....

Changing oil is like taking showers, some people get away with taking a shower once a week and some like to take two a day, who is right? Once a day is enough for me!

The cleaner the engine internal parts are, the better it is for the engine, kind of like flushing your fuel injection system from time to time too.

Owning a few automotive repairs shops over 25+ years, I can tell you that the only secret with the older engine going over 100-200K miles use to be how frequent the oil was changed. you can always tell by how clean the engine is inside.

But that was then and now the oil is so much better and the engine last much longer so I can't say if changing the oil is going to make an engine go any longer. Hell, the tune ups use to be evvery 12K miles, now the new cars we drive don't need a tune up for 100K miles, go figure.

It is a piece of mind for me to change the oil and differential oil at the same time, why? Call it a CHEAP inspection, if you see any metal in the oil, you can have it looked at before it comes apart on you.

 


It is not for everyone, but it is something that is cheap to do especially if you are doing it yourself.

 


Heck, my father in law had a 1970 Cuda with over 100K miles that he NEVER changed OIL on, just added oil to it and that was it. I can't believe it myself but the damn car is still running. Now how many of you are going to stop changing your oil in you car for 100K miles?

 


I change my oil every 3K or evey year, which ever comes first, yeah, I know, I don't nearly ride enough to belong to this forum, but ask me if I care!

 


Am I going to tell you guys you never have to change oil? NO, but if you can get away with it, great.


For me, I like the therapy of working on my bike, but that's just me, what do I know?

 


Greg, hope I didn't piss you off to much!