Apologies.....what final drive oil for R1200S!

StreetFlatTwin · Post by **StreetFlatTwin** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 12:16 pm

Sorry guys I know the whole oil thing has been done to death and I have used the search bu can't find exactly what I am looking for.

So what exact oil are recommended for the final drives both spec and manufacturer? Fully/semi synthetic?

I plan on swapping the final drive oil and want to get it right!!

Oh and should the gearbox oil be changed as well?? Bike is on 10k and is a 2007 bike.

Thanks again!

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 12:33 pm

I always use the castrol syntrax 75w 90 that BMW recommend. It also used to be known as SAF XO I think but they had a rebrand.

It's the same stuff they use in the gearbox. PM me your email and I will send you the BMW instructions. Note, the latest service instructions show a reduced quantity of oil from the originally published quantity.

StreetFlatTwin · Post by **StreetFlatTwin** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 1:24 pm

D'oh just realised how do you hold the bike up when you take the rear wheel off?? I have a rear paddock stand but obviously can't use that!

Trolley jack underneath the sump-cat (with wood to spread the weight??)

PS -I don't have an ABBA stand!

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 1:30 pm

ABBA stand is a good investment, you can get both wheels off the ground at the same time if need be then as well.

If you can't borrow a suitable stand then you will have to try to rig something. Heath Robinson style.

Droptarotter · Post by **Droptarotter** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 5:59 pm

This job is awkward without some proper stands.

Is there any way you can secure the front end down before you lift the bike to remove the rear wheel.

Reason I ask is you will be pushing/pulling/fiddling when trying to get the drive splines lined up.

I do mine by putting the front wheel in my Handy lift wheel vice, get the torque arm, caliper and any other parts ready for removal.

I then put a scissor jack under the front part of the swing arm, remove rear wheel, and then swing the final drive down to drain.

Hope this helps.

tanneman · Post by **tanneman** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 7:12 pm

Hi Streetflattwin, have a look at the BMW link where you can download the manual for your bike. Just in case some one lost their manual it can be found on BMW website under the service tab.

http://www.bmw-motorrad.com/com/en/inde ... &notrack=1

StreetFlatTwin · Post by **StreetFlatTwin** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 10:43 pm

Thanks for the assistance and advice.

I'll put the front wheel against the garage wall to stop the bike moving forward then jack the bike up from underneath the engine.

So just to confirm if I order some Castrol syntrax 75w 90 I can use this in the final drive (180ml) and ALSO in the gearbox (800-900ml)???

Once I get round to swapping the final drive and gearbox oil I'll put up a few pictures of the oil for comparison!!!

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 10:38 am

Yes, you can use the same Castrol Syntrax Longlife 75W-90 oil in both gearbox and final drive.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-737-castrol ... 5w-90.aspx

For the gearbox it calls for API GL 5. I have no idea what any of that means, but the above product meets this spec.

Some more recent documents seem to call out EPX 80w-90, which is a cheaper product. So seeing as you have to buy 2 bottles, as you need approx 1.1 litres (typical) you could buy one of each.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-724-castrol ... r-oil.aspx

StreetFlatTwin · Post by **StreetFlatTwin** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 11:08 am

Thanks a lot Herb I ordered the correct oils from Opie this morning!!

Thanks again for all your help!!

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 2:34 pm

Another point I forgot. Since they introduced the service interval to the maintenance free final drive, BMW also changed the support bolt from a single use (ovalised) bolt to a standard bolt, washer and loctite. You will need to get this from BMW. Only costs a few pence.

paulR · Post by **paulR** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 10:05 am

Hi all,

Not been on here for quite a while but I've still got my R1200S and am thinking it is time I replaced the final drive oil. Can someone point me in the right direction as to how to go about it please?

Thanks,

Paul

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 10:37 am

PM me your email and I will send you the BMW service instruction. There are other ways to do it which don't involve dropping the unit downwards to drain the oil, but I prefer to follow the BMW method. That way I know all of the old oil is out.

You will need to buy a big syringe, I got one from my vet, without the needle, and used it with a bit of clean fuel hosing.

paulR · Post by **paulR** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:15 pm

Herb wrote:PM me your email and I will send you the BMW service instruction. There are other ways to do it which don't involve dropping the unit downwards to drain the oil, but I prefer to follow the BMW method. That way I know all of the old oil is out.

You will need to buy a big syringe, I got one from my vet, without the needle, and used it with a bit of clean fuel hosing.

Great, thanks Jim, PM sent.

eyore · Post by **eyore** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:35 pm

Herb wrote:You will need to buy a big syringe, I got one from my vet, without the needle, and used it with a bit of clean fuel hosing.

Ooooohh Matron. Could we just stick to motorcycle maintenance please Herb.

Herb · Post by **Herb** » Thu Sep 05, 2013 1:28 pm

Someone seems to have a dirty mind.....what you get up to in your own time....