Final drive oil level?

[baldwithglasses]

I'm finally playing 'responsible Airhead owner" and doing my maintenance on the ol'

What's the correct oil level I should use on my final drive? In my Clymer's, it mentions both an oil filler hole and an oil level check hole.

Huh?

Which is it- do I fill up to the oil level check hole, or to the oil filler hole as per Clymer's?

[srb]

What is the year and model of your Airhead?

[kstoo]

which reminds me ... I just changed all the fluids on the R100 this weekend, it would be a good time to double check levels.
Please excuse my flaking Lesters, just concentrate on the oil level.
Note: ALWAYS use a torque wrench on fill/drain plugs that thread into aluminum!! This is the second bike that I have boughten that I had damaged threads on the final drive. That was an extra $60 added to the final drive rebuild. Sure is good now.

[baldwithglasses]

Thanks, srb.

It's a 1982 R65.

One of the AdvRider guys said to use 350 cc of oil total.

Good suggestion, kstoo

[20774]

Note: ALWAYS use a torque wrench on fill/drain plugs that thread into aluminum!!

IMO, I think this is a little dangerous. I'm speaking from a point of having worked on my bikes (and other cars/trucks) for quite a few years, but it's really best to develop a feel for tightness rather than resort to a torque wrench. This fill plug, for instance, doesn't need to be that tight...just snug. And getting a torque wrench into this location is a bit cumbersome. There's always the danger of reading in-lbs and using a ft-lb torque wrench. There are of course some fasteners on the bike that absolutely need a torque wrench, but it's really a small number.

If one wants to use a torque wrench in these situations, be absolutely sure of the setting and calibration of the wrench. Make sure the wrench is correct for the level of torque. No wrench should be used in the bottom or top 10-15% of the range. I'd also deliberately use a value slightly less than the prescribed amount for a measure of safety. Be aware there are wrong published torque values out there, even in BMW manuals. Some conversions from N-m to ft-lbs were in error. Always confirm the setting from mulitple sources.

[bikerfish1100]

final drive fills to bottom of threads (that's got to be the "oil level check hole" from your Clymer's, as there ain't no other). If shaft is seperate, use what it calls for.

[srb]

Bald--your bike would have the oil level check hole on the back of the Final Drive. It should be different than the picture that kstoo posted. The oil level check hole is for us to know when we've got enough oil. When filling the FD when it comes out the check hole on the back then wait for it to stop coming out, button her up and yer done. It is always better to drain fluid from a hot FD, take a nice 15-20 mile ride before draining. Many folks will tell you to use the measure method (proper amount) vs. the oil check hole.

[lkchris]

A "responsible" Airhead owner has an owners manual and consults it.

Oil level is described therein.

[baldwithglasses]

Thanks, lkchris- I didn't think condecention was part of this forum, but Thank Jeebus you contributed.

Do you have an original owner's manual for a 1982 BMW r65 that you'd like to sell?

Waitaminnit- what's that great ADVrider sticker say... FYYFF or something?

[GregFeeler]

Bald--your bike would have the oil level check hole on the back of the Final Drive. It should be different than the picture that kstoo posted. The oil level check hole is for us to know when we've got enough oil. When filling the FD when it comes out the check hole on the back then wait for it to stop coming out, button her up and yer done. It is always better to drain fluid from a hot FD, take a nice 15-20 mile ride before draining. Many folks will tell you to use the measure method (proper amount) vs. the oil check hole.

What oil level check hole are you referring to? I don't recall seeing any BMW airhead final drives with any more than a drain and fill plug.

[cjack]

What oil level check hole are you referring to? I don't recall seeing any BMW airhead final drives with any more than a drain and fill plug.

In '81 on airheads BMW started putting an 8mm bolt in the back of the drive which was the fill to this level hole as I remember.

[GregFeeler]

In '81 on airheads BMW started putting an 8mm bolt in the back of the drive which was the fill to this level hole as I remember.

:doh

[PGlaves]

In '81 on airheads BMW started putting an 8mm bolt in the back of the drive which was the fill to this level hole as I remember.

I think that year is correct.

Older final drives had a "fill to the bottom of the threads" hole on the right side.

Newer final drives had to be filled via the breather vent hole at the top - it unscrewed - and was full when the oil reached an "overflow" hole roughly centered in the back of the final drive.

[crazydrummerdude]

Thanks, lkchris- I didn't think condecention was part of this forum, but Thank Jeebus you contributed.

Do you have an original owner's manual for a 1982 BMW r65 that you'd like to sell?

Waitaminnit- what's that great ADVrider sticker say... FYYFF or something?

:ha




:hide

For what it's worth, my finaldrive(s) look(s) like the one previously pictured, and I fill it up to the bottom of the threads.

[535is]

A "responsible" Airhead owner has an owners manual and consults it.

Oil level is described therein.
Gee; "Call me irresponsible." My bike came with no papers whatsoever prior to its first US title in 1991. Got any ideas where one might procure a 1978 owners manual for less than the ~$125 I see for similar manuals on ebay?