Spline grease: how much?

kwb210 · 11-05-2009, 11:37 PM

I am asking how much grease to apply to the splines. I cleaned them and they are dry and in perfect shape. Got the flux brush and applied the grease, I brushed the grease into each individual spline, no extra buildup, it kind of looks like I painted it. I have a brand new clutch, so the clutch splines are bare. does my picture look right? I was concerned about putting too much grease on and it then getting pushed back past the clutch plate and hitting the disk.
1977 R100
Thanks!
Kurt

manicmechanic · 11-06-2009, 12:19 AM

Looks good to me.

boxermaf · 11-06-2009, 10:39 AM

Seems fine.

I also tend to put just a little smeer of the stuff on the tip/end of the pushrod where it will press against the diaphragm spring - I've got the later style clutch 'carrier' assembly on my bike, but I think that the same general thing applies for yours. If you've already got it back together don't worry about it.

kwb210 · 11-06-2009, 10:54 AM

Thanks for the responses.
I will add a bit to the pushrod, good point. It goes together this weekend.
kurt

abe456 · 11-07-2009, 07:03 AM

That looks like Honda Moly on the splines. PGlaves has an article this month on spline lube, he thinks the Honda Moly isnt holding up like it should. I have to agree, it aint holding up on mine either, based on last inspection.

jforgo · 11-07-2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abe456

That looks like Honda Moly on the splines. PGlaves has an article this month on spline lube, he thinks the Honda Moly isnt holding up like it should. I have to agree, it aint holding up on mine either, based on last inspection.

Ditto here too. I also met another semilocal multi airhead owner who felt the same way, and noticed the same things as I about the Honda stuff. Where I have used the Honda stuff, I have noticed it coming thru the trans/engine gap. It is very slippery, which is desirable, but is also not very sticky, which is undesirable. You go back in, and the splines are dry. The Honda stuff just doesn't stay on, and to boot makes a mess in the clutch area, which is not good.
"everybody says" the Honda stuff is the rage, but from what I have seen, I will not be using it again.

habdala · 11-07-2009, 03:43 PM

has anyone here used the CRC Molly-Graph?

http://automotive.hardwarestore.com/...oz-622957.aspx

boxermaf · 11-07-2009, 05:28 PM

I would mix approx equal parts Honda moly 60 and some stickier grease of your choice for the application, and see how that goes. The stickier grease may help it to stay put better, and the moly 60 will keep it slippery.

In the airhead discussion @ BMWMOA in Johnson City, it was discussed that no one needed 60% moly in this area, but that a reasonably high moly content was still desirable. If you've got some good sticky grease and cut it with moly 60 (essentially ending up with a stickier moly "30"), I think you'd be fine.

20774 · 11-07-2009, 06:05 PM

I've been mixing a Chevron NLGI 2 Ultra Duty red grease (very sticky and stringy) with about 30% moly or wheel bearing grease. Seems to work pretty well. I first read about it from Snowbum a number of years back...he talks about it on his website.

enfoman · 11-07-2009, 08:23 PM

What about some moly sixty and some Fifth wheel grease? Some of that stuff I used in the past is like tar in it's Stickiness!

kwb210 · 11-07-2009, 09:13 PM

Grease is from Northwoods Airheads, for $4.00 bucks I was happy to have someone else mix up a batch.

http://www.northwoodsairheads.com/Tools.html

SPLINE LUBE GREASE If you don't want to buy
enough grease for 100 spline lubes I've packaged
small amounts of a combination of moly 60 and a
very sticky Chevron grease. Enough for 2-3 spline
lubes. Includes cut down acid swap, add a piece of
1/4" dowel and it's a great tool for cleaning splines
and applying grease.
$4.00 + $3.00 postage

11-06-2009, 12:19 AM	#2
manicmechanic ABC,AMA(LIFE),MOA,RA,IBMW Join Date: May 2003 Location: Manitowoc, Wisconsin Posts: 1,259	Looks good to me. __________________ 1976 R90/6, 2002 R1150RT-P F.O.G.Rider, Rounder #6 National Rally Head Bartender

11-06-2009, 10:39 AM	#3
boxermaf Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 189	Seems fine. I also tend to put just a little smeer of the stuff on the tip/end of the pushrod where it will press against the diaphragm spring - I've got the later style clutch 'carrier' assembly on my bike, but I think that the same general thing applies for yours. If you've already got it back together don't worry about it. __________________ BMWs in my garage: Tillie, 1982 R65LS looking for a Bavarian stablemate

11-07-2009, 03:43 PM	#7
habdala Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: NOVA Posts: 90	Crc has anyone here used the CRC Molly-Graph? http://automotive.hardwarestore.com/...oz-622957.aspx

11-07-2009, 05:28 PM	#8
boxermaf Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 189	I would mix approx equal parts Honda moly 60 and some stickier grease of your choice for the application, and see how that goes. The stickier grease may help it to stay put better, and the moly 60 will keep it slippery. In the airhead discussion @ BMWMOA in Johnson City, it was discussed that no one needed 60% moly in this area, but that a reasonably high moly content was still desirable. If you've got some good sticky grease and cut it with moly 60 (essentially ending up with a stickier moly "30"), I think you'd be fine. __________________ BMWs in my garage: Tillie, 1982 R65LS looking for a Bavarian stablemate

11-07-2009, 06:05 PM	#9
20774 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,264	I've been mixing a Chevron NLGI 2 Ultra Duty red grease (very sticky and stringy) with about 30% moly or wheel bearing grease. Seems to work pretty well. I first read about it from Snowbum a number of years back...he talks about it on his website. __________________ Kurt '78 R100/7 & '69 R69S mine-ineye-deatheah-pielayah-jooa-kalayus. oolah-minane-hay-meeriah-kal-oyus-algay-a-thaykin', buddy!

11-06-2009, 10:54 AM	#4
kwb210 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Washington, the state Posts: 79	Thanks for the responses. I will add a bit to the pushrod, good point. It goes together this weekend. kurt

11-07-2009, 07:03 AM	#5
abe456 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 97	That looks like Honda Moly on the splines. PGlaves has an article this month on spline lube, he thinks the Honda Moly isnt holding up like it should. I have to agree, it aint holding up on mine either, based on last inspection.

11-07-2009, 08:23 PM	#10
enfoman ENFOMAN Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Albany NY area Posts: 92	What about some moly sixty and some Fifth wheel grease? Some of that stuff I used in the past is like tar in it's Stickiness! __________________ Enfoman R1200C http://www.linkedin.com/in/voicechoice

11-07-2009, 09:13 PM	#11
kwb210 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Washington, the state Posts: 79	grease is from Northwoods Airheads Grease is from Northwoods Airheads, for $4.00 bucks I was happy to have someone else mix up a batch. http://www.northwoodsairheads.com/Tools.html SPLINE LUBE GREASE If you don't want to buy enough grease for 100 spline lubes I've packaged small amounts of a combination of moly 60 and a very sticky Chevron grease. Enough for 2-3 spline lubes. Includes cut down acid swap, add a piece of 1/4" dowel and it's a great tool for cleaning splines and applying grease. $4.00 + $3.00 postage