general maintenance

I am doing some maint. on my wifes 85 maxim x and was wondering how often should you change the oil in th eshaft drive and how much it takes and what I should use in it. I have ordered a service manual for it but would like to get this done before i get it. Also what oil do you guys use for oil changes?
thanks

 

If I'm not mistaken, it's at least every 2 years (don't think that was likely with any of my bikes!) 200 CC ' s , a straight 80 weight hypoid gear lube.

Motor oil ? I've been using synthetics for 12 years and never blown an engine, so I'm sold. But these bike transmissions gears shear the oil, and between clutch wear and the heat of an air cooled engine, the oil should be changed often.
Never put an "energy saving" oil with friction modifiers in any bike with a wet clutch. You should be fine with a name brand 40 weight.

 

80 or 90 wt gear oil, fill to bottom of threads on filler hole (slowly)
i don't talk about motor oil

 

Yup - like they said - every 2-5 years, use a good quality 80-90 wt Hypoid gear oil, and the rear drive is fine.

Motor oil is a nasty bag of worms - pick something you like and go with it.

 

I gave up Motor Oil for My New Years Resolution

 

That worries me, AF. I've seen your Seca and it runs great. Won't giving up motor oil eventually harm your engine? :wink:

 

I guess I wasn't talking about brands I was thinking more weights. I should have asked what I was thinking, I thought you could read my mind LOL

 

There's a few oils that cause the least amount of friction around here (pun intended guys) A diesel service oil found at Wal-Mart - Rotella - T 15W40 is about $2.00 a quart. Castrol GTX, but not the thin stuff with the friction modifiers, is about $3.50 a quart. Synthetic motorcycle specific Amsoil, or Mobil 1 20W50 or 10W40 is about $6.00 a quart. Yamaha dealer oil is $10 a quart (yikes!)

Your location says USA. I'm in Florida, and I wouldn't run a 30 weight due to the heat.

 

Rotella-T 15W40? I have that in she shop for the power stroke that works in bikes? How much does the maxim x hold?
thanks

 

You may find this interesting if you haven't already seen it. http://www.maxim-x.com/oil_change.html It's the most in depth look at motorcycle oil i've come across.