Checking Oil level in the grearbox and rear end

[toomanybikes]

Is there a way to verify the oil levels in the gearbox and the rear end??

[deilenberger]

Gearbox is filled to the "fill plug" on the right side. Remove plug, stick pinky in hole, if it gets oil on it - the level is fine. Rear drive is filled by volume. No way I know to check level except by drain/replace oil. Unless there has been a leak - there should be no reason to worry about the oil level of either.

I'll be changing both of mine this afternoon sometime - 24,000 mile service time. IIR - I'll take a few photos.

[Byrdguy]

On the 08 and newer FDs, how do you refill after draining. The drain plug is on the bottom so the FD doesn't need to be unbolted and tilted. I'm doing the 600 mi service and it calls for a drain and refill of the FD.

[deilenberger]

On the 08 and newer FDs, how do you refill after draining. The drain plug is on the bottom so the FD doesn't need to be unbolted and tilted. I'm doing the 600 mi service and it calls for a drain and refill of the FD.

AFAIK - you remove the speed sensor, just like the older drives. Nice that you don't have to swing the drive down.

I found an 8oz squeeze bottle (from "RideOn" - tire sealant) came with a piece of tubing that fits on it (meant to go over the valve stem in the tire/rim) - 8oz works out to 237cc's - so it worked fine for getting 230cc's (refill amount) into the drive. It is rather slow - if you try to rush it - the oil backs up and starts dribbling back out.

[Byrdguy]

Excellent info, Thanks, Don.