R12S quick service......thoughts on the oil

[StreetFlatTwin]

Thanks to guys on here I identified the right oils for my R12S and on waking it from its 6 month hibernation I finally gotten round to changing the fluids.

The engine oil was manky black and smelly (sorry no photos) so overdue for changing. I also dropped the gearbox oil and it smelled even worse and was a black/green/brown colour see here



To my uneducated eye it didn't seem too black and didn't have any "bits " in it which can only be a good thing!!

I still have the final drive to do once I figure out how to support the bike without the paddock stand!! (No abba stand) Once I do I'll try and take a few photos and let you guys have a look.

Thoughts?

[Gromit]

That gearbox oil looks fine to me, and as for the smell, all transmission oil smells dreadful imho. When I was building my Caterham 7 I had to fill the gearbox in that (from underneath) once it was installed and got some on my overalls when it spilt out of the filler hole. That was in 1997 and despite their many visits to the washing machine they still whiff of it now.

Used engine oil smells as it's always contaminated to a degree from the engine's combusting fuel.

[StreetFlatTwin]

Grommit thanks for that, Its always good to get a health check of the engine and gearbox.

1st time I drove it for 6 months (just to get the engine etc up to temp before dropping the oil) and DAMN they are fast!!! I forgot how fast after riding my old winter hack for the last 6 months!!

[Gromit]

Grommit thanks for that, Its always good to get a health check of the engine and gearbox.

1st time I drove it for 6 months (just to get the engine etc up to temp before dropping the oil) and DAMN they are fast!!! I forgot how fast after riding my old winter hack for the last 6 months!!

No problem.

At the end of the day, the oil is the lifeblood of the engine, and from what it looks like - as with spark plugs (when checking fuel/air mixture) we can ascertain the condition of the engine.

Yes - always a 'surprise' getting back on a quick bike after a long time off it. I rode the Blackbird last friday for the first time in ages - ye gods that thing's faaast!!

[Dai wiskers]

As Gromit has said gearbox oil has a odd smell, it always reminds me of old ladies that have too many cats in their home.

[el-nicko]

As Gromit has said gearbox oil has a odd smell, it always reminds me of old ladies that have too many cats in their home.

Spot-on mate.

[conkerman]

More onion, garlicky to me.

Due to the high sulphur additive dontcha know.

Minging stuff.

[Dai wiskers]

More onion, garlicky to me.

Due to the high sulphur additive dontcha know.

Minging stuff.

Your getting your oils mixed up the one that smells onion garlicky is neam oil used in organic gardening as pest control, also very good if you need a personal pesticide!

Gear oil to me smells like cat p1ss

Talking of smells i'm looking for a supplier of Castrol R to bring back some memories of my BSA days

[nab 301]

Talking of smells i'm looking for a supplier of Castrol R to bring back some memories of my BSA days

What are you going to run it in? I know someone who said he used to add a little to the petrol of his lawnmower .....

[Droptarotter]

I have 2 quarts left of Castrol R that I have been putting into my lawn mower.

Speaking of oil smells.........you guys should hav e got a whiff of the 40 year old fork oil that came out of my Hodaka......

Cheers

[South_Oz]

I put a cap full of Castrol R in the tank of my R11s when a few of us go for a ride. "You running racing fuel in that?" is the usual question I get asked.

Dave

[Dai wiskers]

Talking of smells i'm looking for a supplier of Castrol R to bring back some memories of my BSA days

What are you going to run it in? I know someone who said he used to add a little to the petrol of his lawnmower .....

Everything just for the smell