The BSA A7-A10 Forum

Technical (Descriptive Topic Titles - Stay on Topic) => Gearbox, Clutch, Primary => Topic started by: u28909z on 28.08. 2014 13:43

Title: A10 Gear Box Oil
Post by: u28909z on 28.08. 2014 13:43

Hi

The handbook recommends straight 40 or 50 oil for the box (same as for the engine). I believe my box has been filled with an EP oil.

I  understood that EP oil was not a good idea, as it can attack the bush material. This does seem to be the case with pre unit Triumph boxes, and I have always used 50 grade engine oil in those.

Any thoughts on this, as I don't want to damage the A10 box.

Thanks

Title: Re: A10 Gear Box Oil
Post by: BSA_54A10 on 28.08. 2014 14:47

Way back when the bike was new, sulphur was the most common lubricant used in EP type oils.
Bad news is it attacks the interstitial phases in brass and bronze, turning them into a bad copy of a bad sinter.
This is why Bsa recommended engine oils in their gearboxes.
However from the 70's on most cars were fitted with synchromesh gearboxes and the syncro cone were made from bronze so the formulation of gearbox oils changed.
They used to be labled as "syncro safe".
OTOH a lot of trucks still use crash boxes so a lot of truck gearbox oils are not syncro safe.
Add to that a lot of trucks have very big boxes so a lot of truck boxes have no anti foam addatives and will tend to foam up and depart via the breather.

Title: Re: A10 Gear Box Oil
Post by: morris on 28.08. 2014 15:08

I use Penrite's gear box 30 grade and very happy with it

http://www.penriteoil.com.au/products.php?id_categ=14&id_subcateg=70&id_products=78

Title: Re: A10 Gear Box Oil
Post by: wilko on 29.08. 2014 00:20

Quote from: BSA_54A10 on 28.08. 2014 14:47

Way back when the bike was new, sulphur was the most common lubricant used in EP type oils.
Bad news is it attacks the interstitial phases in brass and bronze, turning them into a bad copy of a bad sinter.
This is why Bsa recommended engine oils in their gearboxes.
However from the 70's on most cars were fitted with synchromesh gearboxes and the syncro cone were made from bronze so the formulation of gearbox oils changed.
They used to be labled as "syncro safe".
OTOH a lot of trucks still use crash boxes so a lot of truck gearbox oils are not syncro safe.
Add to that a lot of trucks have very big boxes so a lot of truck boxes have no anti foam addatives and will tend to foam up and depart via the breather.

Try telling that on a few other sites and the diehards won't listen!

Title: Re: A10 Gear Box Oil
Post by: bsa-bill on 29.08. 2014 08:48

Quote

Try telling that on a few other sites and the diehards won't listen!

Agreed Wilko
They wont like my RGF when it's rewired, led indicators, electronic ignition, electronic VCU, led tail/brake and indicators, led arrow indicators for the indicators and digital volt and ammeter.
mind you not fitted yet ;)

Title: Re: A10 Gear Box Oil
Post by: duTch on 29.08. 2014 08:54

 WoW.....
 

Quote

They wont like my RGF when it's rewired, led indicators, electronic ignition, electronic VCU, led tail/brake and indicators, led arrow indicators for the indicators and digital volt and ammeter.
mind you not fitted yet ;)

I hope there's room left for a BSA indicator


                      *smile*

Title: Re: A10 Gear Box Oil
Post by: bsa-bill on 29.08. 2014 09:00

Quote

I hope there's room left for a BSA indicator

ah that's on me helmet

Title: Re: A10 Gear Box Oil
Post by: Topdad on 29.08. 2014 10:06

You're gonner be a busy bee with all that lot Bill ,how much current do the indicators draw by the way. BobH

Title: Re: A10 Gear Box Oil
Post by: bsa-bill on 29.08. 2014 10:28

HI Bob
were getting away from gearbox's so Ill put the pics up on another thread when all the stuff arrives