Hitchcocks Forum

I know the recommendations for engine/box/primary but wondered what do others use and what's their experience?
Does wtf for example have any beneficial effect in the primary case or will ordinary 20w50 do as well?
Is the 00 grease and oil mix necessary?
Essentially i'm wondering if I could thin down to just one type.
Thanks

Hi there. Mine is a 1992 500 Classic Bullet with over 54 thousand miles on it. Since I got it 3 years ago I have used ATF fluid in the primary case. It seems to work well, does not need top ups between changes (aprox 1500 miles)and does not leak. The chain is lubed by the duck bill breather being pointed at the gearbox sprocket - again works well and seems to need little adjustment for chain. The gear box uses 50/50 grease 20/50 engine oil because it does not have sealed bearings. I have a sealed bearing kit ready to go in when I have to open the box for any reason. The engine uses "supermarket special" 10/40 in winter and 20/50 in summer. Again no leaks and little top up required. Cables are lubricated using 3-in-1 oil or the stuff I have for my mtn bike cables. Occasional WD40 or GT85 spray into the handlebar switch gear, ignition switch and light switch. The grease nipples on clutch arm, swing arm and rear brake lever get a squirt of "general purpose" ie whatever is in the gun at the time grease when I remember. Hope this is helpful but after much past discussion on this site there will be as many opinions on oil and lubrication as there are owners. You decide but this works for me and my Bullet. Ian

1992 Bullet 500, about 40,000 on the clock. Engine Elcheapo 20/50 engine, if necessary straight 50 (my BSA engine oil) for the gear box, 15w fork oil for forks, primary drive & cable lube. Lynklife for drive chain, grease I use for BSA Plungers does for footbrake & clutch grease nipples.
Engine oil gets changed every 2,000 or so miles. Gear box never, primary drive every couple of years or so. Forks once a year. There are other opinions & preferences and they will be along shortly

hi m1ks ,i have a 350 bullet i use 20/50 in primary/gearbox and engine (note sealed bearings in gearbox)change engine oil and filter every 2000 miles primary oil and gearbox oil every 3000miles,i use Wilkinsons 20/50 it costs around £8.50 for 4.5lt s i put straight 20 grade in the forks ,gen purpose grease in all the greasing points alloy speedo drive ,clutch arm and rear brake lever pivot,rule of thumb i feel is to change the oil & filter regular and you,ll get good service from your bullet i restored mine in 3 hours yesterday including total repaint in drab olive with my old faithful brush this bike can be seen in the reoc gun magazine this months copy in our centre report all the best paul.

hi ian hope you are ok hope to see you soon all the best paul.

Hi Guys ----------- and hello m1ks again. Oooh, this is the Pandora's Box of any motoring forum I would think ?? OK, here's my ingredients (two Classic 500 Bullets--20,000 and 6,000 miles)}---- Eng. Oil = Comma 20-50 ( longer warming up in winter---2,000 miles change oil AND filter), Gearbox --- grease/oil & leave it alone !! , Forks--- (not sure if WTF is an appropriate grade/comment here matey--or just your mis-print ??).I use ATF-- Dextron or CARLUBE at 15weight. One bike has standard fork springs , the other Hitchcocks progressive,--- and in the primary drive as well. Once a week spray the chain (Wurth is a good make)and use it for the various pivot points also. Before oiling your cables identify if any have a nylon liner and DON'T USE WD40 etc but a silicone-based spray. And NO, you didn't mis-read the remark from GRUNDA 12 about a "restore" being done in 3Hrs--- you have to see his bike to understand the wisdom of that particular life-style (bike-style ??). There you go--- Finally, to answer your question as to just one type of oil ?? Well strictly speaking I suppose "yes, you could " ---- BUT}---- a)You would have to get the sealed gearbox bearings fitted first so that you can then use only oil in the box. ------- b) You then need to choose whether to keep the standard springs in the forks & use the same oil( that's going to be stiff indeed) OR change to progressive springs ( and have a slightly less stiff set-up)----- and c) Will this common oil be suitable in the primary ?? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I believe one lad in Yorkshire posted a while back saying he was running his bike on 20/50 only, so it must be ok in the primary. Like IAN MARTIN I also am waiting until I need to open the G'box and then will fit the sealed bearings and run on oil only---. Do give some thought to changing your Gearbox output sprocket to "Plus 1 tooth"---- if you do no other mod. this will be the best thing for relaxed engine running.

Hi all,
well, like has been said on this thread, everybody does it different.
For me 2001 500cc Classic which has done 42,000 miles now.
I work in a Harley Davidson Dealership, so I use HD 20/50 in the engine (change every 2000m)
HD Formular + in the primary Change every 2000m)
Veedol 00 Grease/HD 20/50 in the gearbox
(change every 10000m)
HD Type E fork oil (change every 10000m)
HD General Purpose Grease in nipples etc.
Linklife on drive chain + HD 20/50
(painted on weekly)
All the above works really well. I guess it's good for me as I get this stuff at cost, but it really isn't what you'd call expensive retail.

Hi Grunda 12 (Paul). All is good. I got home from a great trip to Ireland despite the extream cost of lifes essentials there. I am going to visit a Panther Owners camping weekend at Silverdale on Saturday and as soon as I can find the time I hope to get across the great divide to the Reindeer for one of the Yorkshire meets. See you soon. Ian

Hi Jon ---- nice to see you ride a Bullet. Is it to work as well? I bet that, even with all those Harley products on your bike you still don't get a nod back when passing a HOG out on the road, eh? I managed to get a reply recently----- only it turned out to be a POLICE BIKE !! Oh gawd.

Hello m1ks, I'm a 2004 classic 4 speed, my engine gets whatever is in the garage at the time,at present it's 10/40 semi synthetic diesel oil, the primary has ATF (the clutch doesn't slip anymore, it did when filled with 20/50), the gearbox has mix of 20/50 and bearing grease mixed into a nice sludge, the grease nipples get general purpose grease, the chain is cleaned with WD40, then lubricated with synthetic spray grease from the pound shop, also lubed via a duck bill from the engine, locks with WD40, in fact everything else you can think of with WD40, oh yes early forgot, my forks have never been touched. And lastly I am never cleaned with water, that's also done with WD40, after about 10k on the clock I'm still as good as new, well almost anyway!

Happy riding..Bertie