Hitchcocks Forum

Hi I want to look at topping up my 4 speed gearbox on 93 Bullet 500. I noticed some oil dripping from the drain plug so tightened it and the leak seemed to stop but I dont know whats in there or its condition. I am confused as to what to put in there I have seen a youtube video of a guy warming up a concoction of snotty grease on the stove and squeezing it in but have read posts saying just to use engine oil or thick gear oil but not EP90. Some posts say to use synthetic oil but knowing my bikes tendancy to leak, grease seems like the best option. I have looked up Veedol but all that comes up is old antique rusty tins. Has any body tried Shell Gadus grease I have seen tubes of that available. Also some people say to add black molly I have a tub of black cv joint lith molly grease is that the stuff? Will general purpose grease be ok I have a tub of that as well.

Hi 00 grease is used in tractors and ag macinery, no trouble getting it in aust 2litre can costs about $30.00 warming it up helps pouring. Think box takes 700 gm. Use disposable gloves pretty sticky stuff. Box was made to use grease similar box used on lathes.

As a matter of fact, the recommendations in the old Redditch manuals state engine oil for the gearboxes. The grease thing resulted from Indian bodging, but it can be used if you prefer. I put 20/50 in my gearboxes, be they British or Indian, with no problems or leaks. The drag from using grease will also soak up more of what little power there is going to the rear wheel.

I still have the grease in and it'll stay till I need to be in the gearbox. It's a bit of a chore to get it out.
I have put a dollop of black Moly in there as well, which thins the grease down considerably.

Hi Pete what is Black Molly, do you mean black lith/moly grease like they use on CV joints?

That's the stuff.

Cheers Pete I have some of that stuff in the garage so will stick a bit in along with my SAE 140.

On my 1999 Indian 500 I replaced the grease with 90w gearbox oil, as explained in Pete Snidal's manual. After a good ride, drain what grease you can from the gearbox and top up with SAE30 oil. Repeat until the grease/oil is thin enough to drain completely, and then refill with the 90w oil. It didn't leak a drop afterwards and the gearchange was a lot easier.