Need opinions, 80w85w Pro Honda racing transmission oil in rear drive?

[Scottsscooter]

I have a friend that says he is going to use this in the rear drive of his new f6b.... I read on it and it seems its formulated for the cr and 4 wheeler transmissions. Its sounds like great additives and such, but to me it just doesn't seem right since it doesn't say anything about using it in our rear shaft drive rear drives. Anybody have any experience and understanding of this lube in the rear drive of our machines? I just disagree, but the weight is right it seems? Is it just superior lube? Thats what he is thinking..... ANd oh ya, I don't see where it says anything about GL4 or GL5 rated. Honda's are so well made, you could probably put cambells tomato soup in the rear drive and it would work. ha ha

[goldstar903]

Scott, read this:

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Shaft.html 

[hubcapsc]

Honda's are so well made, you could probably put cambells tomato soup in the rear drive and it would work.   <--- this

But still, I would try to use something that matches the specs in the manual...

-Mike

[Robert]

Transmission fluid is different than rear end fluid because the gears and sometimes syncro requirement are different in a trans. It depends on alot of things, like how the trans is manufactured. I dont know the specs on the fluid he is using and yes Honda's can make do with a variety of oils but why would you want to experiment on a F6B that is in good condition possibly causing problems down the line. Whats worse is to wound the bike in such a way that the damage is not bad enough to replace a 1k rear gear unit so you live with a problem for the life of the bike. The friction modifiers if any in trans fluid are different than those in rear fluid also. When you can go to a auto parts store and spend 8 to 24 dollars on one quart of rear oil and use it almost for the life of the bike it really sounds kind of crazy to use something you are not sure of.

[Scottsscooter]

I agree with you all. I was saying to my friend I wondered if Honda made  quart bottles of rear end lube and he said he used this racing stuff I just named here, so I went to get a bottle and read on back and just couldn't believe he was putting transmission lube in his rear drive. I thought right there, wrong stuff I'm not using that stuff...
 How do you change the mind of an old timer  that is one of the most knowledgeable about mechanics I know but thinking, to use this stuff there?  It just boggles my mind...  so I came here to find out any info to have him double check... do you think I can call honda techs?

[Kidd]

I am gonna use nothing but pure organic  carrot juice in mine , nothin' but the best for my Valk 

Honda's are so well made, you could probably put cambells tomato soup in the rear drive and it would work.   <--- this

But still, I would try to use something that matches the specs in the manual...

-Mike

[AdrianR]

Nutts, just nutts..

Use Amsoil's pure synthetic GEAR oil.

[dans2014]

  I understand prune and lime juice make a nice movement in all differentials!!!

[Robert]

I agree with you all. I was saying to my friend I wondered if Honda made  quart bottles of rear end lube and he said he used this racing stuff I just named here, so I went to get a bottle and read on back and just couldn't believe he was putting transmission lube in his rear drive. I thought right there, wrong stuff I'm not using that stuff...
 How do you change the mind of an old timer  that is one of the most knowledgeable about mechanics I know but thinking, to use this stuff there?  It just boggles my mind...  so I came here to find out any info to have him double check... do you think I can call honda techs?

If he has been wrenching that long he must have some experience using the fluid he uses. You have the choice to not use what he uses but trying to tell him not to use it when you dont have the experience and knowledge is pretty tough. I would keep my mouth shut and let him use what he wants in his bike. It will probably be ok but without specs which is the real problem you cannot tell for sure without, you guessed it experience.

[goldstar903]

From what i have read Belray Transmission Oil 80W-85, can be used in all separate motorcycle gear boxes. If it can handle a gear box, I think it can be used in our rear drive. I just changed to Valvoline Full Synthetic, 75W-90. To each his/her own. For $12 I can change the fluid 7-8 times. He's probably done this forever and had good luck, so why change? 

[Robert]

Just looked into what it says you can use that fluid for and may have found your silver bullet. Wet clutches and it promotes less clutch slippage, you cannot use rear end oil in the trans as it will cause the clutch to slip and burn out. Maybe this is what you could tell your long time mechanic.    That alone is enough to say there is a big difference in the two fluids. Although I still doubt it will do damage I also dont think it is the best fluid to use.

Pro-Honda HP Trans Oil SAE 80W/85W
High-performance racing transmission oil specially formulated for all Honda CR models.  Special anti-friction additives allow smoother shifting, while minimizing drag and power loss. Anti-shear additives increase clutch life, reducing clutch slippage.


This is from the Red Line site and talks about their GL5 oil as comparison to their NS or trans fluid for automotive use. So you can imagine how different it would be for a wet clutch rather than just synchros.

75W140 NS GL-5 Gear Oil

    Contains extreme pressure additives like our 75W140 GL-5 oil, but lacks friction modifiers to balance slipperiness

[Scottsscooter]

My friend thanked me for questioning him on using this in his rear drive. He's not going to use this stuff thats made for cr and atv transmissions. Thanks to all that helped me explain better to him what this is intended to be used for.