Winter Final Drive Lube Change?? Help!!

Do you guys change your final drive lube in the winter?

It's a tough one for me to call. We've had highs in the 30s and even in the 20s today. But here in NJ it can go up to the 50s for a week or two. These temps straddle the 41 degrees Fahrenheit for changing. I want to ride today in the twenties to test my new Hippo Hands, but I don't want to do damage to the bike. What do you guys do???

Thanks!!
Tom

Below is from the shop manual.


Drive Train
Primary Reduction System:
Type Gear
Reduction Ratio 1.517 (85/56)
Clutch Type Wet multi disc
Transmission:
Type 5-speed, constant mesh, return shift
Gear Ratios:
1st 2.500 (40/16)
2nd 1.590 (35/22)
3rd 1.192 (31/26)
4th 0.965 (28/29)
5th 0.781 (25/32)
Final Drive System:
Type Shaft
Reduction Ratio 2.619 (15/21 × 33/9)
Overall Drive Ratio 3.105 @Top gear
Final Gear Case Oil:
Grade API Service Classification: GL-5 Hypoid gear oil
Viscosity SAE90 (above 5°C),
SAE80 (below 5°C)<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Capacity 200 mL (6.76 US oz)

[dantama]

I've ridden all year on all of my Nomads, and use 90. My highest mileage Nomad was 63,000 miles and I've never had a problem.

I'd go the easy way and use the same for summer and winter. I didn't do the conversion from Celsius on your post, but I rode in 20 degree weather a lot.

Thanks a million Dan!!

[oledawg]

Most I know use Mobil 1 75w-90w Syn.
I've used it in all my Bikes since 2001 and think
its great. ;)

[ringadingh]

I use 90 also with no ill effects for all seasons. The most important thing is to make sure it has the GL5 rating.

Thanks Ole Dawg!! Thanks Ringadingh!! And thanks again Dan!!
My dealer doesn't know the 1600.They had to order my Nomad. They sell a lot of crotch rockets and Kaw 900s. You guys have the collective knowledge on a specific machine that a multi-brand dealer never gets.

Thanks!!
Tom

[creed]

I am using a Honda shaft drive gear oil that is GL5 rated, says it is 80W90, suggesting it would work across the temp ranges for the Nomad and not require changing by season.

On my Honda Shadow I switched over at some point to Mobil One 75-90W synthetic and never had any problems, though I still changed it out at every change of the motor oil just out of habit. I recall some talk on this forum that for the Nomad, whatever the problem is with the drive shaft seals leaking if gear lube is filled to Kawa spec (bike upright), that may be more of an issue with syn gear lube than with conventional. So I have not yet switched over to Mobil One in my Nomad.

[macmac]

I run this too, Mobil 1 75w-90w Syn. There is so little oil in there it heats up fast anyway. I use this oil for a little assistance in MPG's.

Use some caution filling that box, as it can be over filled very easy doing exactly what the book says.

I would not add more than 6 ounces if I were you. What many of us do is place the side stand on a 2x4 so the bike still leans some.

Many of us also change this oil when ever we change engine oil.

There is no way even 6.2 oz will last any 24,000 miles. That oil takes a real beating, and there isn't a well deep enough in the case. This allows the oil to be sheared, crushed, and heated too much and too fast.

Over filling it cause seals to drown and once drowned seals never stop leaking.