How to Fill Norge Gearbox/Transmission?

[JeffOlson]

Whoever came up with the idea of putting a lubricant fill hole on the SIDE of something, rather than on top? Were they drunk?

Manuel says the fluid level is correct if it touches the bottom of the fill hole, i.e., whatever remains after the rest has leaked out is the proper amount.

Of course, I don't have the proper spritzing bottle, just a kludgy funnel. So, I put my Norge on its side stand, slop some gear oil in, dribbling a bit on the ground, then set it up on the center stand and allow the excess to dribble out onto the ground...  Am I doing it right?

[ITSec]

Using your method, put in just over 500ml of oil. That's the nominal capacity, and any that dribbles out will be reduced.

I'm sorta surprised the bottle doesn't have the nozzle tip - that's on most brands of the gear oil bottles.

[OlderSlower]

Next time buy gear oil with a nozzle tip and just squeeze directly into the hole until it drips out.  OMG did that sound perverted or do I just have a dirty mind?  Anyway, that is a simple way to fill the gear box. Uh oh...

[Bisbonian]

I went down to Walmart and bought a funnel with a long hose attached. It has a nice cap on the end of the hose and with a hard plastic nipple that fits nicely into the transmission hole on the Guzzi.

The funnel also has capacities marked on the side of it so you can measure the fluid going in.

Lastly, it has a shut-off twist valve built in so you can do your filling and measuring with the funnel and then carry it over to the bike without dripping all over the place.

[guzzisteve]

I use an 80/90 Qt bottle w/nozzle tip w/hose on it, cut off bottom, make 2 holes for hanger tie wraps, hook on handlebar w/bunge. It runs in, same w/rear, no hose on tip for it.

Wanna buy one, sell it for $10.

Hey OlderSlower,  No not dirty but if you would have said jizz it would have been.

 

[normzone]

Guys who ride the Norge are willing to put up with a different kind of hassle.

I knew a fellow who would pull the drainplug and empty the gearbox, then invert the bike and refill it through the same port. He said it minimized wear and tear on the threads in the filler plug.

[Waterbottle]

I bought a Gear Oil Mini Pump Bottle, It holds a quart and has markings on the side. very simple to use, no mess 

[MLR]

Just curious, was your fluid low or are you changing it? I know you mentioned a mysterious squealing noise a while back.

[fotoguzzi]

Whoever came up with the idea of putting a lubricant fill hole on the SIDE of something, rather than on top? 

I don't have a Norge but that does sound stupid..

[ITSec]

I don't have a Norge but that does sound stupid..

Of course, this same design has been used on almost every Guzzi for gawd knows how long...

[pete roper]

Of course, this same design has been used on almost every Guzzi for gawd knows how long...

Only exception being the V7-II 'Nuovo Six Speed' which has just the fill plug in the top and no level plug. This is boring as if you overfill it accidentally it blurts its oil out all over the top of the box!

Pete

[lucky phil]

Of course, this same design has been used on almost every Guzzi for gawd knows how long...

Its been used on just about every oil filled automotive transmission and rear drive both car and bike since time began ( there will always be the odd exception of course) Its a sensible and almost bullet proof method of getting the level correct.
If they put it on top then I guess the OP would be complaining about it always being over/under filled

Ciao

[ITSec]

Its been used on just about every oil filled automotive transmission and rear drive both car and bike since time began ( there will always be the odd exception of course) Its a sensible and almost bullet proof method of getting the level correct.
Ciao

Well, not to quibble (but I will) - cars I've owned going back to a 1967 Fairlane 500 XL had a top-mounted filler and dipstick for the automatic transmission. Guzzis on the other hand have been consistent with the primitive but effective method that is the topic of this discussion.

Differentials (and rear drives) are a bit of a special thing, since auto construction makes them more difficult to check and service. 

[JeffOlson]

My gearbox was squealing a bit, so I checked it and found it a bit low. I will be sure to mention this when I take it in for its next service and they go to change the gearbox fluid again...

[lucky phil]

Well, not to quibble (but I will) - cars I've owned going back to a 1967 Fairlane 500 XL had a top-mounted filler and dipstick for the automatic transmission. Guzzis on the other hand have been consistent with the primitive but effective method that is the topic of this discussion.

Differentials (and rear drives) are a bit of a special thing, since auto construction makes them more difficult to check and service. 

As I said there are always exceptions and yes as you point out most Automatic transmissions are from the top. So lets qualify my original post to read manual gearboxes:)

Ciao

[Huzo]

Guys who ride the Norge are willing to put up with a different kind of hassle.

I knew a fellow who would pull the drainplug and empty the gearbox, then invert the bike and refill it through the same port. He said it minimized wear and tear on the threads in the filler plug.

Umm.... Can you let us off now, or is the bad news that you're not joking ???!

[JeffOlson]

Actually, there is something to be said for Moto Guzzi's primitive way. They should put all the fill holes on the right side, including the motor oil fill hole, so they are easy to fill while the bike is on its side stand. Then, before closing up all the fill holes, one can lift the bike upright and let the excess dribble out onto the ground. Then, put the bike back on its side stand and close it up. Done! No dipsticks needed. (Just a bit of oil to clean up off the ground--or not!)

[Darren Williams]

Actually, there is something to be said for Moto Guzzi's primitive way. They should put all the fill holes on the right side, including the motor oil fill hole, so they are easy to fill while the bike is on its side stand. Then, before closing up all the fill holes, one can lift the bike upright and let the excess dribble out onto the ground. Then, put the bike back on its side stand and close it up. Done! No dipsticks needed. (Just a bit of oil to clean up off the ground--or not!)

Or just put in a sight glass like a lot of bikes have.

[Waterbottle]

No sight glass needed, if there's none leaking out, it's all still in there

[MLR]

My gearbox was squealing a bit, so I checked it and found it a bit low. I will be sure to mention this when I take it in for its next service and they go to change the gearbox fluid again...

I'm a little skeptical that it's the gearbox squealing. If it was, it would have to be a bearing or bushing squealing and I would think the fluid would have to be really low & that adding oil would be too little too late. Unless there was something in the tranny that was assembled incorrectly or something out of tolerance, but it seems to me if that was the case it would get progressively worse and not come and go.