OK so I'm kinda new to the maintenance world of motorcycles... so I was wondering what the transfer case actually does on the Roadstar? I thought that transfer cases split the power between 2 axles on cars/trucks. So what does this thing really do as compared to the transmission?

Also, I've got about 1700 miles on my '07... should I even consider changing my transfer case oil with so low miles? I'm all for synthetic, mind you, as I changed over my engine/trans/clutch oil to Mobil-1 20/50 synth.

Finally, what the heck is "backwards compatible"?? The owner's manual calls for SAE80 API GL-4 Hypoid gear oil..

:-DD

It moves the drive power from the right side to the left. Recommended is change every 16 grand.

Musky's right, but that don't mean you can't change it for what you want to run.

Backwards compatible means it'll work where previous grades were called for before they came up with the new designation. If some older equipment called for something before GL-4... you can still put the 4 in its place... backwards compatible,(has nothin' to do with same-sex marriage here in MA ).

So in other words, I can use a GL-5 backwards-compatible to GL-4 gear oil?

If that GL-5 says it's backwards compatible, and the component is calling for GL-4... you can go with it in place of the 4.

DrumDon...


I just changed my Transfer case fluid out at 200 miles, The dealer says 600 miles for the first fluid change, You should have seen the metallic {shavings}particles floating all over the oil in the drain pan.
Change it out with Mobil 1 Synthetic gear lube...

Dino

Yeah, the first change is at 600 miles. 16,000 thereafter.

As for the purpose of the transfer case, that's something I think about a lot as I stare lovingly at my R* in the garage. Musky, you're of course correct that it moves the power to the left side of the bike. But I can't help but wonder if there's more to it. I mean, why couldn't they just take the power off the right side? No, something tells me that they built the motor and trans as a unit and then someone over in the styling department said "It's too short front-to-aft. It must be ronger, like Evrolushon Motor and Transmishion." (Spelling for effect.) At this point a meeting was called and they all went out for sushi. When the first round of tuna rolls arrived one guy took two of them to form a mockup of the shafts, and he used a noodle to illustrate the chain driving the aft shaft. He was then elected, on the spot, to head up the Transfer Case Development Team. Working closely with the Styling Department, they zig-zagged the power from the output of the transmission, aft to a point close to the swing arm pivot and then over to the left side where the Styling guys capped it off with our stylized Star Logo pulley cover.

That's what I think happened, anyway

Thats the best explanation on that to date Less technical too

Velly interesting!