On the right side of the engine you will see something kinda egg shaped on the side of the motor, at the rear of the floor board. It has a plug about the size of a silver dollar I guess. Anywho, what kinda fluid do you replace in that thing? The reason I am asking is because I have changed it before. I was unfamiliar with what I needed to use. They gave me 1 little tube of something to put in it. The stealership said I would only need 1 tube. The tube I was given is kinda shaped like a tube of toothpaste if that helps. Last time they also said that one tube is plenty. Today they were saying I should use more than that because a lot of guys burn up the gears because they have not used enough. Now I am worried I have damaged my gears because they gave me the wrong thing as well as the wrong amount.

This weekend I have got to change oil, brake pads, and figured while I was at it I might as well change the fluid in that egg shaped thing also. Not sure how many miles you are supposed to change it, but it has been about 5,000 miles since last changed.

When I went to the stealership today I described and actually showed them where on the bike I was talking about. He goes to the back of the store and comes out with a bottle that looks like a quart of motor oil. I explained to him that last time I was given something totally different. He said that was I used last time was the wrong thing, although the same people helped me last time. What they gave me this time is basically the oil that would go in a shaft drive gear thing, on a shaft drive bike. I explained that my bike is belt drive not shaft. They said this is what I needed.

1. Am I using the right thing with the shaft drive oil stuff?

2. How much do I need to use? I was given 1 quart bottle of this stuff.

3. Also off topic, but I can't remeber what size socket and wrench do I use to remove both oil plugs?

That is the transfer case cover. I filled mine with Mobil 1 Gearlube, 75 Wt I believe. One Qt of lube is more than enough.

Paul

Here's how to change your oil.Oil Change Tech

The other "egg thing" may be your gearbox? It doesn't get driveshaft oil. and it's only about 3/4 of a qt. I put Amsoil gear oil ....don't remember what weight right now

Steven

Okay, let's be clear... having a silver dollar sized plug. It's the transfer case. Use the appropriate GL-4 or GL-5 back-compatible with GL-4 gear oil. I put the Mobil 1 75w-90 Synthetic gear oil in mine just yesterday.

It only holds like 13.44 ozs. but there's an inspection plug below it. Just fill until some starts coming out the inspection plug hole. That's not even one half of a quart.

Thanks for the help guys. This is the geatest site ever. I was thinking it was the transfer case but was not sure. As you can tell I am not mechanically inclined. So what exactly does the transfer case do? Is this the same as like a gear case? Is there a such thing as a gear case? If so where is it located and how often does any type fluid need changing if there is any located there? I can change oil and just some other basic things. Don't have all the tools I need to do every type maintanence myself, but would definitely love to learn how to do everything with this bike myself, except tires. Thanks again.

Michael

Another reason I was wondering if I had been given the wrong thing is because right before I left, can't remember the exact words but the parts manager thought my roadstar was a 4 wheeler. Not sure why but maybe now you can understand why I am concerned.

The transfer case is needed because the "gearbox" puts it's power out the right side of the engine, and Yama wanted the belt on the left side. There is more to it than that too. Style, distance from front pulley to swingarm pivot, who knows why. The gearbox uses engine oil as it's lubricant. If you use a good synth lube in the transfer case, changing it yearly or at least checking it for emulsification yearly would be more than enough, IMO.

Paul

Read what the bottle is that they gave you if it is gear case oild like Questcap mention then that is what you use. Questcap told you correct on how to do it. There is a drain plug onn the bottom mof the egg shaped case (tranfer case) and below the silver doller size plug (fill hole) there is a smaller plug which is the inspection plug. When you pour the oil in the big fill hole when there is enough in the case the oil will start to drain out the inspection plug hole stop pouring and put all the plugs in. BTW make sure you have the lower drain plug in before you start to fill it. The tranfer case take the power from one side of the engine and transfers it to the side that the belt is on. Some remove it and make their bike a right side drive. This clear as mud RIGHT?

Thanks for the help. I just went out to the tahoe and got the bottle out so I could see exactly what the bottle says... so here it is,

YAMALUBE
Lubricant

Friction Modified Shaft Drive Gear Oil.

in smaller print is says:

SAE 80W-90
API SERVICE GL-4,-5

Its is a quart size bottle. Don't see anything else written on it that would give any more information.

When you pour it into the fill hole, and you also have the little indicator bolt, I know you fill until it starts to run out. Is that with the bike straight up or sitting on the kick stand?

Thanks,
Michael