I note that the rear bevel drive and gearbox oil is not due for replacement until 18,000 miles. I’d feel more comfortable if these fluids were changed at the 900 mile initial service along with the engine oil. I believe that the drain plugs have a magnet to catch any detritus, but in the long term is this a good idea?
The gearbox drain plug doesn’t look particularly accessible, and I assume the downpipes and catalytic converter have to be removed to access it. Has anyone done the change earlier than the recommended 18,000 miles?
I have the V7 rather than the V85 but it’s the same thing. I changed all fluids on first service (as I always do) and it was quite easy. The oil needs measuring properly but other than that it’s a very quick job.
Like I said, I haven’t looked at the V85 properly but I believe it’s the same with a slightly different exhaust layout (I did remove my end can which took all of a minute or so).
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I got my bevel box oil changed at 12k and will be getting it changed again at 18k and every 6k service after that. It adds about £2.50 to your service cost because it’s a small amount of gear oil so seems like a no brainer to include it every time.
There’s a Lithuanian guy on you tube who posts a lot of videos about v85tt ownership who has a video about this in particular.
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I’ve changed the gearbox oil myself twice and you don’t have to remove anthing other than the bash plate. It’s worth making a cone / funnel out of card or a washed ready meal aluminium baking tray to keep the oil of the cat box. I saw this on Utube after I had covered my cat box in oil.
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good idea, thanks.
I am planning to change all oils before 900 miles
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I have always changed the oils in new motorbikes well before the manufacturers recommended intervals.
I recently changed the gearbox and rear differential (transmission) oils on my 2026 V7 Sport E5+.
The diff is easy, although capacity recommendations vary. Most folk suggest 160ml, although my Owners Manual states 125-130ml for the oil change. I suspect that pressure build-up might overcome the carden shaft oil seals, if oil level is too high. Who knows?
The gearbox oil change can be done without removing the exhaust or catalytic converter. The drain plug is located on the horizontal under-surface of the gearbox. ( Note: it is NOT the 8mm hex bolt on the right side).
Just remove the dummy exhaust pipe tin shield (three hex screws). Peer under the gearbox and you will see (with difficulty) the 17mm A/F drain plug. Unfortunately Guzzi have not machined enough flat surface to enable the use of ring spanners, but you can reach this drain plug using an open-ended spanner. Keep reversing the spanner to index the plug in twelfths, then spin off by hand. Access is from above the right side lower frame tube, slightly forward of the rear brake cylinder. Its a narrow gap and a wangle but it works. Put some duct tape on the frame tube to shield it from spanner scratches. Maybe wrap the cat with some kitchen foil to minimise oil contamination, although drained oil is easy to wash off with degreaser. Refill with 500ml of 75W/140 API GL5. I used Competition Motul 75W/140 Ester based.
The filler cap is 10mm hex.
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Not all of that applies to V85tts because the cat is in a large square silencer box only 20mm from the bottom of the gearbox which makes access to the drain and actually draining the oil a pain