Good evening. Today I checked the bevel drive/ shaft drive/ final drive (?) on my new ( to me ) 1979 T3 California. There is a leak from the inspection plug. I took it off and black oil is nasty looking; so I decided to give it an oil change. Whilst I have a manual that states adding a portion of Moly to the 90w it is an old manual. I presume (?) that modern oils will suffice without this addition ? Looking here I cannot locate any info ; I have tried without success by putting in search terms such as Viscosity/Shaft/Bevel etc. oils etc. etc. however I have found no thread whatsoever in regard to the preferred or acknowledged oil / viscosity. Searching the web I found reference to 85 /140w ? --90w --85/90w-- who knows ? I certainly do not. Can anyone please guide me here to a simple answer ?
Hi,
I use EP80w90 Gearbox oil. Works fine for me. The Haynes manual says SAE 90 or EP 90.
BTW. You might get a better response if you post this question under the “Big Block” area of the Technical section.
rgds
Richard.
Day out with the taverners VMCC branch for me and the Cali today. Good weather, great carvery for lunch and a couple of fun rides around the lanes of North Leicestershire. What more could you want.
Not today, but at the weekend, I returned from my pilgrimage to Mandello. A great adventure for a bike that is now 45 years old. I’m happy to report that the old 850T lapped up the miles. Humming along like a humming thing.
We crossed the Alps by different passes on the way out and the way back. Both were absolutely stunning but, on balance, I would have to say that the St Bernard pass was my favourite. More motorbikes than cars and only one lorry.
Me and the Duke.JPG
Bought another one.
It was looking forelorn and unloved on eBay so I thought I should give it a new home Nice project for when I retire.
I gave the little breva a good wash and polish, its was plastered with some horrible stuff from when my lunatic brother took me off roading in switzerland, I was quite happy on the motorway, but it seems when google says you must leave you need to obey
you dont want to know what I think about google
I rather like this bike
after 16 years its running better than ever
LoL, this is the kind of thing that stopped me wanting to travel with other people 
Also in Switzerland, I remember following a guy who took us into the wrong valley, too far to turn around by the time we found out (we thought) so we’re trying to go over the mountains in between, we all dropped our bikes on snow and ice that hadn’t melted yet (end of May). That was a 12 hours journey, was totally knackered (I was getting tunnel vision where I could only see the number plate of the bike in front) I vowed I’m not doing anything like that again.
Ok so not today 'cos back at work now, but last week had a near-perfect ride from Bristol to West Wales, mostly along the A40 then up across the Preselis to the Cardiganshire coast. Perfect Autumn day, the hills looked sublime. Then the same again but in the opposite direction 4 days later, stopping off at the Red Kite to say ‘hallo’ and have a welcome cup of tea and a long chat with Paul. Then down the Wye valley to cross the Aust Bridge. The Breva 750 didn’t miss a beat, or hesitate when I pressed the starter button (was that because I cleaned all the contacts in the Fuse Box before the trip?).
233 miles on the old Spada today, on top of 241 yesterday. Apart from the charge light coming on briefly yesterday morning it’s not missed a beat and we’re managing to stay mainly dry on a little jaunt round Scotland.
Not sure about tomorrow’s route yet, might have an easy day but we’ll see how weather looks.
Ian
They do like a good run out!
Fingers crossed for the weather.
Steve
MOT time yesterday at Spenders Motorcycles in Kibworth, Leicestershire
All passed
That looks like a radical angle of lean!
Quite normal for the long Cali side stand
That’s just showing off … 
I presume that it is the same set up as on my earlier T3 with the big prop stand. As you lean it over it locks into the housing so that it can’t spring back whilst there is weight on it. Mine was leaning so far it took way too much effort (for this weakling) to stand it back up again. Cured with a bit of 1/8" strip folded and laid in there to take up some of the slack.
I forgot that it goes up into like a slot to prevent rolling off. I had one on mine but now I remember that I altered the angle by inserting thick washers at the top of the mounting.
It does take quite a tug to pull it back upright, I tend to push it up with my thigh as I’ve wrenched my arm recently pulling it about.
Always worth changing the oil as it gets quite a beating and a fair bit of pressure.
SAE 80/90 is OK. I’m using 85/140 as I bought a large drum when running a couple of small blocks. Seems OK but not a necessary change.
I stick with a drop of Moly despite modern oil technology having moved on. It’s noticeable in the effect on noise and gear shift (when used in the gearbox!). It also makes the oil change to a very dark colour 
Enjoy the Cali. Top bikes.
Steve
Took Jug out to the Cambridge DGR on Sunday. Ign failure on the M11 - wire adrift from the coil so an easy road side fix. Youngest who was on pillion thought she’d had a near death experience. Kids these days are so precious aren’t they.
In India most of this month so no riding - not Guzzis anyway (nipping away from the office for a week on a Himalayan in Nepal, err the Himalayas then). Hoping to be back in time for, and up for, the Anti-Clox at the end of the month. One for Blue before salt and SORN intervenes I’m thinking.