BSA Owners' Club Workshop Discussions

The BSA Workshop => Singles => Topic started by: Mike Farmer on 08 Mar, 2020, 14:16

Title: M20 gearbox oil filler
Post by: Mike Farmer on 08 Mar, 2020, 14:16
 :) :) :)

I've just put the later type gearbox in my M20. And at this stage with all the chains fitted and tightened I can't find a gearbox oil filler point. Does this mean the only way to fill it is through the inspection cover. That's a really pleasing???? thought.

Mike 8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: M20 gearbox oil filler
Post by: idie on 08 Mar, 2020, 14:49
Short answer! Yes!
Title: Re: M20 gearbox oil filler
Post by: Mike Farmer on 08 Mar, 2020, 16:40
 :) :) :)

Oh dearie dearie me.  I've got to take the front forks off to do a job, so I'll lay it on its side and fill it through the drain plug. Plausible????????????

Mike 8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: M20 gearbox oil filler
Post by: chaz on 08 Mar, 2020, 17:11
no difference to the old days of filling the rear axle on rear wheel drive cars, only one plug and you keep filling until it pours out of the hole, leaving a puddle of oil on the floor, even bigger if you drop the plug!!
as for filling it on its side, you could put more in than needed, the point where it comes out is often the level.
Title: Re: M20 gearbox oil filler
Post by: idie on 08 Mar, 2020, 17:22
If your gearbox hasn't got an oil seal on the output bearing, with the bike on its side the oil will run straight out of the box.
Title: Re: M20 gearbox oil filler
Post by: Mike Farmer on 08 Mar, 2020, 20:14
 :) :) :) :)

Time and experience will tell. We'll see. I'll let you know the outcome.

Mike 8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: M20 gearbox oil filler
Post by: Mike Farmer on 09 Mar, 2020, 21:17
 :) :) :)

The book says 1 pint. So I removed the battery carrier and swung the oil tank to one side tying it loosely to the carb. Then removed the three "easy" screws from the inspection cover and slid the cover to one side. This gave me just enough space to use a very fine funnel to put the oil in. Job done. Glad I didn't really need to lay it on its side.
Took about one and half hours.
Jb done.

Mike 8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: M20 gearbox oil filler
Post by: Rog1 on 10 Mar, 2020, 08:51
This thread has come to me at just the right time. I've had the outer gearbox cover off on my 1953 M33, and the oil tank has also come off for cleaning. I was thinking of putting the oil tank back on first, but I will leave it 'till I've finished with the gearbox now.

To be honest, I took the oil tank off because I accidentally dropped the oil filter retaining cap into it, and couldn't get it out again. The tank wasn't too bad at all inside.
Title: Re: M20 gearbox oil filler
Post by: Ian C on 11 Mar, 2020, 17:41
I used the screw in inspection cap to fill mine.
Title: Re: M20 gearbox oil filler
Post by: Mike Farmer on 11 Mar, 2020, 19:22
 :) :) :)

Hi. Thank you for that.
I realised last night that I should have done that. Age agien

Mike 8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: M20 gearbox oil filler
Post by: Pete C on 12 Mar, 2020, 07:23
Yes, you should fill it through the outer cover inspection cap. I just keep filling until it reaches the level of the hole rather than measure a pint.

You will need a little patience to allow the oil to seep into the main part of the gearbox (there is only a small hole in the inner cover if I remember correctly)

Cheers
Pete
Title: Re: M20 gearbox oil filler
Post by: Mike Farmer on 12 Mar, 2020, 09:40
All sorted thanks.

Mike 8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: M20 gearbox oil filler
Post by: Mark N on 13 Mar, 2020, 17:57
Get yourself a Sealey fluid syringe. I don't know how I survived without one! You can use it to put oil in (in measured quantities) and take it out again (to inspect it).