ATF as Gear Lube

[jfabmotorsports.com]

Clutches of every material, needle bearing, roller bearing, shafts with bushings and shafts without bushing, and gears of all designs transmitting mind blowing HP in auto transmissions, all on ATF. 

[GREENKAW24]

Not too long ago I noticed a banshee at the races that had a see through clutch cover, and I asked my buddy that used to dirt track and road race if that was ATF in there (it was red), and he said "yeah, you don't use that?" I said no, I never though of it. He said he always used it in his motors for dirt track and road race, and told me why. Nevertheless, I started using it and it works great.

[pmskreta]

I guess I'm doing it wrong. Over a year ago, I put Redline Lightweight Shockproof gear oil in the trans of my 04 K5. I live in Vegas, primarilly ride the desert and race on occasion. It's been on the MX course too. It's never lost any fluid and it's barely discolored. I think this time I'll try the Redline 80W gear oil with shockproof. I'm becoming a fan of Redline more and more. I only use The Racing two-stroke oil for premix. It runs great!

[martinfan30]

i run only ..  30 wieght non synthtic moter oil  like,,valveoline  my trans looks perfect inside..  i have lots of these transmisions  apart  some of the gears in the k5 trans are not bushed like a car automatic there steel on steel .. i also use clutch kits that have steel plates,,,not aluimnium  like stock.. what does  factory kaw recomend 

A straight 30w, or multigrade?

[martinfan30]

Also, I went to a local dealer and told him the bike I have. He sold me some 85w BelRay Gear Saver tranny oil.

Good choice?

[shiggins37]

I joined the ATF club last week. Man it was nice spending $1.50 instead of $10. Call me cheap Hope it works well as I bought my bike used and have no idea how old the clutch is.

[shiggins37]

How long between oil changes would you guys suggest with the ATF I don't imagine it comes out much darker than when it goes in, so I know that won't be a good indicator for how often to change it.

[martinfan30]

I still do the 80wt thing but after many, many years of good luck with it I'm scared to try something else. My trany is a very expensive and trustworthy partner in my life. I don't feel the need to go experimenting with it. I can't recall ever losing a race and saying, d**n it if only I had different tranny oil.  I have conciderd using mobile one full synthetic gear oil like you would put in the rear diff of a car or truck but I'm not sure if it would be clutch compatible.I havn't even done the research It was one of those passing thoughts.

Yours is the only post in here I've found referencing 80 or 85w oil in the box. I was sold a quart or two of Bel-Ray 85w "gear-saver" oil as the "kind" for the KX5 box.

Any opinions on using this thick oil? I am going to try it this weekend.

[GDubb]

How long between oil changes would you guys suggest with the ATF I don't imagine it comes out much darker than when it goes in, so I know that won't be a good indicator for how often to change it.

The good thing about ATF is that its cheap and its not a big hit in the wallet every time you have to buy a quart so you can change it as much as you want. I would change it at least every 2 to 3 rides like I do with ANY gear oil in my bike but with the price of ATF I like to change it every other ride and sometimes even every ride.


-G

[Friar-Tuck]

 Martin,
 The gear oil you have is not the same as 80-90 diff lube. I will try to find a legit explanation and post up.
 It will appear to be the viscosity of atf or 10-40... Please stand by...
  Tuck\o/

       Oil viscosity Chart   http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/visc.html

   28pg white paper...  www.americas-oil.com/A%20Study%20of%20Motorcycle%20Oils%20White%20Pap... -

 when talking about "gear oil" they use different standards so a 80W gear oil ins not like a 80W motor oil ("ATF is in SAE motor viscosity) equivalent to a 10W20 oil. 80W gear oil (AGMA scale, ) translates into a 40W (10W-40 or 20W-40) SAE motor oil.")  The Bel-Ray isn't much thicker than ATF.

[k5power]

Might sound like a stupid question but you guys think wal-mart would carry ATF? Picking up my bike tomorrow and from what everyones been saying in this post i dont see why not to run it.  At this price the oil will be changed every single ride no questions asked.  Oh and one more thing is ATF different than type F? While reading i was confused if it was a type of atf or

[GDubb]

It's both... The bottle will say ATF Type F.  Or if for some reason it only says Type F, then thats the same stuff. ATF just means Automatic Transmission Fluid.


-G

[Friar-Tuck]

 Congrats on the new bike K5,
  and more than you wanted to know about Tranny Fluid,
 Here Ya go
http://www.cartechbooks.com/vstore/showdetl.cfm?st=0&st2=0&st3=0&CATID=21&Product_ID=3578&DID=6

http://209.85.173.132/search?q=cache:MOuG-7WUyIkJ:www.phillips66lubricants.com/NR/rdonlyres/FD1D5749-16F1-48C6-852D-FFD6FEAF7E71/0/ATF.pdf+atf-f&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us&client=firefox-a

 And yes, Wally-World has transmission fluid in the automotive section usually on the Backside of the motor oil isle,
along with the grease, funnels and antifreeze/coolant. 
  Tuck\o/

[k5power]

Thanks guys assumed they would but figured id ask before taking the trip.

[Viston]

Over the years, there have been a confusing array of different ATF types and specifications. Make sure the replacement fluid meets or exceeds all OEM requirements. Using the wrong type of fluid may cause transmission problems and damage.

Type F -- Introduced by Ford in 1967 for their automatics. Also used by Toyota.

Type CJ -- Special fluid for Ford C6 transmissions. Similar to Dexron II. Must not be used in automatics that require Type F. Can be replaced with Mercon or Mercon V.

Type H -- Another limited Ford spec that differs from both Dexron and Type F. Can be replaced with Mercon or Mercon V.

Mercon -- Ford fluid introduced in 1987, very similar to Dexron II. Okay for all earlier Fords except those that require Type F. As of July 1, 2007, the production and licensing of Mercon ATF by Ford ends. Ford says applications that require Mercon ATF can now be serviced with Mercon V.

Mercon V -- Ford's newest type, introduced in 1997 for Ranger, Explorer V6 and Aerostar, and 1998 & up Windstar, Taurus/Sable and Continental. This is the current ATF for all late model Ford products.

Dexron -- General Motors original ATF for automatics.

Dexron II -- Improved GM formula with better viscosity control and additional oxidation inhibitors. Can be used in place of Dexron.

Dexron IIE -- GM fluid for electronic transmissions.

Dexron III -- Replaces Dexron IIE and adds improved oxidation and corrosion control in GM electronic automatics.

Dexron III (H) -- Improved version of Dexron III released in 2003.

Dexron III/Saturn -- A special fluid spec for Saturns.

Dexron-VI -- For 2006 GM Hydra-Matic 6L80 6-speed rear-wheel-drive transmissions, can also be used in 2005 transmissions that require Dexron III but is NOT recommended for older transmissions or Saturn VUE transmissions.

Chrysler 7176 -- For Chrysler FWD transaxles.

Chrysler 7176D (ATF+2) -- Adds improved cold temperature flow and oxidation resistance. Introduced 1997.

Chrysler 7176E (ATF+3) -- Adds improved shear stability and uses a higher quality base oil. Required for four-speed automatics (do NOT use Dexron or Mercon as a substitute).

Chrysler ATF+4 (ATE) -- Introduced in 1998, ATF+4 is synthetic and replaces the previous ATF+3 fluid. Used primarily for 2000 and 2001 vehicles, it can also be used in earlier Chrysler transmissions (except 1999 and older minivans with 41TE/AE transmission). ATF+3 should continue to be used for 1999 and earlier minivans because of the potential for torque converter shudder during break in.

Probably more information than you wanted and it is also based on automotive related iron not the mighty KX technology.
Pappa Stizzle