Grubee Gearbox- running "wet"

[HoughMade]

I am...and I will!

 

[Irish John]

Brillian Research HoughMade

This post is just what we need for our Grubee GBs and the Hoot GB guys will be able to report back on the efficacy of this mixture too. I'm sold on the mixture too HoughMade but I need you to clarify a couple of points.
Should the 50/50 mixture of Gear Lube & Stop Smoke should be premixed prior to pouring into the GB?
The total amount of mixture is 5 fluid oz - i.e. 142 millilitres or about 70mls of each of the components?
The microwave idea sounds good for making the mixture easy to pour.
How viscous/liquid is the final mixture?
Also I'm not doubting the method but 140mls seems hardly enough to allow the bottom of the gears to dip into it and spread it around the whole gearbox.
Won't this mixture, if it is fairly fluid, go through thr holes into the centrifugal clutch and cause sticking problems?
The lithium grase method had the big problem of throwing off the grease at the high speeds at which the gears revolve so this continuous wetting method seems to be the answer.
Lasty I would have thought that you'd only need to top up the mixture occasionally and that the lubricant would be effective on the gear wheels for a very long time (5000 kilometres or so).
Fetor's magnetised plug idea will work only if the mixture is fairly liquid like the engine oil where I've found his invention to be nearly as good an idea as the NuVinci hub!

 

[cruiser66]

The clutch runs best with oil. It partly acts as a lubricant and allows the clutch bell to gradually reach engine speed. Once the clutch reaches a predetermined operating rpm, it locks so no slipping occurs like a lock up torque converter in a car. When the engine slows below the predetermined rpm (around 2200) the internal springs of the clutch will take over and disengage the clutch. The oil lubricates the action of the clutch so if sticking occurs, it is not because of the oil. Premixing the 50/50 and heating will facilitate filling the gearbox and ensure the proper ratio. I will be trying the mix as soon as I get the "motor honey" to mix with the gear oil. However, I have had very good results with just 75W90 oil. My JL Hoot apparently runs pretty quiet since I can hear my engine running through all of the operating speeds.

66

 

[Irish John]

That's great Cruiser, it's good to be reading about the Hoot GB etc. xcan you let us know some brand names for this Stop Smoke Honey stuff. The guys in the shops around here don't seem to know much about the products they sell cos the shops aren't family businesses but big franchises and I don't trust anything they tell me.

 

[cruiser66]

Grubee gearbox running wet

Hi Irish John,

This is the stuff I will be trying. Has been around for decades and was one of the original additives for oil burning. It is very thick like honey. I guess that's why some people call it motor honey.

http://www.stp.com/oil_smoke.html

66

 

[MasterLink]

i think a brake bleeder screw is a good ideal to use as a drain might fit on that ridge i think the bleeder is 3/8 inch

 

[HoughMade]

This post is just what we need for our Grubee GBs and the Hoot GB guys will be able to report back on the efficacy of this mixture too. I'm sold on the mixture too HoughMade but I need you to clarify a couple of points.
Should the 50/50 mixture of Gear Lube & Stop Smoke should be premixed prior to pouring into the GB?

Sounds like you got your answers, but I'll chime in anyway. Yes- premix.

The total amount of mixture is 5 fluid oz - i.e. 142 millilitres or about 70mls of each of the components?

Yes, but don't be surprised if some backs out of the hole even with 5 ounces. It will stop, and the stuff is so thick it does not drip fast at all.

The microwave idea sounds good for making the mixture easy to pour.
How viscous/liquid is the final mixture?

Very thick. I kicked over the open container with the mix in it and I was able to reach down and turn it upright before any spilled. I moved fast, but try that with straight oil.

I'm not doubting the method but 140mls seems hardly enough to allow the bottom of the gears to dip into it and spread it around the whole gearbox.

I agree, but the interior volume of the gearbox is less than you think....and it works.

Won't this mixture, if it is fairly fluid, go through thr holes into the centrifugal clutch and cause sticking problems?

It will get in there, but it does not cause problems. When the engine is going fast enough to fully engage the clutch, there is no slippage. At the same time, it allows the clutch to engage gradually and not chatter.

The lithium grase method had the big problem of throwing off the grease at the high speeds at which the gears revolve so this continuous wetting method seems to be the answer.

Lasty I would have thought that you'd only need to top up the mixture occasionally and that the lubricant would be effective on the gear wheels for a very long time (5000 kilometres or so).

Fetor's magnetised plug idea will work only if the mixture is fairly liquid like the engine oil where I've found his invention to be nearly as good an idea as the NuVinci hub!

I agree and the fluid will likely last a really, really long time, call me overly cautious. I want a way to drain it without taking the cover off. Will a magnet get much? Probably not, but why not remove what I can?

 

[nsideus]

I have tried all these in the grubee gear box
straight wheel grease - clutch sticks
synthetic grease with a little oil ( greasoil ) - no slip seams to be quietest
50/50 mix trans stop leak and gear oil - worked for a while then began to experience slippage
lithium grease - works well no slippage somewhat less whine than 50/50
the oldest and the greasiest works the best 4,500 est miles
I will try the honey oil next

 

[Irish John]

Very thick. I kicked over the open container with the mix in it and I was able to reach down and turn it upright before any spilled. I moved fast, but try that with straight oil.

Thanks HoughMade I'm switching over to 50/50 today. Incidentally your quote above is also a brilliant description of the best way to tell if you have been served a perfect pint of Guinness in Dublin!

 

[HoughMade]

Good point!

I took the cover off today for two reasons- I developed some more weeping and i want to seal it better and I had to see how far up the gear the oil level was- it had sat all day, so I knew it would all be in the bottom. Interesting- only 5 ounces and the oil level was a bit more than 1/3 up the largest (middle) gear. When I refill, I am going to try it with a bit less, then add more if I have to.