Official word on V-boxx oil changes

[Jim_Kirk]

I've been working in the background to get some advice for forum members on the V-boxx oil change interval.
Here's the document in pdf format:
http://www.fareinc.com/Stealth/Documents/V-boxx%20oil%20change.pdf

And here's the information cut and paste: 

Hi John,
        I'll get to the throttle test in the next few weeks but I'm enjoying the bike immensely and ride daily.   Tough to get motivated to change something on the Bomber when the machine runs so well, so I've put off installing the new piggyback shock and throttle for just a bit.
        What I'm going to do is post this entire email on a new thread I start on the forum and I'll call it "Official word on V-boxx gear oil changes."  The current thread is so diffuse and opinionated that nobody can follow it to learn about your advice.  Alas, it is the nature of a public forum that topics wander off after the first few posts.
        Jim

At 09:34 PM 11/10/2011, you wrote:

Hi Jim,

No worries putting that up on the forum.  Thanks a lot for asking.

You should be able to access all of the bolts without removing any part of the bike.  The piggyback shock should help that.

The thing to remember with the Vbox is that most of the time you're not putting anywhere near the same load and wear  through it as you would with that unit fitted to a normal bike.  I've seen them do several thousand km without any signs of wear.    I know what Suntour specify, but I'm confident that if you left it to 5000 miles you'll be fine.  
I've got documentation that specifies every 6 months which is a little ambiguous...... and 5000miles in 6 months on a Bomber is not unachievable.

So from me to you..... 5000 miles will be fine.  Whatever you do, don't try to pull that Vbox apart.... I know someone's done it..... but trust me.... he made it look a lot easier than what it is.

I'm really interested to know how that new throttle performs.

John


On 11/11/2011 1:48 AM, James Kirk wrote:

John,
        Can I post the V-boxx instructions on the Stealtlh Forum?
        Do I have to remove the shock and lift the swing arm fully up to gain access to the V-boxx drain/fill screws?  Looks like a tight fit for a hex key otherwise.  Details?
        The V-boxx manual says SunTour recommends a grease change once a year or 2,500 km [1.553 miles].  Seems way to early on miles [Rohloff says 3,000 miles].  What do you recommend as I'm not anxious to screw up a perfectly working V-boxx?  I'd be inclined toward 5K miles as its a sealed unit.
        Bike is working great-1,637 miles.
        Jim

At 07:30 PM 11/9/2011, you wrote:

Hi Jim,

Yes we made the mod to the shock... it should fit straight in.

I've had some long discussions with the technicians who assemble the Vboxx and here's the simplified version.

1) Add 50-100ml of thin (low viscosity gear oil)   doesn't have to be anything too specific.

2) Give the gearbox a good run for a few minutes shifting up and down through all of the gears

3) Drain the oil via the drain holes

4) Get hold of a small plastic tube and a decent sized syringe filled with grease .  (Use low viscosity gear grease will suffice.  Plastic tube should fit over the syringe and into the greasing holes on the Vbox)

5) Inject the grease into the Vbox and keep the cranks turning as well as shift up and down through the gears until they're all coated.

6) Ensure all screws are replaced.

Let me know how that new throttle that I sent goes too.

Enjoy,

John

[Paul_G]

I heard back from Stealth on the grease.

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/productdetailmin.do?categoryId=9019183&contentId=7034914

http://www.valvoline.com/products/consumer-products/grease-gear-oil/grease/64

https://www.bolt.com.au/protecta-multipurpose-grease-450gm-p-102247.html

http://www.schaefferoil.com/238-supreme-grease.html

http://mclube.com/lubricants/moly_grease_paste

http://www.gannonoils.co.uk/Industrial/Grease/Esso_Grease/Esso_Beacon_EP_2_Moly_Grease.html

I'm not sure what's available locally but there's an infinite number of greases that can be used.   I've just quickly listed a few that came up in a google search.   A multi purpose or EP (Extreme Pressure)  moly grease will do the trick.

Paul G 

[Paul_G]

Great link if ever you wish to dismantle your V-boxx or see whats in there.

http://endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=33448

Paul G  

[Jim_Kirk]

All,
    So if you are thinking of taking apart your V-boxx transmission, ever, then listen up. 

    John was very clear when I asked him about V-boxx oil changes and we got around to what  Dlogic did in thepPost referenced by Paul:  "Don't do this."  You will void your warranty and probably can forget about any help from John if one of the internal intricate parts breaks during your disassembly and you need a spare. 

    Please, save yourself grief, ask John first before you mess with the V-boxx.

-Jim