Modern Vespa

I happened to knock over my bottle of gearbox oil just now, and when I picked it up, I noticed on the back in small print "meets gl-5 specification"

I asked the guy at the autoparts store for gl-4 specifically, and repeatedly.

So I immediately drained my gearbox (yes, at 2:45am), and I'm gonna go hit napa for a bottle of sae 30 non-detergent tomorrow.

Oil's been in the bike for something like 2-3 months of infrequent riding (maybe 15miles a week).

Should I be worried that the oil has caused any damage/wear? Or am I just being neurotic?

Don't worry all will be ok.

IIRC GL5 damages yellow metals like brass. I'm new to scooters so I don't know if there's any brass in there. It's unlikely to do immediate catastrophic damage so I'd just change it to the right stuff and not worry about it.

2:45AM! Geez I thought I was bad!

The difference between GL4 and GL5 is the addition of phosphorus and sulfur to GL5. This can react with copper and brass with disastrous results. Based on my P125X gear box, the only components I can think of that may be brass or copper is the clutch bushing and clutch actuating plunger. I was always told to not use GL5 oil in gearboxes that have yellow metal components. I suppose you could pop the clutch cover off and remove the clutch to take a peek at the parts I mentioned for peace of mind.

Hec

Believe me, crawling around under a scooter in my pajamas getting grease smudges on my face wasn't on my before bed "to do" list

Don't wanna pop the clutch cover without a replacement rubber ring on hand… I'm certain the one in there is "curator of antiquities" levels of old.

I guess I'll add one to the parts order I need to place.

The only yellow metal is the bushings in the clutch. The bigger issue with GL5 is it's too slippery in shear for a wet clutch.

No permanent or even short term damage, just change it out and all will be fine.

And thrust washer.

Good call! I forget about the thrust washer being yellow metal.


Hec

Seals are probably melting right now and i am getting my popcorn ready for a 9 pager with at least 4 pages of jetting "advice."

Just 4 pages? I think you're being optimistic.

🦭 Save The Seals 🦭

are seals actually affected by GL5 or is that just a joke? I've heard about the brass bits before, but never anything about seals.

just a joke.

i figured, but I wanted to be sure!

Jetting advice is my favourite type of advice.

You definitely do not want to get it anywhere near the muffler bearing!

Thanks for all the input guys Nice one lol… this bike is actually my membership card to your "screw 9 pages of jetting advice" club…