Which gearbox oil for an old Triumph?

[andy120t]

Any thoughts on what I should use for gearbox oil for an old Triumph - T100 500cc from 1960. The Haynes manual says SAE 90 gear oil, but I've not been able to locate that in the local car/Halfords in Hertford..

Does anyone here use anything widely available for this type of application?

-  I'm on holiday next week so looking forward to getting down to some fettling!

[andy120t]

Halfords Halfords Gear Oil EP 80W/90 GL-4 1L

Having looked online I may have answered the question for Halfords - does anyone use this stuff? Suitable for an old Triumph.

Any other brands that are recommended?

[Bryanj]

EP was designed for diffs but will work happily in gearboxes, you don't need the expensive synthetics or semi synthetics just straight mineral oil

[pptom]

I was told not to use EP in old boxes as at will damage the bronze bearings - i think it was one of those rumours going around.
Went into our local Norton experts shop (Mick Hemmings - google him - works on them and raced them for years + is a bit of a gearbox expert) and all he sells is modern EP, so I thought if its good enough for him.....
I ran it in my rebuilt T100a engine with no problems. And you can easily get it from Halfords, that stuff will be fine.
Tom

[JamesH]

Hey Tom, do you know Mick Hemmings well?
I've got a '71 commando engine and gearbox that I need restoring and wondered if he's still taking on this type of work..? Hope you're enjoying the Brown 550...J

[pptom]

He's still going mate, still got the shop - must be near retirement age now, but I asked him about rebuilding my Dommie 99 gearbox about 3 months ago and he said it would be after Christmas till he got round to it as he was so busy.
He's always got plenty on - recently Peter Williams has announced that he's putting together a run of new bikes and Mick is doing the engines and boxes for these (15 I think), so i wouldn't think he'll be quick.
I rebuilt my Dominator engine last year after the camshaft woodruff key sheared (no damage luckily) I used one of Micks engine rebuild DVD's and it was a pretty easy process really, you're more than welcome to borrow it if you fancy? He also does a gearbox DVD.
I also use the same machine shop that he does for all of my engine work, so they're pretty clued up on Norton stuff - I'll happily drop anything to them if you like.

[JamesH]

Thanks Tom. Appreciate that - yeah I've joined the owners club and purchased both DVD's so may well have a go myself. Just not used to working on British stuff, so will need to invest in some imperial tools and I know the 20M3 commando engine requires a few special tools. I'll drop you a line when I know which direction I'm going in. Cheers, James.