Cossack Owners Club

info@cossackownersclub.co.uk

Lubricating Oil viscosity recommendations for

older models of Soviet Motorcycles

~ ENGINE OILS ~

Manufacturer/Model

Type

Recommendation

IMZ Ural/M72/K750/KMZ Dnepr MT12

650cc OHV & 750cc SV (with Roller bearing big ends)

Mid or high detergent, SAE 40, consider SAE 50 in really hot weather and SAE30 in really cold winters on short trips.

KMZ Dnepr K650, MT9, MT10, MT10-36, MT16, MT11.

650cc OHV (with Shell bearing big ends)

20W50 or possibly 15W50 in cold weather.

Manufacturer/Model

Type

Gearbox Oil Recommendation

IMZ & KMZ

IMZ Ural gearboxes & KMZ gearboxes of the type used on Urals, i.e. versions with no foot clutch release mechanism (1).

Light 80 or
Hypoid 90 in hot weather or to quieten gear changes. Alternative 80W/90 or 75W/90.

KMZ

KMZ gearboxes with the foot clutch release mechanism (1)

Light 80 or
Hypoid 90 in hot weather or to quieten gear changes.

Alternative 80W/90 or 75W/90
DO NOT USE ‘EP’ oils

All two strokes such as Jupiter, Planeta, Voskhod, Tula, Minsk, Riga

Light 80

or Hypoid 90 in hot weather or to quieten gear changes.

Alternative 80W/90 or 75W/90.

DO NOT USE ‘EP’ oils

NB: Multiplate wet clutch implications; the clutch will be slower to take up load with a thicker oil, i.e. 90 instead of 80, or ‘quicker’ with a thinner oil.

IMZ & KMZ

Plunger final drives

Hypoid 90 or 80W90.

Hypoid 140 will quieten a final drive gear whine, but is not a long term solution.

DO NOT USE ‘EP’ oils (2)

IMZ & KMZ

Swinging arm mounted final drives & differentials

Hypoid 90 or 80W90.

Hypoid 140 will quieten a final drive gear whine, but is not a solution.

Some versions might contain bronze type bushes/bearings, so best NOT USE ‘EP’ oils.

The motorcycle aerosol type spray chain lubes are all beneficial. Enclosed chains should be lubricated with gear oil, 80 or 90 grade.

NB: WD40 will help clean a chain, but it is NOT A LUBRICANT.