I found, like you, not much oil was coming out. Like you, thought the gearbox may have been running dry. Looks like Pinion recommends putting a wire in the drain hole so I cut a short length of shifter cable and tried that. That made a big difference, but still was coming out in drips. I then tried a brake bleed syringe/hose/fitting from Magura brakes which threaded right in. The oil came very easily then. I didn't get a full 60ml out, but a good part of it. Oil was surprisingly black for just being a gearbox and only 1 year on it.
First time I used a syringe to inject air, last time around I used the thin plastic tubing used to line brake cables and such to blow in air with my mouth. Worked a treat. I got about 40 ml out. The gearbox is usually a bit oily around the seals, so I assume the other 20 ml were lost over the year / 8000 km of use. Just gravity draining definitely does not cut it on the P-series without any ventilation.
The pinion gearbox has no air bleed hole so the oil cannot be fully drained by the method described because of the vacuum that is created in the gearbox when some oil comes out initially. One way to solve the problem during the draining with the bike on its side, is to place a hypodermic needle on a syringe in the drain hole and inject some air into the gearbox. Immediately a surge of oil will be expelled but soon the vacuum is reestablished. So the air injection procedure is repeated until around 60 ccs of oil is drained. When filling the gearbox, the gearbox will be pressurized by any oil injected. In order to minimize wasted oil, the syringe containing the oil can be periodically operated in reverse while holding the spout firmly against the drain hole. This will back bleed pressurized air from the gearbox into the syringe and make it easier to continue the injection.
Hello Ethan can you explain about how gear changing in you're bike? I'm interested in to know how gears changing mechanism work with the assistance of that wires
Keep the oil container because you can use it to suck out all the old oil next time. Makes it a bit easier to get all the oil out. Even though it's only once a year I don't look forward to Pinion oil changes!
Hi had the same problem getting the oil out . I used a bit of pipe from a WD 40 can this helps a bit but hardly any oil came out. Have now refilled it and it's running a lot better.
I've had a P.12 for 5 years now... And notice not much oil comes out. Sometimes when a gear "jumps" is a sign to refill...having said that replacing 6 monthly might be a good bet. BTW, $10+ is very cheap for a refill...it's at least 3* that in the UK...good riding...Mark 🤙
I've started using motor oil, because it is cheap and the warranty doesn't concern me at this point. I've started taking shitty shifts as a sign to change oil as well. I'm glad to hear you also experience this.
You won't be able to use oval chainrings with a Pinion gearbox as the chainring rotates at a different speed to the cranks. If you wanted to use oval rings and an internal gearing system you could use a Rohloff hub. There would be the compromise of having the weight at the back of the bike but Rohloff are German made, very reliable and share most of the benefits of the Pinion system.
Thats strange, I had a C1.6 there is a drain screw in the button. Replace oil today it was the first time approximately a year and it was dark, it seem not to have magnetic reaction so no fragments. There was the same amount as the refill 60ml. It is a hell to fill oil in, I was ending by using another syringe with a tiny metal needle for filling footballs so the air could come out.
I found, like you, not much oil was coming out. Like you, thought the gearbox may have been running dry. Looks like Pinion recommends putting a wire in the drain hole so I cut a short length of shifter cable and tried that. That made a big difference, but still was coming out in drips. I then tried a brake bleed syringe/hose/fitting from Magura brakes which threaded right in. The oil came very easily then. I didn't get a full 60ml out, but a good part of it. Oil was surprisingly black for just being a gearbox and only 1 year on it.
Right on, I'll try that this year!
@Jack Pittens this was great & worked. I got 4 drops out & with the cable tie about another 12, so that’s a 300% increase!
First time I used a syringe to inject air, last time around I used the thin plastic tubing used to line brake cables and such to blow in air with my mouth. Worked a treat. I got about 40 ml out. The gearbox is usually a bit oily around the seals, so I assume the other 20 ml were lost over the year / 8000 km of use.
Just gravity draining definitely does not cut it on the P-series without any ventilation.
The pinion gearbox has no air bleed hole so the oil cannot be fully drained by the method described because of the vacuum that is created in the gearbox when some oil comes out initially. One way to solve the problem during the draining with the bike on its side, is to place a hypodermic needle on a syringe in the drain hole and inject some air into the gearbox. Immediately a surge of oil will be expelled but soon the vacuum is reestablished. So the air injection procedure is repeated until around 60 ccs of oil is drained. When filling the gearbox, the gearbox will be pressurized by any oil injected. In order to minimize wasted oil, the syringe containing the oil can be periodically operated in reverse while holding the spout firmly against the drain hole. This will back bleed pressurized air from the gearbox into the syringe and make it easier to continue the injection.
I'll try these next time. Thanks!
Hello Ethan can you explain about how gear changing in you're bike? I'm interested in to know how gears changing mechanism work with the assistance of that wires
Keep the oil container because you can use it to suck out all the old oil next time. Makes it a bit easier to get all the oil out. Even though it's only once a year I don't look forward to Pinion oil changes!
+Richard Gibson excellent idea!
Hi had the same problem getting the oil out . I used a bit of pipe from a WD 40 can this helps a bit but hardly any oil came out. Have now refilled it and it's running a lot better.
I've had a P.12 for 5 years now... And notice not much oil comes out. Sometimes when a gear "jumps" is a sign to refill...having said that replacing 6 monthly might be a good bet. BTW, $10+ is very cheap for a refill...it's at least 3* that in the UK...good riding...Mark 🤙
I've started using motor oil, because it is cheap and the warranty doesn't concern me at this point. I've started taking shitty shifts as a sign to change oil as well. I'm glad to hear you also experience this.
How much did your cycle cost with this pinion gearbox?
Do you know if oval chain rings exist for pinion or other gear boxes? I haven't found any thing yet,oval rings make a huge difference for me.
You won't be able to use oval chainrings with a Pinion gearbox as the chainring rotates at a different speed to the cranks. If you wanted to use oval rings and an internal gearing system you could use a Rohloff hub. There would be the compromise of having the weight at the back of the bike but Rohloff are German made, very reliable and share most of the benefits of the Pinion system.
You’re suppose to attach the syringe and suck the oil out. I got a little over 60ml out
You have to use the syringe to suck up the used oil.
Thats strange, I had a C1.6 there is a drain screw in the button. Replace oil today it was the first time approximately a year and it was dark, it seem not to have magnetic reaction so no fragments. There was the same amount as the refill 60ml. It is a hell to fill oil in, I was ending by using another syringe with a tiny metal needle for filling footballs so the air could come out.
One last point...I now use Threadlock too
Good to know. I've been saying I'm going to buy thread locker for years and still haven't. I'll do it.
Crazy bike, nothing for normal biker ..., some technologies like this one, nobody needs ...