thoughts on oil

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Permalink Reply by el diablo on January 24, 2009 at 4:37am

it depends on the bike /engine
20W50 will work on most ...including the older engines

i like the kroon or STP oil's best for the twins
for the older bikes i use the normal and for the '89 and later engines i use the synthetic

but there are a lot of guys /shops that use the synthetic in every engine
i don't ....because of the seals and gaskets

maybe this helps ?!

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Permalink Reply by Don Burtner on January 24, 2009 at 6:33pm

Your bike is a new twin cam HD? Is the Motor Company recommending synthetic in those bikes now? If not, the non-synthetic Harley oil is only about $3 per quart at the Harley shop. Anyway when the motor is run in just use the Harley non-synthetic oil. That's what I've been using on my "92 FLHS for the past 89,000 miles. I change it about every 2 to 3 thousand miles. The HD oil is even cheaper than the motorcycle oil at the car parts outlets. If you need synthetic - can't imagine why - the HD motor, even the twin cam is still only 1970's technology, should do just fine on Mobil One car oil, which is cheapest at Walmart. That's what I've used in my Triumph Speed 4 for the past 24,000 miles. Here is another trick you can do. Mix the non-synthetic with a quart of synthetic. That cuts the cost and won't affect the performance at all. Synthetic and non-synthetic oils are totally compatible - it says so on the container!

BUT - if it's going to bother you then $7/qt motor oil at the Harley boutique is cheap and insures a restful sleep.

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Permalink Reply by GAMBLER on January 24, 2009 at 6:56pm

Mobil 1

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Permalink Reply by flying eyeball on January 24, 2009 at 8:36pm

To me, the biggest advantage of Synthetics in the twin-cams is the added length of service intervals as I put a lot of miles on bikes. I have been going 5,000 miles between oil changes with no problems at all and have used HD Synthetic as well as Amsoil and others. And when you run the Syn in all the cases you just need to carry 1 quart of oil with you when out on the road.

In Evo's I just use Castrol's regular 20/50 car oil and straight 40 or 50 wt in Shovel's.

If you ask 5 different guys about oil you will likely get 5 different answers...my .02

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Permalink Reply by GEORGE on January 25, 2009 at 1:58am

h2omonkey

AS FOR YOUR QUESTION ON OIL

USE A GOOD GRADE OIL 20W50 PENRITE HPR 30 OR STRAIGHT 50W EVEN IF YOU ARE RUNNING IN A FRESH REBUILD. COST OF OIL SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE, OIL IS CHEAP!!!!!!! A REBUILD IS NOT.!!!!!!!



GOOD LUCK THANKS GEORGE

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Permalink Reply by h2omonkey on January 25, 2009 at 1:03pm

thanks for the input for those who posted, the $7 a quart was for regular 20w-50, not synthetic, i just hate to support a 100-200% mark up (for marketing) just because it has hd on the bottle, they don't process the oil, it's only their label, was only wondering the differences between this oil and others that are available.

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Permalink Reply by Deadcarny on January 25, 2009 at 1:45pm

I run Amsoil Racing 60wt in the Shovelhead. I run Amsoil in everything else too (cars and bikes). Amsoil recommends the Racing oil for older HD's, and the V-Twin 20w-50 for Evos and newer. I have tried all kinds of oil and have foind that the Amsoil Synthetic works great and stays cleaner longer than any other oil I have put in there.

As for HDMC oil, it sucks. If you prefer to run it, do not run their Sytnthetic (SYN-3). I have a friend that has been a wrench at a stealership for several years who says that stuff leaves scoring, and that even the non-syn HDMC oil is better. He also said that Amsoil and Mobil 1 motors are usually the best looking motors inside.

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Permalink Reply by Erik Da Viking on January 29, 2009 at 8:41am

I've been running the synthetic they sell at *gasp* Walmart, you gotta get the "T" stuff if you have a wet clutch. I ride an 03 Triumph Bonneville, it requires synthetic oil. A buddy of mine thats an aircraft mechanic in the Air Force did a ton of research on it, its actually a really high quality oil, but its about half the cost of Mobil 1. I forget the name brand (Its not the store brand) but if you want I'll take a look at the bottle tonite and put it up...Makes an oil change for my ride around $35 with filter, instead of over 50.

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Permalink Reply by Triumphteer on January 29, 2009 at 1:04pm

for me i prefer the viscosity and flavor of a synthetic, and it seems to stain my jeans just right to make me look cool but not slob-ish.

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Permalink Reply by Shakedown88 on January 30, 2009 at 3:51pm

I run nothing but Lucas....either straight or Synthetic its the best out there...I use their stabilizer in my engine and trans...I also use it in Customers bikes....I sell Amsoil...Harley...Mobile 1 and Lucas....and I have never had a customer come back and say "What the fuck did you put in this thing....It has never shifted this good" and shit like that....Now believe me....I'm not a gimmick kinda guy...I don't believe anything I hear and only half what I see..but I believe in that shit.....

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Permalink Reply by Jaz on January 30, 2009 at 5:28pm

http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Oils1.html


about everything you ever wanted, or didn't want to know about oil.



shell rotella T 5w40.


jaz

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Permalink Reply by nofiron on January 30, 2009 at 5:58pm

Shovelhead- Valvoline Racing Oil 50wt SoCal winter, 60wt SoCal summer + Lucas Heavy Duty Oil Stablizer and I put Lucas in the trannie with gear grease.

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