Had a situation recently during our 100 degree-plus days where my bike idled low, my oil light would come on at idle, and I would get some pinging when leaving from a stop. It went away when I bumped my idle some, and the days have become a bit cooler, but I'm worried that I might have stressed my oil a bit too much. Although its only been about 2k miles since the last change, my oil was looking fairly dark, and I just wasn't comfortable... So, this morning, I purchased some Valvoline 50w Racing oil and a Wix filter from O'Reillys (very reasonably priced--$6.390 for the quarts of oil, and $7.99 for the Wix.

Anybody run Vavloline Racing straight weights? Can you think of any issues running this oil? They also offer a 20/50 weight, and that might have been the better oil going into winter, but I felt like my Engine could use a bit of help in the oil pressure department (it's been hot rodded a bit, with .20 over pistons, .560 lift cams, manley tulip valves and roller rockers)--and we get mild winters here in the People's Repulik of Kalifornistan... AND, I wanted to try it, after reading so many posts about knowledgeable folks recommending straight 50 or even 60 for Evo's.

 

Don't sweat it. It will be alright.

 

Just don't ride to Alaska or if you do....don't switch the motor off!!

 

If you're talking about the Valvoline VR1 50W, that's what I run in mine. I know it's only an example of one, but the guy that recommended it to me has 150k on his Evo and he hasn't been inside the motor yet.

 

I run Valvoline also with no issues, she's quiet and is smooth as silk. Previous owner ran the HD 360, took it to the dealer for service. Don't know if the change in brands made a difference but mine is a 97' RK and the bike runs strong.

 

Running VR1 50w with no issues as well.

 

Messed up go to next......

 

I've run into a similar situation while cruising the streets of Manhattan even with a Jagg's 2 pass oil cooler and have tried various oils and nothing really made any difference at all. If you a generally run your bike in that temp range frequently I would consider a high volume oil pump not high pressure and the installation of an oil cooler and to monitor oil temp I put a gauge in my oil tank. My oil temp runs around 170 on the hottest of days and my motor is very built... and the oils that I've used are as follows, Pennzoil 20-w50, Amsoil 20-w50, Harley 360 and Kendall 20-w50 and even Kendall straight 60 none of them made any difference. Good luck. and where the he'll is Kalifornistan???????

 

VR1 50 year round with no issues.

As a matter of fact on Tman's Dyna we took the oil cooler off when switched to the VR1 and hasn't had any issues.

 

Seems to run a little better if you ask me.


Making a run to Gainesville Wednesday night and it will be 200 miles of solid interstate. Will be the first long run like that on the VR1, so we shall see!