Oil
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Joined: Sep 2016
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From: S.W. FLORIDA
Oil
Not asking brands, just curious if anyone is running straight 50wt. synthetic in hotter climates? I know that in earlier engines like panheads and shovels Harley recommenced 50 and 60 wt. in their engines. Is anyone still running it when temps go above 80 deg?
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From: Doghouse... mostly
A lot of things have changed since the MoCo was producing panheads and shovelheads and recommending straight weight oils in the bikes. Specifically the tolerances of todays engine internals. So I wouldn't want to be running anything but a multi-viscosity oil.
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From: New Hampsha
Phillips makes an aviation oil specifically for radial engines in a 25W-60 weight. Don't know how suitable it would be, but the V-twin has some things in common with aircraft radials.
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From: South Carolina
Aviation oil is a poor choice for a motorcycle, for one thing, it lacks the ZDDP anti wear additive.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Mar 11, 2021 at 10:50 AM.
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From: South Carolina
I`m pretty sure the person I was responding to was talking about air cooled radial engines, since that is what the Phillips aviation oil is certified for, I`ll go out on a limb here and say it is not certified or tested to be used in a water cooled engine from the 1920`s.
My point was a v twin and a radial aircraft engine are not alike. But thanks for the nitpick.
My point was a v twin and a radial aircraft engine are not alike. But thanks for the nitpick.
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Mar 11, 2021 at 03:36 PM.
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From: South Carolina
Just to clarify, this is what you said:
Ok, I`ll agree, a V twin and a radial aircraft engine have something in common, they have fins on the cylinders, they have pistons, rings and valves, but in reality they are worlds apart, just pull the front gearcase off one and you will see.
And oil used in those engines is not suitable for use in a v twin (or any ground based engine), there are too many superior lube types out there to even consider aviation oil.
OP:
The service manual may say SAE 60 is ok to use on an M8, but it also has a note saying to choose the oil based on the lowest temperature it will be used at, so SAE 60 should only be used above 80F, not really a practical choice in most areas.
I don`t think anyone is wearing out engines because they use 20w50.
Ok, I`ll agree, a V twin and a radial aircraft engine have something in common, they have fins on the cylinders, they have pistons, rings and valves, but in reality they are worlds apart, just pull the front gearcase off one and you will see.
And oil used in those engines is not suitable for use in a v twin (or any ground based engine), there are too many superior lube types out there to even consider aviation oil.
OP:
The service manual may say SAE 60 is ok to use on an M8, but it also has a note saying to choose the oil based on the lowest temperature it will be used at, so SAE 60 should only be used above 80F, not really a practical choice in most areas.
I don`t think anyone is wearing out engines because they use 20w50.