what oil do you use
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 102
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From:
what oil do you use
Well i was gonna put this in the oil section but it wont let me add a topic so I just thought I would post here. I am dong a service on both my bikes and was wondering what you use as far as oil . I have to change oil in the 2000 wide glide (for sale) and the 05 ultra classic. I am dead against syn3 after hearing my dads bike after he cahnged over to it. Anyhow what do you use in your scoots. Thanks
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: what oil do you use
If you search on the oil section you will find several hundred threads on this subject plus the tech threads have lots from Skip & TC. But here is my $.02:
The most popular synthetics are these
Group V- Redline oils: www.redlineoil.com 20w50 for engine, MTL for primary, Shockproof heavy gear oil for trans
Group IV- Amsoil MCV 20w50 Engine & Primary, 75w90 Severe gear for trans. or Mobil1Vtwin 20w50 for engine & primary, 75w90 gear oil for trans. (Amsoil www.amsoil.com or get Mobil1 at Autozone)
Group III- Harley Syn3 for engine & Primary, any of the above synthetic 75w90 gear lubes for the trans.
Me personally: I am breaking in my bike on syn3 then going to Mobil1Vtwin & Shockproof heavy.
The most popular synthetics are these
Group V- Redline oils: www.redlineoil.com 20w50 for engine, MTL for primary, Shockproof heavy gear oil for trans
Group IV- Amsoil MCV 20w50 Engine & Primary, 75w90 Severe gear for trans. or Mobil1Vtwin 20w50 for engine & primary, 75w90 gear oil for trans. (Amsoil www.amsoil.com or get Mobil1 at Autozone)
Group III- Harley Syn3 for engine & Primary, any of the above synthetic 75w90 gear lubes for the trans.
Me personally: I am breaking in my bike on syn3 then going to Mobil1Vtwin & Shockproof heavy.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 852
Likes: 0
From: Decatur, IL
RE: what oil do you use
I just had the 1000 mile service and I wanted synthetic and they put in Syn3. Not happy with it. Seems like it shifts funny now. Will be definitely changing as soon as time allows. I talked to a buddy that runs a bike shop and he said that Syn3 is at the bottom of the list when it comes to synthetics. He suggested the Amsoil or Mobil. Says they are the top 2.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 2
From:
RE: what oil do you use
I'm making the switch from Mobile-1 synthetics to the Redline oils and the shockproof heavy in the tranny.
I could be wrong about this but the Twin Can seems to beat up oil and runs hotter then my old EVO or Shovelhead did. I going to try the cool collar oil filter heat sink and might go for a HD oil cooler.
I could be wrong about this but the Twin Can seems to beat up oil and runs hotter then my old EVO or Shovelhead did. I going to try the cool collar oil filter heat sink and might go for a HD oil cooler.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: what oil do you use
The twin cam 88 engine cools the pistons with oil jets which really shears the oil. Plus the transmissions should have gear oil and not motor oil in them because of the excessive oil shearing from the gears. I use the redline shockproof heavy which is a group v synthetic severe use oil. Amsoil & Mobil1 also make very good 75w90 synthetic gear oils. JMO
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Road Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 4
From: Central GA
RE: what oil do you use
Mobile 1 V-Twin 20W-50 in engine and primary, Mobile 1 75-90 in transmission. 37,000 trouble free miles. Just use a group IV or V type oil and have no worry's.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,022
Likes: 3
From: Hudson Valley- NY
RE: what oil do you use
Amsoil 20w-50 in the primary and engine, RedLine HD Shockproof in the tranny. If you change the fluids on a regular basis, I don't think it really matters. My oil is changed once a year at least, more if I get to the change interval.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Bossier City, LA
RE: what oil do you use
The reason Harley went to the lighter oil in the transmission is for better fuel mileage. Amsoil used to have a 20W-50 motorcycle oil for the engine and recommended 85W-90 for the trans and 10W-40 for yhe primary. Until they recently reformulated thier oils with friction modifiers to more closely resemble the HD specs. Thier new motorcycle oil is now reccomended in all three holes as the load and shear properties are equavelent to 85W-90. I use Amsoil 20W-50 in 2 holes and 85W-90 gear oil in the trans. (I just can't make myself put 20W-40 in the trans.) BTW Amsoil recomends you use regular oils for the break in and switch over to synthetics with a new filter of course after at least 500 miles. For more info on oil go to amsoil
