Engine/Tranny/Primary Oil Question
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Novice
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Calgary, AB
Engine/Tranny/Primary Oil Question
Okay folks, this is a loaded question sure to generate A LOT of opinion. But I have to ask it because I am just not sure, and its better to ask then not to, as I have been instructed in the past.
I got a '07 Street Bob, 96ci and I am wondering what oil and/or types to use in the engine, tranny and primary.
I have read bits and pieces from the forum, but its scattered information, and I am not looking for too technical of an answer.
The heart of my question is : Do you use the same oil for all three? Or, are the engine/primary the same and do you use a different oil for the tranny?
The second part of that question is, is the HD 20W-50 the standard, easy choice, or is Amsoil or some other oil the popular choice?
I know the HD brand is the easy choice, but for all three components?
ugh, sometimes a straight answer is just not possible!
Thanks in advance!
EB
I got a '07 Street Bob, 96ci and I am wondering what oil and/or types to use in the engine, tranny and primary.
I have read bits and pieces from the forum, but its scattered information, and I am not looking for too technical of an answer.
The heart of my question is : Do you use the same oil for all three? Or, are the engine/primary the same and do you use a different oil for the tranny?
The second part of that question is, is the HD 20W-50 the standard, easy choice, or is Amsoil or some other oil the popular choice?
I know the HD brand is the easy choice, but for all three components?
ugh, sometimes a straight answer is just not possible!
Thanks in advance!
EB
K. Harleys oil is mediocre at best. Amsoil,red line,royal purple and motul are far better for the same money. Mobil made my top end sound like a can of marbles bouncing around so I will never use anything mobil ever again.
Now as far as the engine goes pick a 20w-50,if it's conventional change it at 3000 miles if syn it can go 5000 easy.
I use rotella t conventional diesel oil in my primary. You need a fluid that meets the JASO spec and rotella does,and it's cheap. I use it in all of my shared sump bikes without any engine,clutch,tranny issues at all.
Change the primary fluid when it turns grey.
As far as the tranny goes forget using an engine oil. Find a gear oil. I use red line shockproof. It made neutral easy to find,eliminated the clunk going in to 1st gear and it made my tranny operate ultra smooth. Amsoil severe gear will also suffice as will royal purple's max gear.
Due to the red lines extremely high viscosity index it's basically shear proof which means it will not thin as it ages and it will last an easy 20000 miles in your tranny.
I have an 08 street bob so basically the same bike as you.
The engine takes just over 2 quarts with a filter change,the primary needs a quart and the tranny needs a quart.
When I do an oil change I start with 2 quarts then ride it to get it up to temp,then add oil until it reaches the center of the dipstock. On my bike if I got beyond halfway up the dipstick oil will drip out my breather. It usually ends up at 2 1/4 quarts.
In the heat of the summer I run an xw-60 or straight 60 grade however once the temps cool I like a 5w-50. It flows faster at start up when the temps are lower.
Now as far as the engine goes pick a 20w-50,if it's conventional change it at 3000 miles if syn it can go 5000 easy.
I use rotella t conventional diesel oil in my primary. You need a fluid that meets the JASO spec and rotella does,and it's cheap. I use it in all of my shared sump bikes without any engine,clutch,tranny issues at all.
Change the primary fluid when it turns grey.
As far as the tranny goes forget using an engine oil. Find a gear oil. I use red line shockproof. It made neutral easy to find,eliminated the clunk going in to 1st gear and it made my tranny operate ultra smooth. Amsoil severe gear will also suffice as will royal purple's max gear.
Due to the red lines extremely high viscosity index it's basically shear proof which means it will not thin as it ages and it will last an easy 20000 miles in your tranny.
I have an 08 street bob so basically the same bike as you.
The engine takes just over 2 quarts with a filter change,the primary needs a quart and the tranny needs a quart.
When I do an oil change I start with 2 quarts then ride it to get it up to temp,then add oil until it reaches the center of the dipstock. On my bike if I got beyond halfway up the dipstick oil will drip out my breather. It usually ends up at 2 1/4 quarts.
In the heat of the summer I run an xw-60 or straight 60 grade however once the temps cool I like a 5w-50. It flows faster at start up when the temps are lower.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Calgary, AB
As stated in my original post i did.. But i got sick of trying to decipher 100's of posts. easier to ask a simple question.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,620
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From: ARIZONA
On my recently traded 2007 fatboy with the 96b engine, I used mobile one v-twin in the engine and harley formula + in the transmission and primary. I used harley syn 3 when I changed out the break in factory fill oil as well in the primary and trans, but switched to the mobil/formula+ at 1k.
For my dyna, I'm going to use dino oil for the oil change at 500, then switch to ams oil or redline from the 1k onward.
For my dyna, I'm going to use dino oil for the oil change at 500, then switch to ams oil or redline from the 1k onward.
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Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 17
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From: Calgary, AB
Thanks folks
Hey all,
Thanks for the help, this will be very useful for when I get back home and can get in front of the bike to make this change!
And for others who may be looking for the very same answers in a simplified thread!
EB
Thanks for the help, this will be very useful for when I get back home and can get in front of the bike to make this change!
And for others who may be looking for the very same answers in a simplified thread!
EB
