Engine Mechanical Topics Discussion for motor builds, cams, head work, stripped bolts and other engine related issues. The good and the bad. If it goes round and around or up and down, post it here.

Thoughts on fluids

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 9, 2019 | 11:00 AM
  #1  
Damaged Goods's Avatar
Damaged Goods
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Chestertown, Md.
Default Thoughts on fluids

Hey folks, I needed a bit of input pertaining to fluids. My sled is a 2011 flexible flyer oooops. Sorry. It’s a 2011 fxdwg. I’m in-process of putting in a new Barnett clutch-pak then have to replace cam-chain shoe. (Not timing chain) I guess they call it the secondary. Whatever! Ya know the deal. Yet, I wasn’t paying attention and I put conventional oil in everything. So......question is can someone tell me what the difference truly is between syn and conv.? Real quick. A friend said, folks are losing cam-plates because of how syn. doesn’t allow the bearings to work as they’re supposed to. I honestly haven’t noticed any difference except price. Any other input I’d appreciate. Gonna git’r’dun today. Thanks and stay groovy😎
Damaged Goods
 
Reply
Old May 9, 2019 | 11:55 AM
  #2  
Dan89FLSTC's Avatar
Dan89FLSTC
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
Active Streak: 30 Days
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,029
Likes: 12,550
From: South Carolina
Default

Stop....your killin me.......
 
Reply
Old May 9, 2019 | 12:07 PM
  #3  
Mattbastard's Avatar
Mattbastard
Grand HDF Member
Veteran: Air Force
15 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 4,315
Likes: 1,663
From: Tampa
Default

 
Reply
Old May 9, 2019 | 01:07 PM
  #4  
djl's Avatar
djl
HDF Community Team
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,763
Likes: 2,597
From: san antonio
Community Team
Default

 
Reply
Old May 9, 2019 | 01:23 PM
  #5  
Damaged Goods's Avatar
Damaged Goods
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Chestertown, Md.
Default Sentiments noted

To those that replied. Thank you all for allowing me to answer my own question. Groovy😎
 
Reply
Old May 10, 2019 | 09:02 AM
  #6  
djl's Avatar
djl
HDF Community Team
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,763
Likes: 2,597
From: san antonio
Community Team
Default

Originally Posted by Damaged Goods
To those that replied. Thank you all for allowing me to answer my own question. Groovy😎
Seriously, don't worry about conventional or synthetic if the oil is a motorcycle oil. However, don't use motor oil in the transmission; use gear oil; 75W90, 80W90, 85W140 etc. and any name brand. Redline Shockproof is pretty popular on the HD forums for transmissions. Some get hung up on specialty lubricants for the primary but I have run 20W40 and 20W50 conventional in both my bikes for years. Don't worry about even mixing conventional and syn or switching from one to the other with an oil change. Using the HD products is not necessary as some believe.
 
Reply
Old May 10, 2019 | 10:13 AM
  #7  
Damaged Goods's Avatar
Damaged Goods
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Chestertown, Md.
Default Wrenching

Hey brotha, thank you. It was something simple I only wanted to throw out there and see what kind of response I’d receive back. You! My friend are the only one that gave me a legitimate answer, that I appreciate. I do all my own work. Except wheels(tires). And there is only one shop I trust. The only time my bike is in there is if I made a really bad mistake. Other than that, the shop owner will help me over the phone if I’ve got an issue I’m far from familiar. And I’m not allowed to bring my bike in unless I’m out of options. Trust me. They’re ball busters over there. Yet I get a great deal of respect and self satisfaction for doing things myself. I take it you might be the same. Do it yourself? As I’ve said in the new member paragraph. This is the first time using any site. I’m leery as hell doing this and struggle to navagate these pages. I’m learning who’s who and what’s what. To you good sir. My wrenches are raised. That’s my way of saying thanks for answering such a simple question. Stay groovy😎
 
Reply
Old May 10, 2019 | 10:16 AM
  #8  
Jackie Paper's Avatar
Jackie Paper
Seasoned HDF Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,300
Likes: 6,325
From: Honah Lee
Default

I have 4 flexible flyers. (Really) One has wood top rails. B wax only.

For the Harley. 15-50 Mobile is fine for engine. Use Mobile V twin if really hot since it has more additives. (I personally think they settle out if bike sets...and for sure,.shake container before using) SYN 3 is fine. Use Formula + straight weight gear oil with no detergent for transmission and primary. No filters there, so from an engineer standpoint, non detergent is best. Harley is the only one who has that spec.
 

Last edited by Jackie Paper; May 10, 2019 at 12:13 PM.
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 10, 2019 | 10:28 AM
  #9  
djl's Avatar
djl
HDF Community Team
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,763
Likes: 2,597
From: san antonio
Community Team
Default

Originally Posted by Damaged Goods
Hey brotha, thank you. It was something simple I only wanted to throw out there and see what kind of response I’d receive back. You! My friend are the only one that gave me a legitimate answer, that I appreciate. I do all my own work. Except wheels(tires). And there is only one shop I trust. The only time my bike is in there is if I made a really bad mistake. Other than that, the shop owner will help me over the phone if I’ve got an issue I’m far from familiar. And I’m not allowed to bring my bike in unless I’m out of options. Trust me. They’re ball busters over there. Yet I get a great deal of respect and self satisfaction for doing things myself. I take it you might be the same. Do it yourself? As I’ve said in the new member paragraph. This is the first time using any site. I’m leery as hell doing this and struggle to navagate these pages. I’m learning who’s who and what’s what. To you good sir. My wrenches are raised. That’s my way of saying thanks for answering such a simple question. Stay groovy😎
I am a DIY guy; '02 FLHT with an all bore 107" built motor and an '05 FXSTD with a built 98" motor; both bike have many other various performance and cosmetic modifications; most canoot nail down the model and/or year of the old FL since it looks more like an FLHX.

Don't be leery of posting on this forum; on balance the more knowledgeable members are always willing to help out. The reason you got the responses you go to your lubricant questions is really simple. Oil is not a complicated issue but there have been so many questions asking about oil choices, weights, brands, syn vs conventional, etc. that can be answered with a bit of homework that the first reaction by many forum members is to either ignore the question, particularly if the question is the posted by a "new" member that could be a troll. Or to respond as some did, myself included, with "here we go again", another oil thread, "how many times do we have to answer this question". No malice or disrespect is intended, those replies are more of a reflex than a thoughtful reply.

So, don't be offended, keep coming back with your questions and you will find plenty of knowledgeable advice and help from this forum. That is the reason I replied a second time, so you would not get discouraged and understand some of the " oh no" replies.
 
Reply
Old May 10, 2019 | 12:19 PM
  #10  
Damaged Goods's Avatar
Damaged Goods
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Chestertown, Md.
Default

lol😃😃😃
Another reason is....I’m trying to save some F’n money. Believe you me folks I do understand the functions of how that **** works. I really want to save some coin. Because of folks as yourself I’ll come back. Stay groovy😎
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bklyn roadking
Motorcycles For Sale
0
Feb 28, 2016 09:37 AM
99VALowrider
Touring Models
28
Oct 10, 2010 12:48 PM
PKellyMc
Dyna Glide Models
20
Sep 10, 2009 01:12 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:11 AM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE