is harley oil a must?
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From:
RE: is harley oil a must?
Here's my two cents (with inflation im not sure) i have been a harley mechanic for over 35 years... We used Halrey oil on all the bikes(I had a shop)and never saw the oil cause a problem.. We have seen a lack of it or deciding not to change it cause problems but never a problem with the oil itself... I am not going to put down outhers ideas about oils but after this many years and the thousands of bikes i still use the Harley oil!
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 328
Likes: 13
From: Trabuco Canyon, California
RE: is harley oil a must?
For my first 40k I used harley 20/50, 40k-100k I used mobile1 15/50, changing every 5k. Oil filter change every 5k. At 100k had engine rebuild due to defect in case that was non-oil related.
From 100k-150k I have been back to harley oil 20/50, but now changed every 2.5k.
I have not seen any significant difference between the 2 oils nor between the interval of the change. I will continue with harley 20/50 every 2.5k. I think using any decent oil that meets specs and is changed regularly will do the job but the specific brand or synth/dino won't make any significantdifference if you are changing every 2.5 k. If you are stretching it out to 5k or more then an oil that does not break down as significantly will be more important. Rather than thinking about which oils will last the 5k or so, I just change at 2.5 k and don't worry about oil breakdown.
From 100k-150k I have been back to harley oil 20/50, but now changed every 2.5k.
I have not seen any significant difference between the 2 oils nor between the interval of the change. I will continue with harley 20/50 every 2.5k. I think using any decent oil that meets specs and is changed regularly will do the job but the specific brand or synth/dino won't make any significantdifference if you are changing every 2.5 k. If you are stretching it out to 5k or more then an oil that does not break down as significantly will be more important. Rather than thinking about which oils will last the 5k or so, I just change at 2.5 k and don't worry about oil breakdown.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 15
From: Senoia, Ga., by way of Miami, Fl..
RE: is harley oil a must?
ORIGINAL: MikeyB
Also take into consideration that the HD oil is made by Chitgo, a Hugo Chavez company.
MikeyB
Also take into consideration that the HD oil is made by Chitgo, a Hugo Chavez company.
MikeyB
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 4
From: Columbus, OH
RE: is harley oil a must?
I run HD dino and HD filter, HD primary mostly because I get $25 chrome cash from a credit card, so the oil is dirt cheap. I recently changed to running Redline shockproof heavy in the trans, and I really like it and I can get it local at Jeg's.
edit
One thing though, if you get one of those credit cards, don't put more on it than you can pay off each month, the interest rate is like 14 to 20% depending on your credit. It'll put you in the poor house quick if you are irresponsible. my 2 cents
edit
One thing though, if you get one of those credit cards, don't put more on it than you can pay off each month, the interest rate is like 14 to 20% depending on your credit. It'll put you in the poor house quick if you are irresponsible. my 2 cents
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From:
RE: is harley oil a must?
ORIGINAL: HGM
Do we know this for a fact?? That is one thing that would make me look into options.. But, its got to be more than just hearsay..
ORIGINAL: MikeyB
Also take into consideration that the HD oil is made by Chitgo, a Hugo Chavez company.
MikeyB
Also take into consideration that the HD oil is made by Chitgo, a Hugo Chavez company.
MikeyB
Lubricants
Product H-D Part#...Manufacturer
H-D WINTER FUEL CONDITIONER 99889-91A HJS of Wisconsin
H-D FUEL ADDITIVE 99893-91A Polar Molecular
H-D FORK OIL TYPE B 99880-73 HJS of Wisconsin
H-D FORK OIL TYPE E 99884-80 CITGO Petroleum
H-D SCREAMIN' EAGLE FORK OIL (HEAVY) 99881-87 CITGO Petroleum
H-D SCREAMIN' EAGLE RACING FORK OIL (EXTRA HEAVY) 99909-93R CITGO Petroleum
H-D PRIMARY LUBRICANT 99887-84 CITGO Petroleum
H-D MOTOR OIL, SAE 10W-40 99816-1040 CITGO Petroleum
H-D MOTOR OIL, SAE 20W-50 99816-2050 CITGO Petroleum
H-D MOTOR OIL, SAE 50 99816-50 CITGO Petroleum
H-D MOTOR OIL, SAE 60 99816-60 CITGO Petroleum
H-D SCREAMIN' EAGLE SYNTHETIC MOTORCYCLE LUBRICANT 99824-03 CITGO Petroleum
H-D SEMI-SYNTHETIC TRANSMISSION LUBRICANT 99892-84 CITGO Petroleum
H-D SPORT-TRANS FLUID 99896-88 HJS of Wisconsin
DOT 5 BRAKE FLUID 99902-77 Dow-Corning
H-D WHEEL BEARING GREASE 99856-92 HJS of Wisconsin
SPECIAL PURPOSE GREASE 99857-97 HJS of Wisconsin
H-D POLY OIL 99860-81 General Polymeric
Product H-D Part#...Manufacturer
HARLEY GLAZE 99701-84 Chemrite Industries
HARLEY GLOSS 94627-98 Chemrite Industries
HARLEY SUN WASH 94659-98 Chemrite Industries
HARLEY SWIRL & SCRATCH REMOVER 94655-98 Chemrite Industries
HARLEY WHEEL & TIRE CLEANER 94658-98 Chemrite Industries
H-D WINDSHIELD WATER REPELLENT 99841-01 Chemrite Industries
H-D SPRAY POLISH 99817-99 Petro-Chemical Products
HARLEY BRIGHT METAL POLISH 99725-89 Rolite Chemical
H-D BLACK CRĂME POLISH 99271-96V Apple Polishes
H-D LEATHER CARE 98263-95V Apple Polishes
H-D LEATHER CLEANER 99274-98V Apple Polishes
H-D SUEDE & FABRIC CLEANER 99272-96V Apple Polishes
H-D LEATHER DRESSING 98261-91V Pecard Chemical
MikeyB
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 8
From: Montgomery, AL
RE: is harley oil a must?
Just my .02 ... I hate that dog Chavez also. But the amount of oil that is used by the US doesn't even affect his bottom line. You have seen all of the emails boycott this boycott that. Citgo was unaffected by this boycott. I'm unsure of how many actually boycotted but still it hasn't hurt him. snopes.com has stories relating to boycotting citgo btw. As for oil I ran valvoline vtwin 20/50 after the first couple of change and then cjanged to H-D brand due to having to get filter there just get oil too. I have run it 40k now and the bike still runs smooth. the 5 bucks additional for the 3 quarts combined is not worth the hassle to me of running to another store for oil. Heck gas money is 3.50 gallon now so 25 extra miles getting oil in my camaro and i save a dollar. I have tried Mobil 1 also 15/50 and it did nothing but made my rocker gaskets leak.Again just my .02 Kent
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 213
Likes: 2
RE: is harley oil a must?
I told you,The lowest bidder. HD oil is another way of HD getting into your pocket.
I am still smiling on the one thread that stated "
The factor to keep in mind is that HD(regardless of who actually makes it)oil is designed as a coolant, not just a lubricant, for an air cooled engine.. "
I guess that the air that runs past my fins does nothing and the oil cools it all.
I am still smiling on the one thread that stated "
The factor to keep in mind is that HD(regardless of who actually makes it)oil is designed as a coolant, not just a lubricant, for an air cooled engine.. "
I guess that the air that runs past my fins does nothing and the oil cools it all.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 15
From: Senoia, Ga., by way of Miami, Fl..
RE: is harley oil a must?
ORIGINAL: 89 FXRS
I told you,The lowest bidder. HD oil is another way of HD getting into your pocket.
I am still smiling on the one thread that stated "
The factor to keep in mind is that HD(regardless of who actually makes it)oil is designed as a coolant, not just a lubricant, for an air cooled engine.. "
I guess that the air that runs past my fins does nothing and the oil cools it all.
I told you,The lowest bidder. HD oil is another way of HD getting into your pocket.
I am still smiling on the one thread that stated "
The factor to keep in mind is that HD(regardless of who actually makes it)oil is designed as a coolant, not just a lubricant, for an air cooled engine.. "
I guess that the air that runs past my fins does nothing and the oil cools it all.