Ultima 20W50 Full Synthetic
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 535
Likes: 14
From: Highspire Pa
Ultima 20W50 Full Synthetic
Anyone use Ultima 20W50 Full Synthetic oil? In the catalog it is listed at $6.99 a quart in the Jireh catalog and it is listed in the Ultima motor manual as one of the recommended oils, along with Mobil 1 and Amsoil. Everything else from Ultima seems pretty good.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 66
Likes: 2
From: Sigourney, Iowa
I've been using Amzoil in my cars for 20+ years with good success. I change it at 10,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first. Switched my '86 FXRS over last spring, and in 3,000 miles it used a half a quart. One thing about synthetics- they are thinner than their dino counterparts, so tend to find places to leak if available. None of my current vehicles (Harley included) drip, but it is more likely with a synthetic.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 17
From:
Synthetics are not thinner than dino oil. If the container says 20w50, then it has to be 20w50, the same viscosity as any other 20w50. Synthetics will scour away some of the carbon buildup that occurs in the engine, more so than dino, and this can cause some leaks on older engines that have more buildup.
The only advantage to synthetic is it doesn't break down as readily at high engine temperatures as dino oil. If I had a Twin Cam which typically run very hot, I might consider using syn oil. But if you have a cool-running Evo, using syn oil, especially $7 syn oil, is probably a waste of money.
The only advantage to synthetic is it doesn't break down as readily at high engine temperatures as dino oil. If I had a Twin Cam which typically run very hot, I might consider using syn oil. But if you have a cool-running Evo, using syn oil, especially $7 syn oil, is probably a waste of money.
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 535
Likes: 14
From: Highspire Pa
Thanks again to all...
Well mp , I have an evo powered bagger, but the 113 is not a cool running one - yet. Midwest recommends switching to synthetic after the first 500 miles on their big inch Ultima engines. Likewise , I have read synthetic can lower the oil temperature as much as 10 degrees, which would be helpful. I was not sure of the "Ultima" brand oil, so getting the OK from John was all I needed to decide to try the Ultima brand synthetic oil after the break in period.
Well mp , I have an evo powered bagger, but the 113 is not a cool running one - yet. Midwest recommends switching to synthetic after the first 500 miles on their big inch Ultima engines. Likewise , I have read synthetic can lower the oil temperature as much as 10 degrees, which would be helpful. I was not sure of the "Ultima" brand oil, so getting the OK from John was all I needed to decide to try the Ultima brand synthetic oil after the break in period.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 267
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
I've used Redline products in all the holes in all of my bikes for years. Amsoil in all of my other vehicles. No complaints.
We use mostly-synthetic Exxon Elite aircraft engine oil in our overworked towplanes - about 750 hours of continuous full-throttle-at-redline RPM ops/year - at my glider operation and when the engines are torn down at 2000 hours, the cylinders, cams etc are still at new specs. Never had anything even close to that with dino oil. I'd run full synthetic in them if the FAA would approve it.
We use mostly-synthetic Exxon Elite aircraft engine oil in our overworked towplanes - about 750 hours of continuous full-throttle-at-redline RPM ops/year - at my glider operation and when the engines are torn down at 2000 hours, the cylinders, cams etc are still at new specs. Never had anything even close to that with dino oil. I'd run full synthetic in them if the FAA would approve it.
Last edited by jpooch00; Dec 13, 2008 at 05:19 AM.
Trending Topics
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 66
Likes: 2
From: Sigourney, Iowa
MP- I use Synthetic Oil in the Harley more for internal wear mitigation than for engine cooling. That (combined with fewer oil changes) is also why I started using Synthetics in the first place.
JPooch- Back in the 80's Amzoil did make full Synthetic Aviation oil. Alas, a couple lawsuits later convinced them that it wasn't worth it. Gotta love lawyers.
JPooch- Back in the 80's Amzoil did make full Synthetic Aviation oil. Alas, a couple lawsuits later convinced them that it wasn't worth it. Gotta love lawyers.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 267
From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado
Hey IA DPE,
What happened? Did someone sue them for making their engine last too long??
Sheesh! Always seems like there's some a$$hole that has to screw things up.
Ride safe & have a great Christmas.
John
What happened? Did someone sue them for making their engine last too long??
Sheesh! Always seems like there's some a$$hole that has to screw things up.
Ride safe & have a great Christmas.
John
