Oil question...
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 507
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From: Cleveland, OH - Longing for Savannah, GA
Oil question...
Hey guys..
I know the 76 Iron requires 70 weight oil.....I have 20-50 in it now and will be changing it after all the initial burnoff and whatnot from putting it back together. Should I stay with this thin 20-50 or should I replace it with something other? Any thoughts?
I know the 76 Iron requires 70 weight oil.....I have 20-50 in it now and will be changing it after all the initial burnoff and whatnot from putting it back together. Should I stay with this thin 20-50 or should I replace it with something other? Any thoughts?
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 328
Likes: 2
RE: Oil question...
The oil that HD originally recommended for that year engine was based on a viscosity standard other than SAE.
The grades were something like 140, 90, and 80. I don't remember the exact numbers on these, but something like that.
The 140 was for extremely hot weather operation, the 90 was for normal operation, and the 80 was for cold weather operation.
The 140 equates to SAE 70, the 90 equates to something like SAE 60, and 80 is roughly the equivalent of SAE 50.
The engines that were built then were built a little looser and requried heavier oils.
Those engines also had a transfer valve that will let the engine and primary oil intermix some, so whatever you run in the engine has to be run in the primary.
I run SAE 60 in my 76 engine and primary.
The grades were something like 140, 90, and 80. I don't remember the exact numbers on these, but something like that.
The 140 was for extremely hot weather operation, the 90 was for normal operation, and the 80 was for cold weather operation.
The 140 equates to SAE 70, the 90 equates to something like SAE 60, and 80 is roughly the equivalent of SAE 50.
The engines that were built then were built a little looser and requried heavier oils.
Those engines also had a transfer valve that will let the engine and primary oil intermix some, so whatever you run in the engine has to be run in the primary.
I run SAE 60 in my 76 engine and primary.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: Oil question...
ironxl....
You are about right on with that. For 1974 and earlier....I will make that clear this time, the Harley grades you refer to were:
Harley Grade 75.....Medium Heavy oil.......Use above 40F
Harley Grade 58.....Special Light oil..........Use below 40F
Harley Grade 105...Regular Heavy oil.......Use at severe operating conditions at high air temperatures.
Grade 75 was equal to SAE 60wt
Grade 58 was equal to SAE 50wt
Grade 105 was equal to SAE 70wt
You are correct in your recomendation to use SAE 60wt for normal summer riding. I have always used 70wt Castrol after H-D 75 disappeared around here in Houston. I have now seen H-D SAE 60wt at the dealers recently, so that is what I will begin to use at the next oil change...........pg
You are about right on with that. For 1974 and earlier....I will make that clear this time, the Harley grades you refer to were:
Harley Grade 75.....Medium Heavy oil.......Use above 40F
Harley Grade 58.....Special Light oil..........Use below 40F
Harley Grade 105...Regular Heavy oil.......Use at severe operating conditions at high air temperatures.
Grade 75 was equal to SAE 60wt
Grade 58 was equal to SAE 50wt
Grade 105 was equal to SAE 70wt
You are correct in your recomendation to use SAE 60wt for normal summer riding. I have always used 70wt Castrol after H-D 75 disappeared around here in Houston. I have now seen H-D SAE 60wt at the dealers recently, so that is what I will begin to use at the next oil change...........pg
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