So I'm new to the forum and new to all this I've been raised around Harley's my whole life now at 26 just bought my own. I have a couple questions for the Veterans of riding and mechanical work. I hear that i should be using 50wt oil for Engine and also Primary? True? or False?...

Since I've received the Motorcycle I've changed the spark plugs which i will post pictures of for refrance and prior warning the guy before me didn't maintain this bike well from what I'm seeing was getting into the bike everything is "no big deal" attitude when i ask. I guess i just have more respect for the heirloom. The thing is old and will continue to run with the right maintenance followed hope i can get some help. Thanks Blake for Hollywood Fl

 

Welcome to the Forum
True on both counts and when it get's really hot where you are at add some STP or if you can find 60wt for the engine

 

For 1983 [all years 1977-on] it is normal to use HD Formula+ in the primary. For the engine 50 is the choice for average temperatures, 60 for very hot climates, 20W50 for winter [up here where it gets really cold ].

1976 and previous have an "oil transfer valve" in the primary which causes some mixing of engine and primary oil. That is why those years use the same oil in both.

There are many other "recommendations" for oil types etc. What I am suggesting is the normal choices, absent any "personal opinions, rumours, fairy tales, fake science etc".

 

SO i did the oil and primary Oil Change my self used the sportster primary fluid and 60wt in the engine wish i would have know the they mix would have got the same i went to quick on doing it i guess..

New update though. Ill be getting a Brand new S&S Super E Carburetor put on for around 6bills and new tires went with sheiko for about 3bills the price difference instead of like dunlop helped. Looking to put new Coil Pack on and new Spark Plug Wires already put new plugs After that there won't be much else to fix other than just rebuilding it. Any other pointer?

 

I believe that the amount of oil that will mix thru the oil transfer valve is not a significant issue. I would not fix it until it is time for another primary oil change. You might see what others say as I am not expert on this topic.

 

There is NOT a oil transfer -- engine to primary / '83
trans and primary uses the same oil , so when you changed your primary oil you also changed your trans oil . so you do NOT want to ever use a gear oil in your primary as the clutches do not like it . Only the H-D primary oil or 50wt motor oil , here's why , 50wt motor oil and 90 gear oil is the same viscosity , the 90 in gear oil is used only to determine the different chemicals in it to only be used with helical gears for a sheer resistance .

The gears in H-D are straight tooth gear , Tractor - trailer most of their trans are straight tooth gears and use 40wt motor oil , so H-D's are very safe with 50wt

 

Ooops! When I posted this I had temporarily forgotten that the bike in question is 1983 Thank you to 81rat for the correction.

 

No problem IronMick
There are so many models and changes that it's tough to keep up with the times of things , not even H-D can do that correctly , I can only to the ones that I am close to and that's just a few years and models as '79 to '83 H-D's worst era and still learning that anything goes was their motto at that time
Have a good Sunday

 

Worst era? The Ironhead Sportster evolved throughout its long run, and there were significant differences in just about every year model. I have an '83 and it's been a great machine the 27 years I've owned it so far.

Yes, I use the exact engine and primary oils that Iron Mick suggested. Running 60wt right now, and will switch to 20w50 when it gets cold outside.