After looking through my 2011 & 2013 manual, I can't find were H-D actually lists an API spec for the oil. They list the weights for temperatures in a chart.

Does H-D list an API spec in the service manual? Looking at a bottle of Syn3, it doesn't have an API spec donut.

 

I believe a JASO spec oil is what is specified, but could be wrong.

 

I believe if you read thru the service manual they do make a reference to using an oil that carries an SG rating. It's buried in with stuff most people don't read. The reason there's no API spec on Harley's or any other brand of "motorcycle specific oil" is, there is no API spec for motorcycle oil. Motorcycle mfgrs will state, use an oil that meets a certain spec, Harley included. Most motorcycle oil makers might state on their bottle that it meets or exceeds a given spec. You have to trust that it does. Kinda makes you wonder why you would pay TOP DOLLAR for an oil that doesn't have to meet any given spec?. But you can buy API rated oil for you car, for less then $3.oo a bottle when it's on sale.,,

 

On my sportbikes & dirt bike, the manual recommends a JASO-MA rating.

I'm surprised at the SG rating, that is a very old rating from the late 80's to the early 90's.

 

My 2011 Sporty service manual states to use a diesel oil when MoCo ones aren't available, of CH-4, CI-4 or CJ-4 spec.

 

I just got in a pissing contest with a "resident" EXPERT on one of the other FORUMS about the H-D 360 Motorcycle Oil 20W50 Specifications

I went down to the Richmond INDIANA dealership & Purchased an $8.01 ... 1-quart bottle of dinosaur oil
When I got it home --- there was absolutely NO indication of ANY specification on the entire (Front nor Back) of the Black Plastic BOTTLE

I argued that the VALVOLINE 20W50 Four Stroke Air Cooled Motorcycle Oil that I purchase @ AutoZone for $4.27 ... which ... MORE than fulfills my (non-existent) WARRANTY requirements
The VALVOLINE specifies it has a specification of:
JASO MA
API / SF / SG / SJ / and assures the user that using it's product will NOT void any MFG Warranty

Any help on the actual H-D 360 Motorcycle Oil would be appreciated - but - I am told ... over & Over & OVER again that these specifications are Double SECRET "proprietary" (which is just corporate Bovine Defecation !)

I just discovered that my .jpg photos were too LARGE to POST (sorry)