Mobile 1
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,983
Likes: 2,144
From: Ohio
Mobil 1 15w 50 has ZDDP....
https://mobiloil.com/~/media/amer/us...pecs-guide.pdf
Mobil One 15w 50 levels............phosphorus-1200 ppm.......zinc-1300 ppm
Mobil One 20w 50 levels............phodphorue - 1600 ppm......zinc - 1750 ppm
That's "parts per million" ^^^^ not a whole lot of difference.
Mobil 1 15W-50 also contains higher levels of anti-wear (ZDDP or Zinc DialkylDithioPhosphate)
Lots of Harley owners have been happily running 15w 50 for years. Google it and you'll find a lot of info. The 15w 50 has a great additive package which is VERY SIMILAR to the 20w 50. Really the only difference is the 20w 50 is wet clutch (for metric bikes) compatible, and it says V-Twin on the bottle. Your money, your choice, but the 15w 50 will do a great job in your Harley engine.
https://mobiloil.com/~/media/amer/us...pecs-guide.pdf
Mobil One 15w 50 levels............phosphorus-1200 ppm.......zinc-1300 ppm
Mobil One 20w 50 levels............phodphorue - 1600 ppm......zinc - 1750 ppm
That's "parts per million" ^^^^ not a whole lot of difference.
Mobil 1 15W-50 also contains higher levels of anti-wear (ZDDP or Zinc DialkylDithioPhosphate)
Lots of Harley owners have been happily running 15w 50 for years. Google it and you'll find a lot of info. The 15w 50 has a great additive package which is VERY SIMILAR to the 20w 50. Really the only difference is the 20w 50 is wet clutch (for metric bikes) compatible, and it says V-Twin on the bottle. Your money, your choice, but the 15w 50 will do a great job in your Harley engine.
Last edited by hd4evr2008; Jun 5, 2019 at 07:55 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,983
Likes: 2,144
From: Ohio
I meant higher levels than "car oil", not higher levels than the 20w 50. The 15w 50 additive package is better than a lot of so called "motorcycle oils". But, like I said, your money, your call. The 15w 50 is what I'll stick with.
Last edited by hd4evr2008; Jun 5, 2019 at 09:10 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 307
From: mid Michigan
I've ran alot of the 15-50, only reason I got the 20-50 it was on clearance at $6. This is the first time with no top end noise that I can hear. Plan to try VR1 after use up the M1 to see if it's as good. Just don't think I'll want to run the VR1 in cold temps though would rather have synthetic then.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,173
Likes: 12,740
From: South Carolina
The big reason for needing ZDDP is for engines with flat tappets.
Last time I checked, no Harley has flat tappets.
Nobody is wearing their engines out by using automotive 20w50 of any brand.
There is no such thing as Mobile 1...
Last time I checked, no Harley has flat tappets.
Nobody is wearing their engines out by using automotive 20w50 of any brand.
There is no such thing as Mobile 1...
Last edited by Dan89FLSTC; Jun 6, 2019 at 02:16 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,173
Likes: 12,740
From: South Carolina
Parts certainly wear out, and no oil is going to be the magic cure.
No reason to get snotty here. It`s only an oil discussion, be civil.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,983
Likes: 2,144
From: Ohio
Here's a virgin oil sample of each, tested by CTC Analytical Services of Phoenix, AZ.
Silicon: - M1 15W-50: 9ppm .........M1 V-Twin 20W-50:10ppm
Boron: - M1 15W-50: 228ppm .........M1 V-Twin 20W-50: 188ppm
Sodium: - M1 15W-50: 13ppm......... M1 V-Twin 20W-50: 3ppm
Magnesium: - M1 15W-50: 43ppm....... M1 V-Twin 20W-50: 538ppm
Calcium: - M1 15W-50: 2464ppm........ M1 V-Twin 20W-50: 1899ppm
Zinc: - M1 15W-50: 1315ppm......... M1 V-Twin 20W-50:. 1352ppm
Molybdenum: - M1 15W-50: 90ppm...... M1 V-Twin 20W-50: 0ppm
Looks pretty good to me.
Silicon: - M1 15W-50: 9ppm .........M1 V-Twin 20W-50:10ppm
Boron: - M1 15W-50: 228ppm .........M1 V-Twin 20W-50: 188ppm
Sodium: - M1 15W-50: 13ppm......... M1 V-Twin 20W-50: 3ppm
Magnesium: - M1 15W-50: 43ppm....... M1 V-Twin 20W-50: 538ppm
Calcium: - M1 15W-50: 2464ppm........ M1 V-Twin 20W-50: 1899ppm
Zinc: - M1 15W-50: 1315ppm......... M1 V-Twin 20W-50:. 1352ppm
Molybdenum: - M1 15W-50: 90ppm...... M1 V-Twin 20W-50: 0ppm
Looks pretty good to me.
Last edited by hd4evr2008; Jun 10, 2019 at 05:41 PM.