engine oil instead of primary oil?
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
From: Istanbul
engine oil instead of primary oil?
Hello, I hope you are all safe!
because of the coronavirus I prefer to stay home and working on my bike today I was going to change the engine oil and primary oil so I have 4LT Motul 20w50 engine oil, should I use it as a primary oil? I couldn't find a certain answer on google some of says 75w90 engine oil, others saying 20w50 engine oil would be enough.. on the other hand some of prefer using primary oil of harley davidson.
I don't have a primary oil right now, If it's necessary I have to buy it online...
I have 2010 Sportster 883R
because of the coronavirus I prefer to stay home and working on my bike today I was going to change the engine oil and primary oil so I have 4LT Motul 20w50 engine oil, should I use it as a primary oil? I couldn't find a certain answer on google some of says 75w90 engine oil, others saying 20w50 engine oil would be enough.. on the other hand some of prefer using primary oil of harley davidson.
I don't have a primary oil right now, If it's necessary I have to buy it online...
I have 2010 Sportster 883R
Last edited by BBD98; May 17, 2020 at 07:13 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
When I changed out clutch on my Sporty, the mfg recommended I use Type F ATF. I called and talked to them and they finally told me not to use HD Syn3 because it had additives that made things slippery. He said they had some issues with that....not all but enough they could not recommend. Personally I use AMSOIL and keep oils for all three holes. I would recommend you use something that will cover both gears and clutches. Type F has good additives, is run in auto trans with gears and clutches. You should not be worried to try it. As will a primary type oil. Lots of choices out there...do a search on this forum and you will find a bazillion thoughts. Someone will be along shortly to tell you I'm full of **** and my recommendations are crap!
Good luck!!
Good luck!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7,528
Likes: 12,142
From: Indianapolis
My opinion and not wanting to start any arguments.
Can you use motor oil in the primary, yes. Is it the best choice, no.
Motor oil is not formulated to lubricate gears, the constant meshing of them prematurely breaks down the additive package. The 20w50 you put in won't be a 20w50 after a while, it's the additives that allow the oil to act like a 20 weight when cold and a 50 weight when hot. It is my understanding most motor oils start with a 20 weight and they add the additives to make it behave like a 50 weight when hot. One reason I use Redline for the engine is I've read they start with a 50 weight oil and add the additives to make it behave like a 20 weight when cold.
Personally I use gear oil in the primary.
Can you use motor oil in the primary, yes. Is it the best choice, no.
Motor oil is not formulated to lubricate gears, the constant meshing of them prematurely breaks down the additive package. The 20w50 you put in won't be a 20w50 after a while, it's the additives that allow the oil to act like a 20 weight when cold and a 50 weight when hot. It is my understanding most motor oils start with a 20 weight and they add the additives to make it behave like a 50 weight when hot. One reason I use Redline for the engine is I've read they start with a 50 weight oil and add the additives to make it behave like a 20 weight when cold.
Personally I use gear oil in the primary.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 183
Likes: 118
From: Southern California
Hello, I hope you are all safe!
because of the coronavirus I prefer to stay home and working on my bike today I was going to change the engine oil and primary oil so I have 4LT Motul 20w50 engine oil, should I use it as a primary oil? I couldn't find a certain answer on google some of says 75w90 engine oil, others saying 20w50 engine oil would be enough.. on the other hand some of prefer using primary oil of harley davidson.
I don't have a primary oil right now, If it's necessary I have to buy it online...
I have 2010 Sportster 883R
because of the coronavirus I prefer to stay home and working on my bike today I was going to change the engine oil and primary oil so I have 4LT Motul 20w50 engine oil, should I use it as a primary oil? I couldn't find a certain answer on google some of says 75w90 engine oil, others saying 20w50 engine oil would be enough.. on the other hand some of prefer using primary oil of harley davidson.
I don't have a primary oil right now, If it's necessary I have to buy it online...
I have 2010 Sportster 883R
I recently changed the oil on my 2019 Street Glide Special...I used the following oil in all three holes; engine, transmission, and clutch. It's okay...
Semper Fi
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,278
Likes: 465
From: anywhere
He has a sportster not a big twin it only has two holes for oil. The recommended oil is formula plus. Use any oil you like but if you use the formula plus your tranny will last for a long long time. Use another oil and take your chances. Harley puts millions into developing their bikes so I would trust their recommendations more than others
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Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,406
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From: Straight Jacket Memories and Sedative Highs
Harley has been doing it for over 20 years. jap bikes doing it forever, though they say the oil for those is supposed to have additives.
Some guys swear they can tell the diffence when using this or that. I am not that sensitive.
Some guys swear they can tell the diffence when using this or that. I am not that sensitive.
