formula plus
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: formula plus
Well...........since they don't put a spec like the weight of the oil on the container I don't know........I have heard it's about a 50w oil. But it's not a 75w90. Go to autozone and get some Mobil1 synthetic 75w90 and put that in your trans.......your gears will thank you.
BTW...I don't buy anything that doesn't tell me what it is on the label........oil, beer, soda, ammunition, medicine, food, clothing etc.
BTW...I don't buy anything that doesn't tell me what it is on the label........oil, beer, soda, ammunition, medicine, food, clothing etc.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 2
From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: formula plus
I'm not sure the above is such good advice. The new 6 speed is a completly differant trans than the old five speed. There's more to it than just an extra gear: dog rings, differant shifter, helical gears, needle bearings, etc. Just like a T5 is completly differant than a toploader. I wouldn't put 75W90 gear oil in a T5.
I'm not really sure that Formula+ is the best thing available, because I'm not really sure what it is. Nobody seems to know for sure. When I find out what it is, they maybe picking an alternative choice will be a good idea. Until then, I'll keep using it.
I'm not really sure that Formula+ is the best thing available, because I'm not really sure what it is. Nobody seems to know for sure. When I find out what it is, they maybe picking an alternative choice will be a good idea. Until then, I'll keep using it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
RE: formula plus
ORIGINAL: bobcowan
Just like a T5 is completly differant than a toploader. I wouldn't put 75W90 gear oil in a T5.
Just like a T5 is completly differant than a toploader. I wouldn't put 75W90 gear oil in a T5.
I've been using 75w90 gear lube in my T5(85 CJ7)for 10 years.No problems.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: formula plus
ORIGINAL: 1FLTRI4ME
I've been using 75w90 gear lube in my T5(85 CJ7)for 10 years.No problems.
ORIGINAL: bobcowan
Just like a T5 is completly differant than a toploader. I wouldn't put 75W90 gear oil in a T5.
Just like a T5 is completly differant than a toploader. I wouldn't put 75W90 gear oil in a T5.
I've been using 75w90 gear lube in my T5(85 CJ7)for 10 years.No problems.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 2
From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: formula plus
ORIGINAL: KBFXDLI
Exactly.......my dealer puts 75w90 or 85w140 belray in many older bikes.......5speed 6speed doesn't matter. They swear by the stuff. The synthetic versions are just simply better long lasting lubricants than their dino predecessors. Any of the GL-5 gear lubes will do great in a Harley gearbox.
Exactly.......my dealer puts 75w90 or 85w140 belray in many older bikes.......5speed 6speed doesn't matter. They swear by the stuff. The synthetic versions are just simply better long lasting lubricants than their dino predecessors. Any of the GL-5 gear lubes will do great in a Harley gearbox.
Look at car transmissions. Compare the toploader to a Richmond 5 speed. Pretty much the same animal, just an extra gear. Standard gear oil works well for both. But compare the T5 to a Richmond 5 or toploader. Not even close. Completely differant. Read the service manual. If you want a smooth shifting T5 or Tremec for the next 10 years, you use a very light synthetic auto trans lube. My Tremec TKO calls for GM Synchromesh fluid.
And what is Formula+ exactly? Does anybody know? If you don't know what it is, how can you make an intelligent decision about a replacement? If you don't ride much, then it really doesn't matter. You could probably use baby oil, and it would last long enough for you. But if you ride a lot of miles in a lot of conditions, and plan to keep the bike for a long time, you need to make smart choices on things like this. "What we always used" is not always the right answer.
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Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: formula plus
Well I am using Redline Shockproof Heavy and my trans shifts better than formula +, runs quieter than formula+ and I can find neutral easier. I am not alone here. Many of the people on this forum have had great results with synthetic gear oil versus the HD lubricants. I had considered using the lighterweight Shockproof Gear lubes from Redline but they recommend against it. I don't have to know what formula plus is to know I like the results of a heavier gear oil in the trans. So how many synchros are in a new HD 6 speed?
Here is the quote from Redline's website about Shockproof Heavy:
Heavy ShockProofâ˘
A unique lubricant containing a suspension of solid microscopic particles as an extreme pressure agent--unique solid dispersion which cushions gear teeth to help prevent tooth breakage and allows the use of lower viscosities. Recommended for heavily-loaded racing differentials and transmissions, Off Road racing and problem gearboxes. The viscosity characteristics allow the lubricant to resist throwoff and provide a film thickness similar to a 75W250 grade, while providing the same low fluid friction as an SAE 75W90.
Recommended for Big-Twin transmissions (Twin Cam, '84-up EVO, Knucklehead, Shovelhead, Panhead). Big-Twin primary chaincase should use our MTL product.
Here is the quote from Redline's website about Shockproof Heavy:
Heavy ShockProofâ˘
A unique lubricant containing a suspension of solid microscopic particles as an extreme pressure agent--unique solid dispersion which cushions gear teeth to help prevent tooth breakage and allows the use of lower viscosities. Recommended for heavily-loaded racing differentials and transmissions, Off Road racing and problem gearboxes. The viscosity characteristics allow the lubricant to resist throwoff and provide a film thickness similar to a 75W250 grade, while providing the same low fluid friction as an SAE 75W90.
Recommended for Big-Twin transmissions (Twin Cam, '84-up EVO, Knucklehead, Shovelhead, Panhead). Big-Twin primary chaincase should use our MTL product.
ORIGINAL: bobcowan
That's because the older 5 speeds and 6 speeds are pretty much the same animal, just an extra gear. Gear oil works well in both. But the new 6 speed is differant.
Look at car transmissions. Compare the toploader to a Richmond 5 speed. Pretty much the same animal, just an extra gear. Standard gear oil works well for both. But compare the T5 to a Richmond 5 or toploader. Not even close. Completely differant. Read the service manual. If you want a smooth shifting T5 or Tremec for the next 10 years, you use a very light synthetic auto trans lube. My Tremec TKO calls for GM Synchromesh fluid.
And what is Formula+ exactly? Does anybody know? If you don't know what it is, how can you make an intelligent decision about a replacement? If you don't ride much, then it really doesn't matter. You could probably use baby oil, and it would last long enough for you. But if you ride a lot of miles in a lot of conditions, and plan to keep the bike for a long time, you need to make smart choices on things like this. "What we always used" is not always the right answer.
ORIGINAL: KBFXDLI
Exactly.......my dealer puts 75w90 or 85w140 belray in many older bikes.......5speed 6speed doesn't matter. They swear by the stuff. The synthetic versions are just simply better long lasting lubricants than their dino predecessors. Any of the GL-5 gear lubes will do great in a Harley gearbox.
Exactly.......my dealer puts 75w90 or 85w140 belray in many older bikes.......5speed 6speed doesn't matter. They swear by the stuff. The synthetic versions are just simply better long lasting lubricants than their dino predecessors. Any of the GL-5 gear lubes will do great in a Harley gearbox.
Look at car transmissions. Compare the toploader to a Richmond 5 speed. Pretty much the same animal, just an extra gear. Standard gear oil works well for both. But compare the T5 to a Richmond 5 or toploader. Not even close. Completely differant. Read the service manual. If you want a smooth shifting T5 or Tremec for the next 10 years, you use a very light synthetic auto trans lube. My Tremec TKO calls for GM Synchromesh fluid.
And what is Formula+ exactly? Does anybody know? If you don't know what it is, how can you make an intelligent decision about a replacement? If you don't ride much, then it really doesn't matter. You could probably use baby oil, and it would last long enough for you. But if you ride a lot of miles in a lot of conditions, and plan to keep the bike for a long time, you need to make smart choices on things like this. "What we always used" is not always the right answer.
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anubisss
Oil Archive (no new posts)
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Apr 7, 2006 07:50 PM
alternatives, amsoil, chemical, davidson, fluid, formula, harley, harleydavidson, hd, makeup, oil, trans, transmission, viscosity, weight
