Viscosity of H-D trans fluid
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 564
Likes: 48
RE: Viscosity of H-D trans fluid
ORIGINAL: iclick
From what I understand, Formula+ is a semi-synthetic engine oil, about 10w30 with a bit a EP added, a ripoff at $6.50/qt. and IMO unsuitable for tranny use. Use 10w30 or heavier multi-viscosity fossil engine oil (cheaper may be better in this case), ATF, or MTL in the primary and a 75w90 (preferably synthetic) gear oil for the tranny. Despite HD's rantings about diesel ratings, any 20w50 engine oil will work, although I wouldn't use a fossil oil in the engine. There are simply too many good reasons to use synthetic in the engine of your $20k bike than to yield to a small price difference that amounts to small change every oil change.
ORIGINAL: Dave_E
Don't think I've seen it anywhere yet, but my owners manual says to replace the primary and trans with Formula+Transmission and Primary Chaincase lubricant...What weight is this stuff? Is it synthetic? I'm putting Mobile 1 V-Twin 20-50 in the crank.
Don't think I've seen it anywhere yet, but my owners manual says to replace the primary and trans with Formula+Transmission and Primary Chaincase lubricant...What weight is this stuff? Is it synthetic? I'm putting Mobile 1 V-Twin 20-50 in the crank.
Take Care,
Bill G
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: Viscosity of H-D trans fluid
ORIGINAL: sjoko
when 80W90 GL-4 is recommanded ,....you can't replace it for GL-5 just like that , because the newer additives could be agressive for oil-seal-rings and brass-alloy's !!!
10W40 SL / CF ( halve synth ) in the primairy.
20W50 SL / CF for engine ( crank-case )
Brand : VALVOLINE.
when 80W90 GL-4 is recommanded ,....you can't replace it for GL-5 just like that , because the newer additives could be agressive for oil-seal-rings and brass-alloy's !!!
10W40 SL / CF ( halve synth ) in the primairy.
20W50 SL / CF for engine ( crank-case )
Brand : VALVOLINE.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 163
Likes: 32
From: Amsterdam , The Netherlands
RE: Viscosity of H-D trans fluid
you're right ,...no brass synchro-mesh inside ,....but certain type oil seals and brass-alloys can't stand GL-5 , ...when GL-4 is recommended .
Valvoline recommends DuraBlend 80W90 GL-4 for a HD transmission of an FLSTC '93 ,...why's that ? they don't mention GL-5 , which isin factmore expensive.
Valvoline recommends DuraBlend 80W90 GL-4 for a HD transmission of an FLSTC '93 ,...why's that ? they don't mention GL-5 , which isin factmore expensive.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
RE: Viscosity of H-D trans fluid
ORIGINAL: Bill G
Formula + is not a 10/30 motor oil. I use itin my primary on my 07. I have also used it in the trany and it is more like a gear oil of some type and does not look or feel like any 10/30 motor oil I have seen. I find it to work well in the trany and great in the primary, even thoughon myrecent trany fluid seviceI switched to ahigh quality 75/140 synthetic gear oil.
Formula + is not a 10/30 motor oil. I use itin my primary on my 07. I have also used it in the trany and it is more like a gear oil of some type and does not look or feel like any 10/30 motor oil I have seen. I find it to work well in the trany and great in the primary, even thoughon myrecent trany fluid seviceI switched to ahigh quality 75/140 synthetic gear oil.
FWIW, 75w90 gear oil is equivalent to 10w30 engine oil in viscosity. It is given higher numbers to protect the public from themselves by giving engine and gear oil different designations to avoid confusion.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 564
Likes: 48
RE: Viscosity of H-D trans fluid
ORIGINAL: iclick
Someone on another thread several months ago, not sure which forum, had Forumula+ lab tested, which revealed it was a 10w30 oil with few additives. I didn't do the test nor do I attest to its accuracy, but I'm just passing this info along. In my discussions with HD tech support I was told 10w30 was normal for the primary and that the 20w50 I'm now using was acceptable to quieten the '07 clattering if no clutch issues (slippage, uneven engagement, etc.) surfaced. He said 20w50 was a bit viscous for some climates but was probably okay for the Deep South where I live. I'm not sure why geography matters, as people generally stay home when temps fall below about 40°, and summers are hot almost everywhere. I'm using 20w50 Castrol GTX in my primary and haven't noticed any problems even in cold weather.
FWIW, 75w90 gear oil is equivalent to 10w30 engine oil in viscosity. It is given higher numbers to protect the public from themselves by giving engine and gear oil different designations to avoid confusion.
ORIGINAL: Bill G
Formula + is not a 10/30 motor oil. I use itin my primary on my 07. I have also used it in the trany and it is more like a gear oil of some type and does not look or feel like any 10/30 motor oil I have seen. I find it to work well in the trany and great in the primary, even thoughon myrecent trany fluid seviceI switched to ahigh quality 75/140 synthetic gear oil.
Formula + is not a 10/30 motor oil. I use itin my primary on my 07. I have also used it in the trany and it is more like a gear oil of some type and does not look or feel like any 10/30 motor oil I have seen. I find it to work well in the trany and great in the primary, even thoughon myrecent trany fluid seviceI switched to ahigh quality 75/140 synthetic gear oil.
FWIW, 75w90 gear oil is equivalent to 10w30 engine oil in viscosity. It is given higher numbers to protect the public from themselves by giving engine and gear oil different designations to avoid confusion.
Take Care,
Bill G
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