Shovelhead A place to talk about Shovelheads.

1979 flh

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 17, 2009 | 03:59 PM
  #1  
HD47knuckle's Avatar
HD47knuckle
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 61
Likes: 1
From: Fremont,Ohio
Default 1979 flh

Can you use 20w-50 oil in it or does it have to be strait 50 weight?
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2009 | 04:25 PM
  #2  
blackmopar's Avatar
blackmopar
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
From: fallbrook, socal
Default

use straight 50
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2009 | 06:35 AM
  #3  
77HDFX's Avatar
77HDFX
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 202
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
Default

People use both. Couple guys up north run multi with no problems. The outside temps vary more.
Myself I have never run anything but 50.
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2009 | 06:53 AM
  #4  
dog155's Avatar
dog155
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
Default

Originally Posted by 77HDFX
People use both. Couple guys up north run multi with no problems. The outside temps vary more.
Myself I have never run anything but 50.
20/50 is Okay, as always it is up to individual preference.
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2009 | 10:15 AM
  #5  
48pan's Avatar
48pan
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 260
Likes: 3
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Default

Can be either. I run 20-60w syn in my 48. It makes it a lot easier to kick over when it's cooler out.
 
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2009 | 04:25 PM
  #6  
FilthyLucre's Avatar
FilthyLucre
Road Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 39
From: NW Florida
Default

In S. FL for the last 37 years I've run either straight 60 or 70. The old Harley 105 was a 60 weight.
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2009 | 03:54 PM
  #7  
amfhd's Avatar
amfhd
Cruiser
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 142
Likes: 44
From:
Default

I have run 20-50 in my shovel for about 25 years. I do have solid lifters and a sealed primary. I don't know if 20-50 will work with the shovel hydraulic lifters. It starts easy when cold, doesn't smoke or use oil, never had an engine failure.
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2009 | 04:42 PM
  #8  
wuzfuz's Avatar
wuzfuz
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 406
Likes: 14
Default

I've used 20/50 Power Blend (called 360 now) in my '81 FXEF since the day I brought it home new from the dealer. It's your decision, 50 0r 60 might be better in the south, but no problems in 30 seasons of riding.
WUZFUZ
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 20, 2009 | 08:06 AM
  #9  
HD47knuckle's Avatar
HD47knuckle
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 61
Likes: 1
From: Fremont,Ohio
Default Oil

Thank you to all who responded.I appeciat the help. I just rebuilt the motor and its time for the frst oil change. Don't want to screw it up too much time restoring the bike. will have pic's soon."Keep the Shiny side up rubber side Down."
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2009 | 08:06 PM
  #10  
06roadglide's Avatar
06roadglide
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: sw ohio
Default

I use 25/60 in mine. Been running it for years without a problem running Velva-touch lifters.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:33 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE