Fluids from factory?
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2023
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From: NM
Fluids from factory?
Picked up a '26 Heritage yesterday for my wife's first bike. Can anyone tell me for sure what type of oil the factory is using nowadays in this 117? AI tells me that it is mineral oil, not synthetic - HD 360 to be specific; I prefer mineral oil for engine break in. I'm also curious about the other two holes as well.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,776
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From: Honah Lee
The engine is so close tolerance now, there broke in, in 100 miles.
Just an opinion, but Harley still gives a procedure. But that's just in case they missed something and they want you to proof it reasonably in that time period.
Just an opinion, but Harley still gives a procedure. But that's just in case they missed something and they want you to proof it reasonably in that time period.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 540
Likes: 121
From: Utopia
You might get more/better answers at the 2018+ Softail M8 forum:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/2018-softail-models-206/
(this is the 2000-2017 Softail TwinCam forum)
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/2018-softail-models-206/
(this is the 2000-2017 Softail TwinCam forum)
Last edited by bustergut; Yesterday at 12:46 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,558
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From: Lititz Pa
Change it at 1000 miles or so use your favorite synthetic oil. I use Mobil 1 in crank case, Bell ray in trans. and primary. ANYONE KNOE THE BEST OIL TO USR???????????????????????? lol
Last edited by touchdown; Yesterday at 10:40 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,253
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From: San Diego, CA
For years Harley shipped all new bikes with Dino Oil. I know for certain, my new 2012 Ultra Limited came with dino oil. That was 9 years after HD started selling/promoting their Syn3 oil. I haven't bought a new bike since then.
There were rumors that Harley shipped synthetic oil from the factory in CVO bikes, but I have not confirmed that. I never owned a new CVO. I would doubt it, just from a financial perspective.
Based on the current price of a 5QT oil change kit, between syn3 oil ($114.95) and 360 oil ($83.95), it's about $6 per qt difference between the two, or $30 per M8 bike.
Knowing HD, adding $30 per new bike delivered from the factory, would not be something they would choose to do, if there was an easy alternative (ie: HD 360 oil)..
Harley claims 89,132 new units sold in North America in 2025. Shipping all those bikes with 360 oil v Syn3 would save them $2,673,960.
Globally they claim 132,500 (12% decline from 2024) units sold. Shipping with HD 360 oil v Syn3 would save them $3,975,000.
In a declining market, I would suspect the MoCo would choose to save $4 million in their oil at delivery choice...
There were rumors that Harley shipped synthetic oil from the factory in CVO bikes, but I have not confirmed that. I never owned a new CVO. I would doubt it, just from a financial perspective.
Based on the current price of a 5QT oil change kit, between syn3 oil ($114.95) and 360 oil ($83.95), it's about $6 per qt difference between the two, or $30 per M8 bike.
Knowing HD, adding $30 per new bike delivered from the factory, would not be something they would choose to do, if there was an easy alternative (ie: HD 360 oil)..
Harley claims 89,132 new units sold in North America in 2025. Shipping all those bikes with 360 oil v Syn3 would save them $2,673,960.
Globally they claim 132,500 (12% decline from 2024) units sold. Shipping with HD 360 oil v Syn3 would save them $3,975,000.
In a declining market, I would suspect the MoCo would choose to save $4 million in their oil at delivery choice...
Last edited by hattitude; Yesterday at 08:46 AM.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 129
Likes: 84
From: NM
For years Harley shipped all new bikes with Dino Oil. I know for certain, my new 2012 Ultra Limited came with dino oil. That was 9 years after HD started selling/promoting their Syn3 oil. I haven't bought a new bike since then.
There were rumors that Harley shipped synthetic oil from the factory in CVO bikes, but I have not confirmed that. I never owned a new CVO. I would doubt it, just from a financial perspective.
Based on the current price of a 5QT oil change kit, between syn3 oil ($114.95) and 360 oil ($83.95), it's about $6 per qt difference between the two, or $30 per M8 bike.
Knowing HD, adding $30 per new bike delivered from the factory, would not be something they would choose to do, if there was an easy alternative (ie: HD 360 oil)..
Harley claims 89,132 new units sold in North America in 2025. Shipping all those bikes with 360 oil v Syn3 would save them $2,673,960.
Globally they claim 132,500 (12% decline from 2024) units sold. Shipping with HD 360 oil v Syn3 would save them $3,975,000.
In a declining market, I would suspect the MoCo would choose to save $4 million in their oil at delivery choice...
There were rumors that Harley shipped synthetic oil from the factory in CVO bikes, but I have not confirmed that. I never owned a new CVO. I would doubt it, just from a financial perspective.
Based on the current price of a 5QT oil change kit, between syn3 oil ($114.95) and 360 oil ($83.95), it's about $6 per qt difference between the two, or $30 per M8 bike.
Knowing HD, adding $30 per new bike delivered from the factory, would not be something they would choose to do, if there was an easy alternative (ie: HD 360 oil)..
Harley claims 89,132 new units sold in North America in 2025. Shipping all those bikes with 360 oil v Syn3 would save them $2,673,960.
Globally they claim 132,500 (12% decline from 2024) units sold. Shipping with HD 360 oil v Syn3 would save them $3,975,000.
In a declining market, I would suspect the MoCo would choose to save $4 million in their oil at delivery choice...
That sounds logical. Kind of like apple not shipping phones with wallwort chargers.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 129
Likes: 84
From: NM
I will pull that up online and look, no more hardcopy owner's manuals are given with a new bike.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 129
Likes: 84
From: NM
You might get more/better answers at the 2018+ Softail M8 forum:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/2018-softail-models-206/
(this is the 2000-2017 Softail TwinCam forum)
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/2018-softail-models-206/
(this is the 2000-2017 Softail TwinCam forum)