oil change
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
From: Southern Indiana
Getting ready to do this myself. I plan on using Mobil 1 V-twin 20w50 in Engine, Mobil 1 75W90 in Trans, and still up in the air for the Primary, maybe just a regular non-synthetic 10W40. Some say not to use the HD stuff, lots of metal flakes in the oil! Good luck, this will likely be moved to the oil Tech area. Hours of enjoyment and confusion there!
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 279
Likes: 1
From: WV
best oil is probally the most talked about topic.
I use Red-Line in the primary and tranny, currently using amsoil in the engine but will change to Mobil-1 next time due to the price and Wal-Mart and Advance Auto stocking it.
There are hundreds of sites out there that compare oils and say one is better then the other, the thing I find funny is the fine print "Sponcered by ******" now how fair is that.
The fact is most don't abuse their engine like a pro race driver and the typicial rider just enjoys the drive from point a to point b or bar to bar so any good quality should be fine.
My recommendation would be synthetic though due to it's higher heat rating with the air cooled engine.
I use Red-Line in the primary and tranny, currently using amsoil in the engine but will change to Mobil-1 next time due to the price and Wal-Mart and Advance Auto stocking it.
There are hundreds of sites out there that compare oils and say one is better then the other, the thing I find funny is the fine print "Sponcered by ******" now how fair is that.
The fact is most don't abuse their engine like a pro race driver and the typicial rider just enjoys the drive from point a to point b or bar to bar so any good quality should be fine.
My recommendation would be synthetic though due to it's higher heat rating with the air cooled engine.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 4
From: Sunny South Florida
I use standard dino 20w-50 in the primary, Mobil One 15W-50 (not v-twin) in the crankcase and 75w-90 Lucas in the trans.
Any oil can be used in the primary, as its only real function is minor lubrication and cooling. Just make sure there are no friction additives in it.
The bottom half of the circle noted at arrow 4 should be blank if the oil is good to use in the primary. This is the reasoning for the "V-Twin" notation on the Mobil one oils. They do not contain friction modifiers. However standard Mobil one does. Our engines can utilize the advanced friction fighters but the clutch cannot. Hence why I use standard Mobil One in the engine and standard Dino in the primary. You could also use Syn in there but it is such a light duty oil, there is little benefit and I would rather spend my money elsewhere.
Trans has never shifted smoother nor been easier to get into neutral since the add of the Lucas.
Any oil can be used in the primary, as its only real function is minor lubrication and cooling. Just make sure there are no friction additives in it.
The bottom half of the circle noted at arrow 4 should be blank if the oil is good to use in the primary. This is the reasoning for the "V-Twin" notation on the Mobil one oils. They do not contain friction modifiers. However standard Mobil one does. Our engines can utilize the advanced friction fighters but the clutch cannot. Hence why I use standard Mobil One in the engine and standard Dino in the primary. You could also use Syn in there but it is such a light duty oil, there is little benefit and I would rather spend my money elsewhere.
Trans has never shifted smoother nor been easier to get into neutral since the add of the Lucas.
Last edited by fcsallan; Apr 24, 2011 at 11:00 AM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 678
Likes: 0
From: MI
Just buy a reputable oil that meets Harley specs and be done with it! My Step-Dad's best friend has a shovelhead with over 75k miles(probably closer to 100k now) when he tore apart the motor everything was still within factory specs. He told me he has only used or will ever use just regular Harley oil. This topic is debated on every auto forum on the net.
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