Trans. fluid

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Jan 29, 2012 | 07:04 AM

#11

tbonetony06

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 3,492

Likes: 19

From: Illinois

I will soon be doing my 1st tranny fluid change out as well. I have been reading posts on this for a while now and I am still a little confused. The manual only says or gives you a part number, what is the actual wieght of the tranny fluid that Harley uses or recomends? I have been paying attention here and willing to try something new too but I can not find the Redline shockproof oil/tranny fluid anywhere near me and I am just south of Chicago. I also wonder out loud why engine oil is used in tranny's when there is tranny oil made just for that paticular use! I am not saying it is wrong, I'm just sayin! In years gone by I ran the Full Syn Mobil 20/50 but I am looking to start useing what the book calls for, just that I don't know what that is! I see so may differant oils and wieghts of oils used that to be honest, it all has me lost!! I just want to use the correct wieght of tranny fluid. I just don't know what that is!!!

Jan 29, 2012 | 07:43 AM

#12

wiktor

Tourer

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 266

Likes: 1

Just curious. I switched to Shockproof in my 2011 Fatboy. I've found it definately upshifts better and nuetral is easy to find but, I swear sometimes it bangs downshifts hard,especially from 3 down. Make any sense??

Jan 29, 2012 | 08:00 AM

#13

Doug S

Road Master

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 1,123

Likes: 43

From: NJ

I'm not mormally a fan of designer oils/lubricants but I ordered a qrt of shockproof based on what I have read here when I searched around.

It is everything they say it is, it quieted down the running noise-(4th gear whine on a 5spd)-and no more clunking. I ride when it's cold outside and thought it would give trouble since it's so thick but I'm surprised that it still works well. It did not help finding neutral but I didn't expect that, clutch drag is the major issue for that and the primary oil type can help.

Worth a try for 15 bucks.

D

Jan 29, 2012 | 08:12 AM

#14

tbonetony06

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 3,492

Likes: 19

From: Illinois

Yea, OK, but what weight Redline shockproof??? I keep hearing and seeing what people are useing, the brand but almost never is the weight of the oil described!! I have no clue about Redline, never used it and never talked to anyone who ever used it until I joined this site and had questions asked through various oil related threads. I just want to know, what weight tranny oil does Harley call for to use and what is acceptable to use based on Harleys recomendations and or suggestions. For those who use something outside of what the book calls for can you explain what it is you use and why, how it act's, what it has or has not done for you???

Jan 29, 2012 | 08:16 AM

#15

NC D'LUXE

Road Warrior

Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 1,855

Likes: 3

From: North Carolina

This seems to be a contentious issue across the land and probably around the globe. Kind of like is the red better than the blue one. lol I'll be trying Redline for the tranny.

Here is what I think a pretty good article that post the data from the Material Safety Data Sheet on file for HD Syn 3, which states it is chemically a blend of 60% synthetic and 40% petroleum oils.

Jan 29, 2012 | 08:37 AM

#16

tbonetony06

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2011

Posts: 3,492

Likes: 19

From: Illinois

Ummm, OK but again, what "weight" Redline oil are you going to be useing? Redline shockproof what?? What "weight" does Harley say to use? I would not mind trying a Redline 1 time for my own persoanl knowledge and to be able to form my own opinion but what "weight" Redline? I have never used it, don't know a thing about it. I do not know what "weight" it comes in, shoot, I can't even find it unless I order it online but then again I am back to square one, what "weight"???? what is the numbers, the "weight" oil that Harley uses and recomends in the transmission? I ask people over and over, what kind of tranny oil do you use and I get Um, Redline, Mobile 1, Lucas, Amsoil and so on. They never explain what "weight" or they say I use 20/50 in all 3 holes!! That does not explain what "weight" oil Harley recommends!!! I have always used Mobil one in bikes past 20/50. I now have 20/50 Amsoil in it but what are the actual numbers of describing the "weight" of the oil to be used by Harley is???

Jan 29, 2012 | 08:42 AM

#17

S.D.M.F

Road Warrior

Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 1,396

Likes: 399

From: Australia

Ring Harley direct or ask on their website, maybe visit your local dealer and ask them what they recommend.
Redline Shockproof Heavy is: 75W-140

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-1023-red...l-75w-140.aspx

google is your friend.

Here is a link to Oil weights explained in laymans terms:

http://www.upmpg.com/tech_articles/motoroil_viscosity/

hope it helps.

Last edited by S.D.M.F; Jan 29, 2012 at 09:01 AM.

Jan 29, 2012 | 09:58 AM

#18

Jim Kraft

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 2,856

Likes: 127

From: Middle of Kansas

I was using Mobil 1 75-90 synthetic trans oil. I changed to Harley Formula+, and it seems to be just a little better as far as shifting and finding neutral. I use it in the chain case also. Harley says its good for both and I pick it up when I get my filter for the engine.