Logic and Lubrication
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 535
Likes: 2
From: Saint Johns, FL
It amazes me, here in the 21st century, how much old oil technology information is still taken as gospel.
Even with all the separate oil compartments, Harley engines do not last any longer than any other brand of motorcycle with the similar size engine. Goldwings, Ventures, and BMWs regularly go over 100k if they are taken care of. And they all mix engine, clutch and trans oil.
And there was a study back in 95, on the effect of oil additives on the performance of wet friction clutch material. It found that the proper additives increased the wear of wet clutches. It was done at the Queensland University of Technology.
That being said, Sportsters have been around since 1957 but did not have wet clutches until around 1985. On those older bikes the metal the gears were made of were not near as durable as today's alloys, and the oil was much less sophisticated and no where as good as oils are today. Yet those gears worked just fine. Virtually any modern oil will work in the gears, not any oil will work properly in a wet clutch..
The clutch is the weak link in the motor. The engine and the trans with any decent oil will last a long time, probably through several clutches. Depending on what type of oil you use in the clutch and how fast you go through them.
But with the high quality of modern oils, unless you use really crappy "energy conserving" oil in the clutch, it probably won't make much difference.
Even with all the separate oil compartments, Harley engines do not last any longer than any other brand of motorcycle with the similar size engine. Goldwings, Ventures, and BMWs regularly go over 100k if they are taken care of. And they all mix engine, clutch and trans oil.
And there was a study back in 95, on the effect of oil additives on the performance of wet friction clutch material. It found that the proper additives increased the wear of wet clutches. It was done at the Queensland University of Technology.
That being said, Sportsters have been around since 1957 but did not have wet clutches until around 1985. On those older bikes the metal the gears were made of were not near as durable as today's alloys, and the oil was much less sophisticated and no where as good as oils are today. Yet those gears worked just fine. Virtually any modern oil will work in the gears, not any oil will work properly in a wet clutch..
The clutch is the weak link in the motor. The engine and the trans with any decent oil will last a long time, probably through several clutches. Depending on what type of oil you use in the clutch and how fast you go through them.
But with the high quality of modern oils, unless you use really crappy "energy conserving" oil in the clutch, it probably won't make much difference.
Last edited by hig4s; Apr 14, 2011 at 08:56 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 713
Likes: 2
From: Pa.
It amazes me, here in the 21st century, how much old oil technology information is still taken as gospel.
Even with all the separate oil compartments, Harley engines do not last any longer than any other brand of motorcycle with the similar size engine. Goldwings, Ventures, and BMWs regularly go over 100k if they are taken care of. And they all mix engine, clutch and trans oil.
And there was a study back in 95, on the effect of oil additives on the performance of wet friction clutch material. It found that the proper additives increased the wear of wet clutches. It was done at the Queensland University of Technology.
That being said, Sportsters have been around since 1957 but did not have wet clutches until around 1985. On those older bikes the metal the gears were made of were not near as durable as today's alloys, and the oil was much less sophisticated and no where as good as oils are today. Yet those gears worked just fine. Virtually any modern oil will work in the gears, not any oil will work properly in a wet clutch..
The clutch is the weak link in the motor. The engine and the trans with any decent oil will last a long time, probably through several clutches. Depending on what type of oil you use in the clutch and how fast you go through them.
But with the high quality of modern oils, unless you use really crappy "energy conserving" oil in the clutch, it probably won't make much difference.
Even with all the separate oil compartments, Harley engines do not last any longer than any other brand of motorcycle with the similar size engine. Goldwings, Ventures, and BMWs regularly go over 100k if they are taken care of. And they all mix engine, clutch and trans oil.
And there was a study back in 95, on the effect of oil additives on the performance of wet friction clutch material. It found that the proper additives increased the wear of wet clutches. It was done at the Queensland University of Technology.
That being said, Sportsters have been around since 1957 but did not have wet clutches until around 1985. On those older bikes the metal the gears were made of were not near as durable as today's alloys, and the oil was much less sophisticated and no where as good as oils are today. Yet those gears worked just fine. Virtually any modern oil will work in the gears, not any oil will work properly in a wet clutch..
The clutch is the weak link in the motor. The engine and the trans with any decent oil will last a long time, probably through several clutches. Depending on what type of oil you use in the clutch and how fast you go through them.
But with the high quality of modern oils, unless you use really crappy "energy conserving" oil in the clutch, it probably won't make much difference.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 168
From: Potsdam, NY
It amazes me, here in the 21st century, how much old oil technology information is still taken as gospel.
Even with all the separate oil compartments, Harley engines do not last any longer than any other brand of motorcycle with the similar size engine. Goldwings, Ventures, and BMWs regularly go over 100k if they are taken care of. And they all mix engine, clutch and trans oil.
And there was a study back in 95, on the effect of oil additives on the performance of wet friction clutch material. It found that the proper additives increased the wear of wet clutches. It was done at the Queensland University of Technology.
That being said, Sportsters have been around since 1957 but did not have wet clutches until around 1985. On those older bikes the metal the gears were made of were not near as durable as today's alloys, and the oil was much less sophisticated and no where as good as oils are today. Yet those gears worked just fine. Virtually any modern oil will work in the gears, not any oil will work properly in a wet clutch..
The clutch is the weak link in the motor. The engine and the trans with any decent oil will last a long time, probably through several clutches. Depending on what type of oil you use in the clutch and how fast you go through them.
But with the high quality of modern oils, unless you use really crappy "energy conserving" oil in the clutch, it probably won't make much difference.
Even with all the separate oil compartments, Harley engines do not last any longer than any other brand of motorcycle with the similar size engine. Goldwings, Ventures, and BMWs regularly go over 100k if they are taken care of. And they all mix engine, clutch and trans oil.
And there was a study back in 95, on the effect of oil additives on the performance of wet friction clutch material. It found that the proper additives increased the wear of wet clutches. It was done at the Queensland University of Technology.
That being said, Sportsters have been around since 1957 but did not have wet clutches until around 1985. On those older bikes the metal the gears were made of were not near as durable as today's alloys, and the oil was much less sophisticated and no where as good as oils are today. Yet those gears worked just fine. Virtually any modern oil will work in the gears, not any oil will work properly in a wet clutch..
The clutch is the weak link in the motor. The engine and the trans with any decent oil will last a long time, probably through several clutches. Depending on what type of oil you use in the clutch and how fast you go through them.
But with the high quality of modern oils, unless you use really crappy "energy conserving" oil in the clutch, it probably won't make much difference.
Last edited by fat_tony; Apr 15, 2011 at 03:24 AM.
Thread Starter
|
Account Deactivated
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
So,,,Still no input on actual differences
I am assuming that no one so far has tried both kinds as in
One Oil both holes or otherwise,,,,,,
Remember what I was Looking for In this thread.
NOT whats better but what SHIFTS better or the differences
I am looking for a difference In Feel, clutch action, gear shift sounds,
ease of speed shifts,,power matched down shifts.
Engine oil In the tranny versus Tranny fluids,,,
come on guys,,,stay with me here XD
One Oil both holes or otherwise,,,,,,
Remember what I was Looking for In this thread.
NOT whats better but what SHIFTS better or the differences
I am looking for a difference In Feel, clutch action, gear shift sounds,
ease of speed shifts,,power matched down shifts.
Engine oil In the tranny versus Tranny fluids,,,
come on guys,,,stay with me here XD
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 38
From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
Seeing how even with identical bikes the results would be different.... There will be no definitive answers....just assumptions.
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
I am assuming that no one so far has tried both kinds as in
One Oil both holes or otherwise,,,,,,
Remember what I was Looking for In this thread.
NOT whats better but what SHIFTS better or the differences
I am looking for a difference In Feel, clutch action, gear shift sounds,
ease of speed shifts,,power matched down shifts.
Engine oil In the tranny versus Tranny fluids,,,
come on guys,,,stay with me here XD
One Oil both holes or otherwise,,,,,,
Remember what I was Looking for In this thread.
NOT whats better but what SHIFTS better or the differences
I am looking for a difference In Feel, clutch action, gear shift sounds,
ease of speed shifts,,power matched down shifts.
Engine oil In the tranny versus Tranny fluids,,,
come on guys,,,stay with me here XD
The win IMO goes to Gear oil.
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 457
Likes: 0
From: Louisville, Ky.
I put syn3 in after we changed out my shifter shaft. Thats all we had at the time.
Shifted very smooth, I thought maybe it was because of the new shaft. I could find N with no problems, from 1st or 2nd.
Changed over to Mobile1 gear oil. Doesn't shift as smooth. About 60% of the time shifting from 1st to 2nd, I end up in neutral.
I'll try formula1 next.
Shifted very smooth, I thought maybe it was because of the new shaft. I could find N with no problems, from 1st or 2nd.
Changed over to Mobile1 gear oil. Doesn't shift as smooth. About 60% of the time shifting from 1st to 2nd, I end up in neutral.
I'll try formula1 next.