primary oil question
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: york Pa
primary oil question
hey guys, I wanna change my oil and use 20/50 syn, but in the service manual for my 07 sporty it calls for a different oil in the primary. can I still use 20/50 in the primary? thank you for any help
Intermediate
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Broken Arrow, OK
I'm sure a lot of people will fill this thread with look at the oil section, or "do a search", or this has been hashed over millions of times. The question does get asked a lot but that's the whole point of forums to ask questions and become more knowledgeable about your bike. I am a semi newbie as well and have asked this same question before. What I found out is you can use 20/50 in the primary but a lot of riders don't. I use the HD formula +, it works fine for me. You can use Dino oil, you can get Spectro or Amsoil, there are several brands that make a "primary" oil and it all seems to amount to about the same kinda discussion as Ford VS Chevy. So anyways there's my input take it for what you will.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,586
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
Just use Harley's stuff. Safer that way. Probably cost twice what the Walmart stuff cost and 2/3 of what the fancy stuff that the people who get the Walmart stuff and add food coloring and pour it in their fancy bottles does but no more often then you need to change it. Its not that expensive. Do not change it any more often then manual says. Actually that is probably 3 times too good. Mine has 40K. Runs like new and I seldom change it but once ever year or so and the oil filter ever two years. It will break long before wears out and not due to oil. 48 years of experience talking here and have done all my own work since 1964.
It's probably OK to use Moble syn 15-50 oil but use Harley's transmission and primary fluids and Harley's oil filter and air filter. There is all kinds of stuff close but overall your are better off with Harley's primary and transmission fluids. They will probably work best and I have used and tried everything including all these recommended by the people on here. Do I look like the person who would steer you wrong???
It's probably OK to use Moble syn 15-50 oil but use Harley's transmission and primary fluids and Harley's oil filter and air filter. There is all kinds of stuff close but overall your are better off with Harley's primary and transmission fluids. They will probably work best and I have used and tried everything including all these recommended by the people on here. Do I look like the person who would steer you wrong???
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Sep 14, 2018 at 11:24 AM.
Trending Topics
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 126
From: Manassas, VA
I've tried others.
I've stopped trying and use Formula +.
The Syn 3 was amoung the worst in a tranny.
I've stopped trying and use Formula +.
The Syn 3 was amoung the worst in a tranny.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Any JASO stamped oil will work. I use rotella 15w-40 conventional in my primary and in both my jap bikes. It resists shear very well,which is important because in jap bikes and sporsters the oil also lubricates the tranny. The gears meshing beats the crap out of the oil,turning it into water fairly quickly.
I change the oil in the honda's every 3000kms simply because the gears meshing kills the oil.
Now I'm sure the formula+ will work great however so does rotella at less than half the cost.
Whichever you decide to use just change it at regular intervals and you will get a long service life out of the clutch and tranny. Jmo
I change the oil in the honda's every 3000kms simply because the gears meshing kills the oil.
Now I'm sure the formula+ will work great however so does rotella at less than half the cost.
Whichever you decide to use just change it at regular intervals and you will get a long service life out of the clutch and tranny. Jmo
