Here is my UOA with Redline 20w50 MC oil expected a little better report but this seem to score ok. Needless to say I just switched over to Valvoline Synthetic 20w-50 MC oil. Looking at the price, availability, and performance of the Redline vs Valvoline, according to this UOA, its a wash. I have also seen many other UAO's using Valvoline averaging better numbers. I must mention that when doing this type of research you should take into consideration the setup, use, and other specifics of your unit. I plan to try this oil out for awhile and check back. My main concern with the Redline was the high Cu and Fe numbers that kept showing up during my reasearch. My Cu and Fe numbers were average but Al number were low. The Redline did hold viscosity and the TBN was good but I was expecting this superior product to produce better than average wear numbers. I am also looking for a remedy for the sloppy sounding top end. So far the Valvoline provides a quieter valvetrain once its warm, but a cold engine sounds the same as it did with Redline. I plan to re-shim the rocker boxes then do another UOA.

I know there are a lot of us that want the best for our bikes. We think that we are gettine the best oil, fuel, parts and add-on's when we make these high dollar purchases. Until these things are tested and proven to be the best IMO, they are not. This UOA has given me the perspective of skepticism when dealing with MC marketing. This high dollar Redline oil has provided average performance according to this UOA. However before I continue to blame the oil I want to get the Valvoline tested also, then I'll have more to say. This is just food for thought, feel free to chime in.



MI/HR on Oil


3,949








UNIVERSAL AVERAGES


MI/HR on Unit


28,349


UNIT / LOCATION AVERAGES







Sample Date


11/20/14







Make Up Oil Added


0 qts
















ALUMINUM


3


3







5


CHROMIUM


1


1







0


IRON


16


16







12


COPPER


17


17







19


LEAD


1


1







1


TIN


0


0







2


MOLYBDENUM


352


352







87


NICKEL


0


0







0


MANGANESE


0


0







1


SILVER


0


0







0


TITANIUM


0


0







1


POTASSIUM


4


4







4


BORON


55


55







136


SILICON


15


15







13


SODIUM


93


93







26


CALCIUM


2646


2646







2531


MAGNESIUM


11


11







288


PHOSPHORUS


1685


1685







1132


ZINC


1941


1941







1431


BARIUM


1


1







1


Values Should Be*



SUS Viscosity @ 210°F


94.1


86-102







cSt Viscosity @ 100°C


18.97


17.0-21.1







Flashpoint in °F


430


>385







Fuel %


<0.5


<2.0







Antifreeze %


-


0.0







Water %


0.0


<0.1







Insolubles %


0.1


<0.6







TBN


5.5


>1.0







TAN









ISO Code

 

I am also learning UOA never post correctly. The first number is this sample. Second number is the average for my bike. Third number is the averages that Blackstone Labs have seen for this particular HD 96 cu. in. motor.

 

You would think there is a list of oils tested already, to choose from, Might be a better plan, then changing oils, then getting them tested. If ya find it, post it

 

What comments did Blackstone give?

This is what oil threads should be, facts.

 

Not to go down the oil thread road but have any of you guys tried the new QuickSilver 20w50 oil? Quick Silver has made Marine Lubricants for years. Walmart sells it, it's a full syn 20w50. I put it in my bike, was a little cheaper than M1. So far it makes my motor go round and round, so I guess it's working.

 

Blackstone said

"You said you've seen good and bad UOA's from this type of oil, some with high copper and iron, but the thing with used oil analysis is, it's just as much about the engine as it is about the oil. Maybe those engines were still going through wear-in or had other mechanical issues, and it had nothing to do with the oil. Regardless, your engine looks good. Averages show typical wear after 4,200 miles of oil use, and your metals are right in line. No dirt or other contaminants were found, and the TBN is strong at 5.5. Leave this oil in use 2,000 more miles and check back. Nice!"

 

It also has a lot to do with riding conditions

 

There is not necessarily a list, but if you look around you'll find a few UOA with different results using different oils. What we need is more participation with testing oils. It is imperative that you do your own research by switching and testing oils. It is true that some oils are not compatible but from what I've learned this is rarely a problem as most oil companies use similar additives. And this is not important to some, but for me its interesting and often talked about. I just like facts.

 

I sent my redline 20/60 out to black stone labs and can post the report if you guys want. It was after I returned from Sturgis and I had used 2 quarts of oil so I was concerned. I was also concerned that I could not find any redline anyplace in the 3 surrounding states.

I ended up having my son overnight 3 quarts so I had them for the return ride home. Funny thing is I never added any more after the first 2 quarts. We were running at 80+ blasting across Nevada Utah and Wyoming in pretty hot temps. My bike is being powered by a 124 motor with 640 cam and 10-8 compression. My dad also has the same motor and uses redline 20/50 and didn't use any oil. My motor had approximately 15k miles at the time we left and he had about 1k. My report came back good and was told to try running longer before changing it.

 

I'm not sure of this but since Quicksilver is made by Citco and Syn 3 is made by Citco, I believe that they are one in the same.