Driving myself nuts about oil....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 185
From: Mountain West, Big Sky Country
My old bike, runs what ever, sometimes syn, sometimes amsoil, currently has m1 in it. Does not change noise level or performance. IT just keeps on running.
Tourer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 297
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles County
Man, we all love oil threads.
My best to date ... Formula+ in primary (best clutch action), Amsoil or Mobil 1 in trans (shifts all light and fluffy), Mobil 1 in the engine (just runs smooth).
Thanks for asking.
My best to date ... Formula+ in primary (best clutch action), Amsoil or Mobil 1 in trans (shifts all light and fluffy), Mobil 1 in the engine (just runs smooth).
Thanks for asking.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,157
Likes: 740
From: new caney, tx
Whenever I buy a diff bike I end up with free services so I get what Harley puts in there.. When I do my own oil changes I use a quality name for oil and primary, gear oil for the trans.. I just so happen to live maybe 4 miles from royal purple but it's not any cheaper haha
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 804
Likes: 237
From: TN
I'll throw a suggestion out there. I've had Liquid-Moly 10w-60 in the bike now for 2k+ miles. I started reading about this oil over on Harley Tech Talk, where they have done some real world testing. It seems to work for me. No problem starting when it was in the 40's and the motor is quiet when it gets hot. I had this oil in while tuning and pounding the high rpms in 90 deg heat with no loss of oil pressure or heat issues. Maybe not for this oil change, but for the future. For the trans almost any good 75-80/140 gear lube will work.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
Your first choice OP is as good as you can get. If you start reading too much into this you will start a war here AGAIN on this forum. Dawgs on it, just use that and go out and ride.
As long as you put "it" in the right hole you will be fine.
As long as you put "it" in the right hole you will be fine.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 276
Likes: 43
From: Spokane, WA
Here's a good resource for the many different Mobil 1 products. I'm using the M1 15W-50 which has pretty good phosphorus and zinc levels. Wally World sells it cheap.
https://mobiloil.com/~/media/amer/.....ecs-guide.ashx
This is a bad link, sorry. But just google "Mobil 1 Product Guide" and you'll see a FDF that is very informative.
https://mobiloil.com/~/media/amer/.....ecs-guide.ashx
This is a bad link, sorry. But just google "Mobil 1 Product Guide" and you'll see a FDF that is very informative.
Last edited by Norms 427; May 5, 2015 at 08:38 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
Here's a good resource for the many different Mobil 1 products. I'm using the M1 15W-50 which has pretty good phosphorus and zinc levels. Wally World sells it cheap.
https://mobiloil.com/~/media/amer/.....ecs-guide.ashx
https://mobiloil.com/~/media/amer/.....ecs-guide.ashx
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 800
Likes: 408
From: Middle Tennessee
OP, you are right on track.
For me, I use Syn3 in the engine. If ever a mechanical failure with the engine, HD cannot say it was oil related.
Formula + in the primary because it just works well for me.
Bel Ray Gear Saver in the transmission, mainly because my dealer recommends it.
I change all three between 3k and 4k miles.
I changed all three fluids this past weekend, nothing at all collected on the engine magnet or on the transmission magnet. Some shavings on the primary magnet, I assume from normal clutch wear.
The transmission fluid was so clean that I may start changing that every other change.
Be sure to measure and pour in the correct amounts.
All modern lubricants are amazing pieces of engineering in my opinion. But pick one you like, and can easily purchase, and stick with it.
Synthetics will make the engine a little noisier.
For me, I use Syn3 in the engine. If ever a mechanical failure with the engine, HD cannot say it was oil related.
Formula + in the primary because it just works well for me.
Bel Ray Gear Saver in the transmission, mainly because my dealer recommends it.
I change all three between 3k and 4k miles.
I changed all three fluids this past weekend, nothing at all collected on the engine magnet or on the transmission magnet. Some shavings on the primary magnet, I assume from normal clutch wear.
The transmission fluid was so clean that I may start changing that every other change.
Be sure to measure and pour in the correct amounts.
All modern lubricants are amazing pieces of engineering in my opinion. But pick one you like, and can easily purchase, and stick with it.
Synthetics will make the engine a little noisier.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,878
Likes: 164
From: Northern California
My dealer once told me that they have never seen a engine part failure related to a specific oil brand. Select oil enginered for air cooled V-twins, transmission oil enginered for your tranny and of course primary oil for your primary. All three holes have different jobs, it just makes sense to use different fluids.
For me; I looked to Baker for advise. They know mechanical engineering. I took there advice and went with Spectro heavy duty 6 speed full syn trans fluid, 75w140. Spectro heavy duty primary chaincase oil and Mobil One V-Twin 20-50 for my motor. Is this the best? Who knows, I am simply comfortable with the choice. All purchased through Amazon for convenience.
For me; I looked to Baker for advise. They know mechanical engineering. I took there advice and went with Spectro heavy duty 6 speed full syn trans fluid, 75w140. Spectro heavy duty primary chaincase oil and Mobil One V-Twin 20-50 for my motor. Is this the best? Who knows, I am simply comfortable with the choice. All purchased through Amazon for convenience.