Rotella T ????
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 140
From: NY
ROTELLA T COMES IN MULT GRADES INC 15W-40 ROTELLA T IN STD DINO & SYN , 5W-40 SYN ALSO CALLED ROTELLA T ,ETC.
So which grade & type oil are you reffering to?
Bottom line is will the primary self destruct using improper oil thats not properly designed and or formulated to be used in an HD primary,no it wont,well not anytime soon.
But would using an oil specifically mfg'd and formulated for use in HD primary be a much better choice that could extend the srv'c life of everything in the primary thats lubed by prim oil,YES!.
See below for a hi quality oil specifically mfg'd & formulated for an HD primary case.
Scott
http://performanceoilstore.com/products.asp?cat=65&pg=4
Spectro Heavy Duty Primary Chaincase Oil 1-qtSpectro Heavy Duty Primary Chaincase Oil 1-qt. This sheer stable petroleum is designed to withstand the punishment of high loads, and contains special polymers to provide exceptional clutch engagement and temperature stability. Meets full OEM requirements, and should be used according to manufacturers’ instructions. Formulated specifically for HarleyŽ Sportster and Big Twin applications. Low drag, low friction loss SAE 85w viscosity helps eliminate clutch “drag” and slipping.
List Price: $12.04
Price: $7.95
Last edited by wscott; Sep 5, 2015 at 03:21 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 140
From: NY
When i questioned shell oils engineering staff with respect to rotella t 15w-40 in std dino and syn along with the 5-40 syn rotella t on another oil related topic i was researching at the time the shell oil engineer told me those oils had a small amount of friction modifiers in their additive pkg's.
So with that said i'd not rec them for use in a HD prim case especially with a wet clutch because over time in some cases/not all it could lead to clutch slippage.
If your a conservative rider that always ride 1 up with no bag loaded in flat areas not loadeing the clutch as much your likely ok.
But if the bike is modded for a little/or a lot more power ,gets ridden 2up often more aggressively too in mountains loading the clutch a lot more thats where you could over time/miles eventually run into a clutch slip issue especially if your still running stock clutch spring.
Scott
Last edited by wscott; Sep 5, 2015 at 03:22 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 11,630
Likes: 990
From: NC
=========
When i questioned shell oils engineering staff with respect to rotella t 15w-40 in std dino and syn along with the 5-40 syn rotella t on another oil related topic i was researching at the time the shell oil engineer told me those oils had a small amount of friction modifiers in their additive pkg's.
So with that said i'd not rec them for use in a HD prim case especially with a wet clutch because over time in some cases/not all it could lead to clutch slippage.
If your a conservative rider that always ride 1 up with no bag loaded in flat areas not loadeing the clutch as much your likely ok.
But if the bike is modded for a little/or a lot more power ,gets ridden 2up often more aggressively too in mountains loading the clutch a lot more thats where you could over time/miles eventually run into a clutch slip issue especially if your still running stock clutch spring.
Scott
When i questioned shell oils engineering staff with respect to rotella t 15w-40 in std dino and syn along with the 5-40 syn rotella t on another oil related topic i was researching at the time the shell oil engineer told me those oils had a small amount of friction modifiers in their additive pkg's.
So with that said i'd not rec them for use in a HD prim case especially with a wet clutch because over time in some cases/not all it could lead to clutch slippage.
If your a conservative rider that always ride 1 up with no bag loaded in flat areas not loadeing the clutch as much your likely ok.
But if the bike is modded for a little/or a lot more power ,gets ridden 2up often more aggressively too in mountains loading the clutch a lot more thats where you could over time/miles eventually run into a clutch slip issue especially if your still running stock clutch spring.
Scott
matter what anyone else said................
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
The Shell Rotella T6 not T5 or just Rotella is a syn oil spec'd for wet clutches. When you talk about Rotella you must identify the specific version. All squares are rectangles not all rectangles are squares.
I use it in all my bikes now from a Street 750 to a 120R. Walmart has it in 4 qt. containers for under $20. If it did not work with a HD wet clutch it would show up in a clutch being challenged with a 120R. All Shell employees that have HD's use T6. I have talked to many at various semi truck shows over the years where Shell brings in a display and reps. Of course they get it cheap.
Good enough for 600HP diesel engines good enough for a Briggs and Stratton Harley Davidson.
I use it in all my bikes now from a Street 750 to a 120R. Walmart has it in 4 qt. containers for under $20. If it did not work with a HD wet clutch it would show up in a clutch being challenged with a 120R. All Shell employees that have HD's use T6. I have talked to many at various semi truck shows over the years where Shell brings in a display and reps. Of course they get it cheap.
Good enough for 600HP diesel engines good enough for a Briggs and Stratton Harley Davidson.
Last edited by lh4x4; Sep 5, 2015 at 08:30 PM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 153
Likes: 1
From: central Fl.
the shell rotella t6 not t5 or just rotella is a syn oil spec'd for wet clutches. When you talk about rotella you must identify the specific version. All squares are rectangles not all rectangles are squares.
I use it in all my bikes now from a street 750 to a 120r. Walmart has it in 4 qt. Containers for under $20. If it did not work with a hd wet clutch it would show up in a clutch being challenged with a 120r. All shell employees that have hd's use t6. I have talked to many at various semi truck shows over the years where shell brings in a display and reps. Of course they get it cheap.
Good enough for 600hp diesel engines good enough for a briggs and stratton harley davidson.
I use it in all my bikes now from a street 750 to a 120r. Walmart has it in 4 qt. Containers for under $20. If it did not work with a hd wet clutch it would show up in a clutch being challenged with a 120r. All shell employees that have hd's use t6. I have talked to many at various semi truck shows over the years where shell brings in a display and reps. Of course they get it cheap.
Good enough for 600hp diesel engines good enough for a briggs and stratton harley davidson.
jj
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 128
Rotella T 15w40 conventional diesel oil is fine for Harley wet clutches as it does not have friction modifiers in it which would harm clutch plates. I also use it in my crankcase, but not in the gear box.