Slow start
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,923
Likes: 266
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
I like a good oil discussion as much as the next guy, but I will put my faith in the WEIGHT of oil recommended buy the manufacturer. In my '06 Road King, they say to use 10w40 wt when the temp is 40 degrees F. That's the lightest weight oil Harley recommends or sells. That or 20w50, straight 50 or 60 wt, depending on the temp the bike will be operated in. I've used 15w40 wt Diesel oil in my primary before year round. I've found it works good for eliminating the neutral to first gear bang, you get with 20w50 wt. Providing your clutch is adjusted right. I've never used straight 50 or 60 weight oil in the engine. Never felt the need for it. I always use 80-90 wt gear oil in the trans which equates to approx what 50 wt engine oil works out to be. It's quite, and shifts well. I ride year round and do Polar Bear rides. And when it's in the low 30's, I have noticed my bike even when plugged in to my battery tender, will crank over a bit slower than in the summer. But thats just for the first start of the day using 20w50 wt engine oil. My bike is keep in a unheated garage all winter. If it were to not crank over at all, even with a tender hooked to it, That tells me the battery has nothing left to give, and should be replaced. There's my devalued 2 cents.,,
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 145
Likes: 32
From: Tucson
Slow start solved!
well that was entertaining since my last post!!Same temp this morning as the barely able to start temp not long ago, low 50's. Ignition on showed just over 12 volts. Hit starter, cranked just under 12 volts! Real fast. On the slow start dropped below 10v.
Road Honda VTX's for years, had 3, rotella 5w/40 as most on the forum with nothing but great results. Already have done the research on that oil for motorcycles and am done.
Although I live in AZ i never ride in really hot weather. Like to not go above the 80's.
. For those that in chilly weather have no problem starting bike with 20/50, possibly you use synthetic, use a tender, or keep bike in garage.
. I've been wrongly chasing batteries.
I may or may not switch to 20/50 when it warms up.
Last edited by Maurice1; Dec 7, 2024 at 02:46 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,731
Likes: 3,801
From: backwoods
How do you explain all of us up north running what the manufacturer suggests? I do not tender.
Just because you rode one bike with one oil, does not mean that weight is good for another
But reality I doubt you will know one way or other.
Just because you rode one bike with one oil, does not mean that weight is good for another
But reality I doubt you will know one way or other.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 145
Likes: 32
From: Tucson
is your bike not in a garage? If not I don't get it either. Had the same problem for 2 years with a new Triumph rocket gt 2020. Same weight oil. No garage.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2024
Posts: 63
Likes: 15
.............. the starter is not fused - direct connect.
A lagging starter will draw excess current - likely the dealer will measure the draw from the batery to the starter ..........or going 'inline' u could do it.
Any electric motor draws excess 'starting current' ............ but a EM that doesn't spin freely will be very hard on the battery.
A lagging starter will draw excess current - likely the dealer will measure the draw from the batery to the starter ..........or going 'inline' u could do it.
Any electric motor draws excess 'starting current' ............ but a EM that doesn't spin freely will be very hard on the battery.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,731
Likes: 3,801
From: backwoods
I have not looked lately, but my TC88 says to use diesel if you can't get harley oil, and then change. Is it because the diesel is not as good, or because they want you to think you need theirs. Dunno.
You google this you will find some debated threads, like every other oil topic.
You google this you will find some debated threads, like every other oil topic.
