Oil Choice - Amsoil vs SE
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
In the case of filter media used in a lab, the filters used are rated at different pore sizes. If you buy a filter that is rated at 5 micron, it is able to filter out 5 micron and larger particles. If the filter is rated at 15 microns, it is able to filter out 15 micron and larger particles. I assume the oil filters are being rated the same way.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: MCGAHEYSVILLE VA.
If you go to calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/filters they cut open amsoil (thin filter material) and a bunch of others check it out . I was in filtration for years and filters were rated by the smallest size they would filter , so when we had problems we would go down numerically in our filters to catch the trash such as started at 25 problems 10 still problems 5 but the flows was cut back accordingly!
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 643
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver
Compared to the price of a motor overhaul any good oil and filter is cheap insurance, The more you change it the longer the engine, primarey and transmission will last.I have been in the business for 27 years now, I change my primary every 2500 miles and the engine every 3000 miles. Like I said oil is cheap compared to a motor.The tranny will easly go the 5000 that harley recomends, just check it for signs of metal shavings when you change the other oils.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 1
From: Sunland, CA
amsoil in all three holes se syn is a blend not full synthetic se syn is made by citgo
the cheapest crap you can buy thats why harley buys it , i started out useing syn 3
until i started changing my own oil there where metal shavings on the magnetic plug
so i did my homework and found out about harley se syn switched to amsoil a few
oil changes ago and no more metal shavings the motor runs cooler the tranny
shifts smoother with the sevear gear - ride safe
the
the cheapest crap you can buy thats why harley buys it , i started out useing syn 3
until i started changing my own oil there where metal shavings on the magnetic plug
so i did my homework and found out about harley se syn switched to amsoil a few
oil changes ago and no more metal shavings the motor runs cooler the tranny
shifts smoother with the sevear gear - ride safe
the
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 367
Likes: 5
From: Draper, Utah
It's the other way around. A 15-micron particle is larger than a 5-micron particle, so at face value the HD filter is capable of filtering smaller particles. The problem lies with the efficiency spec. Amsoil says it removes 98% at 15 microns, and HD specs their filter at 5 microns with no spec. For example the HD filter (made by Purolator) might filter 10% at 5 microns and 75% at 15 microns. Without a spec who knows for sure? That said, I don't know of any filter manufacturer claiming that their oil filter will filter 5 microns at any efficiency level.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
I have been in the business for 27 years now, I change my primary every 2500 miles and the engine every 3000 miles. Like I said oil is cheap compared to a motor.The tranny will easly go the 5000 that harley recomends, just check it for signs of metal shavings when you change the other oils.
just for my convenience, i change the engine at 5k, then the primary and transmission at 10k, (every other engine oil change)
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 3
From: Slidell, Louisiana
I have been a cultured pearl diver for 35 years and no one knows better than me what oil and filter is best to use. Just wish i could let you know. It's classified. Sorry.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
My indy is suggesting switching from H-D Syn to Bardahl American Classic 100% synthetic 20W50 motor oil. I didn't see it mentioned in the posts, anybody have a recommendation for or against this oil? Tks.
