oil preference

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Aug 2, 2009 | 10:50 AM

#11

iclick

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 11,615

Likes: 50

From: Baton Rouge, LA

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrHog

Amsoil syn 20w50 in the crank and primary and 75w140 syn in the tranny. Keeps everything running cooler, longer.

Cooler and longer than what? Do you have evidence that Amsoil makes an engine run cooler and/or longer than anything else?

Aug 2, 2009 | 10:54 AM

#12

jeepskeet

6th Gear

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 14

Likes: 0

From: Chapin, South Carolina

Mobile 20/50 and Redline in the tranny. would have used Amsoil in the crank, but its
to hard to find around the backwoods SC town I'm in...LOL

Aug 2, 2009 | 10:58 AM

#13

iclick

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 11,615

Likes: 50

From: Baton Rouge, LA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pa-FLHT

I just changed all the fluids in my 97 FLHT (SE heads,ignition,Comp cam 3020,Ness big sucker,Samaon slip-ons).In the crankcase I used Castrol Syntek 20W50,Trans- Royal Purple Severe Gear 75W140, primary side Valvoline 20W50 Dino motorcycle oil. Anyone have any thoughts on this combination?

Amsoil makes Severe Gear, and you're probably running RP MaxGear. Any of the top names in synthetic oil manufacturing will work fine in your HD as long as you keep close to the viscosity spec--i.e., a 15w50 or 20w60 are fine. I would, however, stick to a lower-quality fossil oil for the primary as you are doing, as a high-tech synthetic in that location may not be suitable for the wet clutch and is at minimum gross overkill. You really don't need a motorcycle-specific oil in either the engine or primary, however, and using it in either hole is a waste of money, IMO.

What you're running is fine, and don't get caught up in brand-specific hype that offers extravagant claims.

Last edited by iclick; Aug 2, 2009 at 11:00 AM.

Aug 2, 2009 | 11:45 AM

#14

Streetrunner

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 2,598

Likes: 52

From: South Jersey

I was using Mobil 1 but the top end noise was driving me crazy so I switched back to Harley dino and added a pint of Lucas oil additive, the top end is much quieter.
Red Line in the trans.

Aug 2, 2009 | 11:57 AM

#15

MrHog

Road Captain

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 659

Likes: 2

From: Central Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by iclick

Cooler and longer than what? Do you have evidence that Amsoil makes an engine run cooler and/or longer than anything else?

I haven't been riding for 50 years, yet. Hopefully one day that will come. So I have not tested Amsoil in my bikes for a long period of time. However, since I switched over to Amsoil from HD Syn3 years ago, the results have been positive. The first Harley I bought was used. One owner, dealership serviced by the book, copies of the invoices in hand. Always Syn3 in all holes. After I bought the bike, and 5K-6K miles since he had the oil changed, I changed the fluids. The Syn3 drained out very thin, broken down and almost watery. I replaced the fluids with the Amsoil, and used it since. Every time I changed the fluids after that, the used Amsoil drained out much heavier and cleaner looking. Plus, after that first change I did myself, I did notice a cooler motor when riding and sitting at intersections. Maybe it's in my head. Also, I get a gallon (5quarts) of 25w50 Synthetic for $45 here in town. Less than $10 a quart, when the local "stealer" wants $13 quart for Syn3 that does the same job as the Amsoil.

The only evidence I have is from research online, listening to other riders, and talking to motorcycle mechanics at both HD dealers and non dealer locations.