Engine/Primary/Trans OIL Question?

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Sep 3, 2010 | 07:58 PM

#21

Teardrop

Road Warrior

Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 1,290

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From: Salem, Or

I use redline shock proof heavy in the trans and Syn3 in the other 2 holes with no issues..

Sep 3, 2010 | 08:02 PM

#22

Ronp42

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Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 3,245

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From: Here

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom-T-Bone

For RonP42.......just wondering...Are you using the 70/90 weight Gear Oil (Red Line V-Twin with Shockproof) in Your 2010 Road King Tranny Now?....and Have you used it in other Harley's You have owned?.....I'm like vonzoog about this...I've had a dozen people tell me to use Amsoil Synthetic 20/50 in all 3 holes, several swear by Mobile 1, others say stick with Harley Recommendations, but the 70/90 gear oil in the tranny is interesting....

Tom, I did a lot of research when choosing the right oil for my Harley's. I don't think it's a good idea to use 20/50 motor oil in the Transmission. The reason is due to the mesh of the gears. You have to have enough clearance for the gears to expand when heated. You need a good lubricate thats heavy enough to adhere to the gears to prevent wear do to backlash, but still flow like a lighter oil. That's why after reading on this forum from many that uses it. If I'm not mistaken theres a couple of HD wrenches that recommended it also. I've had Independents as well as HD Techs recommend it. I was using Mobil1 75w90 before switching to redline. It's good oil, but I think you need a oil that offers more support for the gears than 75/90 That's where redline V-twin Tranny oil works so well, it has the weight of a 75/250 but flows like 75/90 oil. It made a believer out of me when I started using it. This is the second bike I've used it in. I also have it in my wifes 2010 SG Trike. Here's the oil I use in my Tranny and Primary. I buy it from racerpartswholesale.com Great people to do business with. Good prices and fast shipping. Hope this helps!

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Sep 4, 2010 | 07:35 AM

#23

vonzoog

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 315

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From: Delaware

Thanks guys!!!

This is what I was hoping for. Straight answers/opinions without everyone bashing this brand or that brand.. Plus everyone has been nice. Who would have thought that could happen in a thread about oil.

This is really helping me and would like to hear more.

......vonzoog......

Sep 4, 2010 | 08:03 AM

#24

HDV-GLIDE

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 4,741

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From: Indian Land, SC

I was reading some posts on V-Twin.....and several people mentioned that they were developing galling and rust in the primary (no mention on what parts) due to using ATF.

I can say that when I removed the stock rotor cover during the SE Comp install, they was some surface rust present on the solid front section. No rust or abnormal wear on the comp parts or the clutch basket. Yes, I'm running Dextron III ATF in my primary.

Anybody have any experience with rust & galling due to using ATF in the primary??

Sep 4, 2010 | 08:45 AM

#25

Scarz

Road Master

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 764

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From: Pensacola, FL

I used Syn3 (20-50) in all 3 holes for the first 6 & half years. This summer before taking a ride to NC, in very hot weather, I put Mobile 1 V-Twin 20-50 in the engine and primary and used Mobile 1 75-90 in the tranny. Can't say I noticed any difference in the tranny, that I expected, so I'm thinking of using 75-140 in the tranny at the next scheduled change.

Sep 4, 2010 | 09:18 AM

#26

nemick

Road Warrior

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 1,266

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From: Indianapolis

Quote:

Originally Posted by vonzoog

Ok, before you get ready to flame me or run for the popcorn, I am asking these questions after I have spent way too much time reading all of the searches that I have done here on this forum. Most searches run back 5 years and more.

My concern is that I have a 2010 Street Glide and more I ask the more I am confused. Either everyone here is a genius or we all are idiots. The service manual says to use 20w50 in all three holes. My local HD service manage says the same thing. Here is what I have found and learn (or should I say, not learned)

Engine:

Pretty much everyone agrees on 20w50 with a few suggesting 10w50 Mobile to save on the cost.

Primary:

Many suggest 10w40. Oils without friction modifiers. ATF.

Transmission:

Most say 75/90 Gear Oil and a couple said 75/140.

None of this agrees with my service manager or my service manual. I'm posting here in the Touring Section (instead of General Chat) to eliminate the shear number of "expert" opinions this could generate. Is this because the newer bikes are different from the older ones? Doesn't seem to be much logic to that assumption.

I would like some real/factual answers as to why you use something other than what is recommended in the service manual. I'm not looking for the all too common "Because I Like It" answers. We don't need to get into which brand is better than another unless a particular brand is the only manufacture of that particular oil.

I really would like to learn what works and why. Please just don't say what you use only, but WHY you use it. Give me a logical reason.

Thanks in advance,

Interesting question and as stated previously, you'll get many differing opinions. Here are my reasons for not using the same 20/50 Harley oil.
Any oils, as long as they meet the required spec, will lubricate you engine, primary and transmission effectively. The thing is, that many of us want the oil to do more than just lubricate parts. Take the transmission for example. Syn 3 works fine in there, but does nothing to ameliorate the noise made by the poor quality of the transmission. I use Redline Shockproof Heavy in my tranny because it lubricates very well, helps with smoother shifting and eliminates a whole lot of nasty noises.
I use Mobil 1 V Twin in my engine and primary and do so because I have more faith in the engineers at an oil company like Mobil than I do at some no name outfit that was able to bid at a lower cost than anyone else for the packaging deal to produce Syn 3.
Also I'll be damned if I'll pay through the nose for Syn 3 just because it says Harley Davidson on it. Harley builds bikes, but doesn't refine oil.
Last, but not least for me, I refuse to buy a product (Citgo) that I know is owned by Venezuela where the leader of that country does nothing but rubbish America every chance he gets.
These reasons may not make any difference to anyone else, but that just the way I see things.