Extended intervals? I always understood them to be twice the normal interval. (6000 miles) I do 5 thou just to error on the safe side.

You said no one recommends extended intervals for modified motors?
Amsoil is the only one that I had actually seen state a "warning" that they do not recommend extended intervals on modded motors. It's on their website.

If you know of any others that warn against it, please show me a link or tell me which brand so's I can look for it (and avoid their oil).
I'm always wanting to learn.

 

I have yet seen anybody mention that they run extended periods of time or mileage on their oil...As long as we don't exceed 5000 miles on engine, 10000 on primary and 20000 on tranny we don't really have any problems. From what i see most folks change their oil earlier than this which would go to say that that isn't extended intervals...To each their own but unless you are racing or towing a normal schedule would not be too grueling on oil correct? So with that said 20W50 in all 3 or ATF in primary or 75w90 up north or 75W140 in the south Syn or Dino would all be perfectly good choices in protecting our bikes. Hell i see folks changing tranny oil at 2500 miles...is that really necessary???? We run it for 50-70 miles in our cars rear ends or manual transmissions without issues so why not in the Bikes...Some say "You pay 20k for a bike" You can surely change the oil this often but are some of these comments a bit Extravagent? I am about treating my bike right but some of these comments seem a bit "foolish" to me... I don't want to seem like i am calling anybody stooopid but wasting money on fluids that should last 20k miles changed at 2500 miles??? What do y'all think.
BTW, i switched the last change to Formuas + in the tranny and primary because the dealer had my tranny and primary opened for warranty work and it shifts pretty smooove...as smooove as any other i tried (20W50, Amsoil severe gear, Mobil 1 75W140 & Walmart syn 75W90)??? Hell they all cost a pretty penny too...

 

I use Valvoline 20w-50 in the engine, Valvoline fully syn gear oil in the transmission but in my primary I always used HD "FORMULA +" primary oil. Not because I like FORMULA + but because it doesn’t actually say what type/grade the oil is and no-where in the HD manual or on the bottle can I find what the oil requirements are. It's like Harley doesn’t want you to know what’s inside "primary" oil so you cant find a aftermarket replacement. Maybe its "MAGIC" oil. I have looked on the forum to find a suitable replacement for my next service but my options are limited here in Germany

 

I already stated 5 thou on my motor oil, but the tranny I'll go 10 thou and the primary gets 5 thou or less. Reason being (on the primary) is that I actually notice a smoother shift after changing the oil at that interval. So the fluid must be "spent" to some extent, for me to actually feel the difference. 5 thou, sometimes even sooner. No way I'd go 10 thou on a primary interval. I do ride hard at times.

Tranny is likely safe up to 20 thou, but 10 thou won't kill my wallet.

 

5000/10000/20000 is normal intervals though... that is what my manual says.. hey i have changed the primary at 5000 also and really didn't notice a big difference.... I just think that sometimes we over think some of this **** and the only ones benefiting from it it the oil companies. I don't believe everything MOCO says but with fluid change intervals i amsure they have done "SOME" research...i do say some....not much...LOL...

 

I see that vonzoog had to beg to get this thread started but once it was on, it was on. Oh yeah, he was compelled to start this oil thread after researching all the oil threads on this forum for the last five years. Apparently there was not enough information in those threads to answer the age old question of what lubricant is best for engine, tranny and primary. After all this time, it is still such a mystery.

By post #23 vonzoog was switched on and wanted to know more; by post #34 he had more questions; by post #47 he had learned enough to give the following advice to another poster.

Very sage advice.

Finally, by post #56 vonzoog had read enough that he had made the decision that he was going with Mobil 1 20W50 in the engine and Redline shockproof int the trannry for his 5K service. Evidently, after all the oil banter, he was still undecided about what to use in the primary which, according to some, should be changed at 5K mile intervals.

I do get a kick out of these oil threads but still think it's all much ado about nothing. I don't think vonzood has made a decision about what to use in the primary, so this thread may be good for another 20-30 posts!

Sorry guys, I just can't help myself. This oil thing just isn't that complicated.

No knok on vonzoog, just using the thread to illustrate a point.

 

This is what my 2010 Touring Service Manual says to use.

PRIMARY CHAINCASE LUBRICANT 1.9
GENERAL
All models have an automatic chain tensioner. For primary
chain service procedures, see 5.4 DRIVE COMPONENTS.
PRIMARY CHAINCASE LUBRICANT
General
NOTE
The chaincase lubricant level should be drained and refilled at
specified intervals. Refer to Table 1-4.
Check Lubricant Level
1. Ride motorcycle until engine is warmed up to normal
operating temperature.
2. Stand vehicle upright on a level surface, so that primary
chaincase is level.
3. See Figure 1-10. Remove clutch inspection cover from
primary chaincase cover.
4. Remove and discard seal ring from cover.
5. If the fluid level is visible through the clutch inspection
cover opening, it is adequate. If necessary, add enough
of the recommended GENUINE Harley-Davidson lubricant
until it is visible along the bottom portion of the clutch
assembly. Refer to Table 1-9.
6. Refer to Changing Chaincase Lubricant to install seal ring
and clutch inspection cover.
Do not overfill the primary chaincase with lubricant.
Overfilling can cause rough clutch engagement, incomplete
disengagement, clutch drag and/or difficulty in
finding neutral at engine idle. (00199b)
Table 1-9. Recommended Lubricant
MODEL LUBRICANT
FORMULA+ TRANSMISSION AND
PRIMARY CHAIN LUBRICANT
(Part No. 99851-05)
or
SYN3 20W50 OIL
(Part No. 99824-03/00QT quart)
All
4 3
2 5
1
1 3
2
4
om04765
1. Primary chaincase cover
2. Drain plug
3. Clutch inspection cover
4. Torque sequence
Figure 1-10. Primary Chaincase
Changing Chaincase Lubricant
When draining or adding lubricant, do not allow dirt, debris
or other contaminants to enter the engine. (00198a)
1. Ride motorcycle until engine is warmed to normal operating
temperature.
2. See Figure 1-10. Remove clutch inspection cover from
primary chaincase cover.
3. Remove drain plug (2) and drain lubricant into suitable
container.
NOTE
Dispose of chaincase lubricant in accordance with local regulations

 

This is well written. Maybe you could help the guy that started the Thread about Modulating Headlight's, or the one about where do you put your gas cap??? LMAO

 

It's getting cold out... we need some **** to write about....searching??? WTF is that?

 

As I stated, I notice a difference, or I wouldn't stick with that interval.
But I also had stated that I ride the bike hard at times. Might be the reason my primary oil needs it more often.