Question on HD engine fluids?
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 44
From: Back woods of Maine
I use Amsoil Severe Gear 75w90 in my tranny with no complaints. There are a lot of people using the Redline products on this forum, and they all appear to like it as well. Since Redline isn't easily available to me in this area, I have stuck with Amsoil, which is easily available. I do know this- There is a significant improvement in the way that my tranny shifts when I chose Amsoil over Syn3.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
I hear you. I guess I'm just a little overly eager to keep all the fluids fresh early in the engine life. I may even change all three fluids agains at 5k, then start following the manufacture mileage recommendations after that. My specific thing with the tranny fluid was that I've heard claims of guys using after-market fluids that were supposedly much better than HD tranny fluid.
no problem with that. what i do is change all 3 at 1k. then change all 3 again at 5k. then i will change the engine oil at 5k intervals, and the primary and tranny at 10k intervals. that way it's easy to remember to change the primary/tranny at every other oil change. and yes, you will have much better results if you use a specific gear oil (for your gears) instead of syn3 or formula + in your tranny box
Account Retired
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,245
Likes: 12
From: Here
Nothing wrong with your plan. I changed my fluids more frequently until I reached 10K miles. Now I'm going with the recommended intervals. If you are going to use Amsoil, use 20W50 in your engine and primary. Use Severe Gear 75W90 or 75W140 in your tranny. Good stuff!
However, IMO, I have the best formula for a new Harley!!!!
Mobil 1 15W50 Engine
Rotella T 15W40 Primary
Redline Heavy Shockproof Tranny
However, IMO, I have the best formula for a new Harley!!!!
Mobil 1 15W50 Engine
Rotella T 15W40 Primary
Redline Heavy Shockproof Tranny
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,528
Likes: 6,407
From: Honah Lee
+ Harley works great. Its about top end of 75-90 but does not have the EP in it like car differential fluid. Just my opinion but do not make the mistake of putting too thick in it to stop the slight bang you here when the drive dogs drop in. There are some small needle roller in there that like the thiner flushing effect of a thinner but proper oil. Use what Harley says and you will not go wrong.
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 2
From: Colorado
I use Amsoil Severe Gear 75w90 in my tranny with no complaints. There are a lot of people using the Redline products on this forum, and they all appear to like it as well. Since Redline isn't easily available to me in this area, I have stuck with Amsoil, which is easily available. I do know this- There is a significant improvement in the way that my tranny shifts when I chose Amsoil over Syn3.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 2
From: Northern Colorado
Amsoil 20w50 in the motor
Spectro 6 Speed in the tranny
HD Formula+ in the primary
Change them at their recommended mileage intervals OR once a year, whichever comes first.
There are a lot of good oils out there for your bike, this is what I've chosen for mine but to each is own.
Spectro 6 Speed in the tranny
HD Formula+ in the primary
Change them at their recommended mileage intervals OR once a year, whichever comes first.
There are a lot of good oils out there for your bike, this is what I've chosen for mine but to each is own.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,916
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, Texas
+ Harley works great. Its about top end of 75-90 but does not have the EP in it like car differential fluid. Just my opinion but do not make the mistake of putting too thick in it to stop the slight bang you here when the drive dogs drop in. There are some small needle roller in there that like the thiner flushing effect of a thinner but proper oil. Use what Harley says and you will not go wrong.
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 2
From: Colorado
I really apreciate all the opinions and advice on brands and fluid weight. Since Amsoil is a quality brand that I used and trusted for years in my other vehicles, I think I'll give it a try first. Their HD cross reference chart (below) makes getting the correct fluids pretty easy. If I'm not happy with the Amsoil, I'll probably give the Redline a try, as many of you seem to swear by it.
http://www.amsoil.com/products/stree...oil_chart.aspx
http://www.amsoil.com/products/stree...oil_chart.aspx
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