20w50 or straight 50w
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,450
Likes: 4
From: El Cajon Ca.
I have a 90 Evo Springer Softail and I ran straight 50w for the last 21 years with no problems. Bought a 97 Evo Roadking about five weeks ago and went by El Cajone Harley and talked to the head mechanic about ticking from the top end. He said run straight 50W. I just changed it again on my second oil change with Valvoline 50w. Definetly quieter. Also took the windshield off and didn't even here the ticking. So I put Valvoline 50w in the crankcase and some redline shockproof in the trans and Valvoline 20 50 all climate in the primary. Leaving San Diego Wed and riding it up to Boise/Meridian Idaho. Guess I subscribe to the original post and let it warm up good in the morning before I hit it.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Meridian, Idaho
I actually rent a place over in North Park because I'm here more than I am home in Idaho. I think those guys at El Cajone are pretty straight shooters. I don't use Harley dealers much and get most of my stuff at Tatro's Machine Shop down on Emerald.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Meridian, Idaho
Yours is the odd one and your probably a responsible owner who takes care of his ride , good to hear there's people like you out there , keep in mind I see most of them after they are screwed up . I've replaced I can't remember how many gasket sets from 85 into the 90's on evo's mostly from owners who just rode them and didn't take the time or cared , still have a big box of the older cork rocker cover gaskets for those somewhere. Contrary to the hype the oiling & breather system wasn't that much better than shovels and then it was the automotive style lifters & upper end oiling that improved somewhat . HD went throug some changes with those early evo lifters also personally I think they keep jumping to cheaper suppliers and it shows under use .
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
Likes: 51,457
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
I work for a large Gas Turbine Manufacturer in San Diego and it's a point of pride with my friends. My bike is third in the milage department. Have a friend who just retired and has 214,000 on his 93 ElectraGlide. Our other buddy Tom has a 78 AMF Dyna he bought new that has over 360,000 miles and he has every valve, guides, crank and part that has been replaced over the years on his desk with an explanation with how it wore out. He rides everyday rain or shine. I'm not hardcore I drive a car when it's raining. My 90 I bought new and Tom the shovel guy made fun of me for buying an Evo Softail Springer. It finally blew the motor about six weeks ago with 178,000 on the clock. Cases lost a chunk and went through the motor. Not much left so will be buying Crate motor for it soon.
Sweet my sig pic bike is a 72 I've had since 82 and we're over the 500,000 mile mark , she's up to 93" now on the 4th motor and Ive beat the hell out of that bike over the years and she's hauled me everywhere without a failure I couldn't do a roadside patch on . Keep the faith man .
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
Likes: 51,457
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
I'm going to owe you man I like that line I may hijack it for a sig statement , nicely done bro !
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 10
From: Mass
Originally Posted by 3yearsleft View Post
I work for a large Gas Turbine Manufacturer in San Diego and it's a point of pride with my friends. My bike is third in the milage department. Have a friend who just retired and has 214,000 on his 93 ElectraGlide. Our other buddy Tom has a 78 AMF Dyna he bought new that has over 360,000 miles and he has every valve, guides, crank and part that has been replaced over the years on his desk with an explanation with how it wore out. He rides everyday rain or shine. I'm not hardcore I drive a car when it's raining. My 90 I bought new and Tom the shovel guy made fun of me for buying an Evo Softail Springer. It finally blew the motor about six weeks ago with 178,000 on the clock. Cases lost a chunk and went through the motor. Not much left so will be buying Crate motor for it soon.
...what is a AMF Dyna???...Dynas were EVO's to start with....you mean Superglide maybe?..or Lowrider?...
I work for a large Gas Turbine Manufacturer in San Diego and it's a point of pride with my friends. My bike is third in the milage department. Have a friend who just retired and has 214,000 on his 93 ElectraGlide. Our other buddy Tom has a 78 AMF Dyna he bought new that has over 360,000 miles and he has every valve, guides, crank and part that has been replaced over the years on his desk with an explanation with how it wore out. He rides everyday rain or shine. I'm not hardcore I drive a car when it's raining. My 90 I bought new and Tom the shovel guy made fun of me for buying an Evo Softail Springer. It finally blew the motor about six weeks ago with 178,000 on the clock. Cases lost a chunk and went through the motor. Not much left so will be buying Crate motor for it soon.
...what is a AMF Dyna???...Dynas were EVO's to start with....you mean Superglide maybe?..or Lowrider?...
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Meridian, Idaho
Originally Posted by 3yearsleft View Post
I work for a large Gas Turbine Manufacturer in San Diego and it's a point of pride with my friends. My bike is third in the milage department. Have a friend who just retired and has 214,000 on his 93 ElectraGlide. Our other buddy Tom has a 78 AMF Dyna he bought new that has over 360,000 miles and he has every valve, guides, crank and part that has been replaced over the years on his desk with an explanation with how it wore out. He rides everyday rain or shine. I'm not hardcore I drive a car when it's raining. My 90 I bought new and Tom the shovel guy made fun of me for buying an Evo Softail Springer. It finally blew the motor about six weeks ago with 178,000 on the clock. Cases lost a chunk and went through the motor. Not much left so will be buying Crate motor for it soon.
...what is a AMF Dyna???...Dynas were EVO's to start with....you mean Superglide maybe?..or Lowrider?...
I work for a large Gas Turbine Manufacturer in San Diego and it's a point of pride with my friends. My bike is third in the milage department. Have a friend who just retired and has 214,000 on his 93 ElectraGlide. Our other buddy Tom has a 78 AMF Dyna he bought new that has over 360,000 miles and he has every valve, guides, crank and part that has been replaced over the years on his desk with an explanation with how it wore out. He rides everyday rain or shine. I'm not hardcore I drive a car when it's raining. My 90 I bought new and Tom the shovel guy made fun of me for buying an Evo Softail Springer. It finally blew the motor about six weeks ago with 178,000 on the clock. Cases lost a chunk and went through the motor. Not much left so will be buying Crate motor for it soon.
...what is a AMF Dyna???...Dynas were EVO's to start with....you mean Superglide maybe?..or Lowrider?...
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 128
Today I told by brother in law I was doing a oil change on my bike and I picked up some 20w50 Lucas synthetic.. He told me to take it back and to only run straight 50w and just let the bike warm up abit longer, and that the straight 50w will be better for the motor ect.. he explained some things to me over my head about the differences between the 2. Now i live in michigan and it can dip in temps here.. what do you guys thing