Hey all. Used the search function but didn't find what I need, but new to the site so please forgive me. OK, I have what I am sure is oil question number 3 million or so. I have an 02 ultra classic. While I am not new to bikes, I am new to HD and touring models with primary, trans, and engine oils. I've read that some run gear lube, some run 20-50 in this or that or in everything, so whats the gouge here in these parts? The guy I got the bike off of ran full synthetic, royal purple I believe is what he said. My own experience.....I've ran everything and anything in the dozen or so bikes I've had and can't say one way or another that a synthetic did better. I stick to the 3 month 3K rule and have never had a problem. I think it's absurd to pay the price of the Harley synthetics......so, what do you guys say? What oils in a 2002 ultra classic? Any reason one way or another?

 

Here, let me help you search:

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/oil-a...ted-topics-30/

 

You pretty much got er right on. If you are in an extremely hot environment like Texas for summer a conventional oil will be fine at those intervals.
Many use engine oil in the tranny. I read here last year about some members using red-line shockproof heavy in their tranny and I can honestly say that neutral is easier to find and the tranny was more quiet. I have a bottle of royal purple 70w-90 that I am going to try this year because I couldn't find the shockproof.
Now I use rotella t 15w-40 in the primary. It carries the JASO spec for wet clutches and is cheap,so I don't mind changing it out when I change the oil.
I have a few cases of amsoil and mobil 1 that I got for free so I am using that in the engine however if I had to buy oil I would use the valvoline vr-1. It's cost effective and shows good on the used oil analysis' I've seen.
Oil is subjective and everyone has an opinion. In the motor if you want synthetic but don't want to pay the premium for the v-twin stuff mobil 1 makes a 15w-50 that is a better price,and if you continue to change at 3000 miles you aren't pushing the limits of the oil. Any name brand conventional will go 3000 miles safely,a name brand synth will do 5000 safely.
I did a used oil analysis on amsoil v-twin and penzoil 20w-50 and the amsoil sample had slightly higher wear metals but I ran it over 5000 miles. The TBN was at 4 so the oil could have gone farther.
The penzoil sample went just over 3000 miles and had a TBN of 2 so it still had 1000 miles left in it before it was used up.
Don't over think this. Use whatever you feel comfortable with. Your engine won't know the difference.
I will say that every motor(yes every) that I ever used mobil 1 in made more top end noise. And once changed to another brand the noise was lessened. Now that doesn't necessarily mean more wear however less noise does(thicker cushion=less noise). However mobil 1 is a proven product so I didn't worry about it.
Use whatever you like. Synthetic oil won't necessarily make the engine last longer just as eating healthy doesnt mean you will live longer.
If you are in a hot climate I would use synthetic just for peace of mind. It handles heat better and won't succumb to thermal breakdown as quickly.
Just my opinion. Your results may vary

 

sheeesh, thanks for the link, I've been reading that thing for the last hour!. Seems like anything else motorcycle related, everyones an expert and all. I dunno, leaning towards mobil 1 v-twin synthetic 20W-50 in all three. Some seem to be for it and others against it, like anything I guess.

 

I've used m1 for over four years on my bikes and agree that M1 has produced slight increase in engine noise on all of em. Syn. In all three holes. I do use m1 in the sportie engine but use "their" trans/prim. On one big twin I had I tried hd syn a couple of times and that REALLY made the engine racket. My .02 anyway. Read all those oil threads, no, wait, don't. You'll go nuts.

 

Mobil is a proven product. Personal preference aside I have no problems using it. Your bike really won't be able to tell the difference and it will give you the benefit of a longer drain interval,and peace of mind in the heat.
Keep er in the wind

 

If you would like a little more focused oil info, try BITOG. http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php
Personally I never subscribed to the 1 fluid in all three holes idea. There are three seperate applications, all with different lubrication requirements.

 

When Castrol 20w50 was 99 cents and Mobil 1 was 9 dollars I ran Castrol.
Now that Mobil 1 15w50 can be had for $5 I will run the Mobil 1.

Mobil1 1 in the engine.
ATF in the primary.
Royal Purple gear oil in the tranny.

 

I like it simple, best all the way around.
Mobil 1 V-Twin 20w50 Full Syn all three holes.
I use a Mobil 1 Syn in all my stuff; all vehicles.
There is no better high heat or wear protection out there.
I'm confident to go the full distance of the service intervals.
Look around, you will find it under $10 per quart.
Also, I say change all 3 each time, you will notice a little crud in the two unfiltered areas, normal. Usually can reuse seals, no problem. K/N filter with the nut speeds it along, all simple and done and on the road! my .02

 

....if you do use Synthetic oil...don't waste it by dumping it at 3K miles...syn can go 5K at LEAST...and there is no need to change primary and trans oil before 10K miles...you'll get lots of different opinions, but what I've just said is backed up by Harley's service manual. As a matter of fact, they recommend oil changing at 5K miles without the oil being Synthetic...you realistically can go 7K miles on Syn with no danger...but lots of guys are still stuck on the old 3K miles and it's time to change oil...the automotive oils these days are light years ahead of what was out there in the 70's and 80's...good luck on your choice of oil, but if in doubt, just use Harley's 20-50 regular oil, their primary, and trans lube...or if you want to make it easy, use their Syn-3 in all applications..