difference in oil....
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,521
Likes: 185
From: Ft Myers FL
difference in oil....
During Sturgis week I replaced my engine oil from the 20w50 to the Amsoil SAE60...which I liked...it made my engine much quieter...my question is... what exactly is the difference from the HD SAE60 oil which is $8 and the AMSOIL SAE60 which is $13....does anyone know the "technicalities" of the oil and why such a price difference.
By the way I loved Sturgis/Black Hills, my first time there with 10 other couples...will definately do it again next year...loved the roads/curves, scenery and fellow riders.
By the way I loved Sturgis/Black Hills, my first time there with 10 other couples...will definately do it again next year...loved the roads/curves, scenery and fellow riders.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
do not use a conventional oil in your bike.
use a synthetic made for air cooled motors. conventional 'dino" oils do not tolerate high temperatures as well as synthetics...and can crystalize from heat-- this stuff is like sand when it collects in the pan and recesses of the motor.
remember the twin cam sprays oil at the underside of the pistons and the cylinder bore...the hottest parts of the motor- oil's job is not only to lubricate, but to remove heat
the SAE60 is what i use in my 60 year old FLF.
New motors demand better technology.
Old motors cannot take advantage of it
putting a heavy grade oil in your bike is not as bad as putting sawdust in a tranny to quiet it down...but almost.
a heavy oil will not flow well on start up- metal on metal ... mutligrade oils such as a 20w50 rating flow like a 20W when cold, but act like a 50 w when hot.
Mike
use a synthetic made for air cooled motors. conventional 'dino" oils do not tolerate high temperatures as well as synthetics...and can crystalize from heat-- this stuff is like sand when it collects in the pan and recesses of the motor.
remember the twin cam sprays oil at the underside of the pistons and the cylinder bore...the hottest parts of the motor- oil's job is not only to lubricate, but to remove heat
the SAE60 is what i use in my 60 year old FLF.
New motors demand better technology.
Old motors cannot take advantage of it
putting a heavy grade oil in your bike is not as bad as putting sawdust in a tranny to quiet it down...but almost.
a heavy oil will not flow well on start up- metal on metal ... mutligrade oils such as a 20w50 rating flow like a 20W when cold, but act like a 50 w when hot.
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Sep 1, 2012 at 03:58 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
do not use a conventional oil in your bike.
use a synthetic made for air cooled motors. conventional 'dino" oils do not tolerate high temperatures as well as synthetics...and can crystalize from heat-- this stuff is like sand when it collects in the pan and recesses of the motor.
remember the twin cam sprays oil at the underside of the pistons and the cylinder bor...the hottest parts of the motor- oil's job is not only to lubricate, but to remove heat
the SAE60 is what i use in my 60 year old FLF.
New motors demand better technology.
Old motors cannot take advantage of it
putting a heavy grade oil in your bike is not as bad as putting sawdust in a tranny to quiet it down...but almost.
a heavy oil will not flow well on start up- metal on metal ... mutligrade oils such as a 20w50 rating flow like a 20W when cold, but act like a 50 w when hot.
Mike
use a synthetic made for air cooled motors. conventional 'dino" oils do not tolerate high temperatures as well as synthetics...and can crystalize from heat-- this stuff is like sand when it collects in the pan and recesses of the motor.
remember the twin cam sprays oil at the underside of the pistons and the cylinder bor...the hottest parts of the motor- oil's job is not only to lubricate, but to remove heat
the SAE60 is what i use in my 60 year old FLF.
New motors demand better technology.
Old motors cannot take advantage of it
putting a heavy grade oil in your bike is not as bad as putting sawdust in a tranny to quiet it down...but almost.
a heavy oil will not flow well on start up- metal on metal ... mutligrade oils such as a 20w50 rating flow like a 20W when cold, but act like a 50 w when hot.
Mike
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,164
From: Oxford, Nc
Adding to that: There are tiny ports in the Twin Cam engine that will allow a 60 wt oil to flow only at temps over 80 degrees F Anything cooler ,( thicker,) and those ports will starve somewhat.
Best of both worlds would be a 20W/60 engineered to flow more readily and still protect like a 60 wt.
'Straight" 60 is for hot climates only.
Best of both worlds would be a 20W/60 engineered to flow more readily and still protect like a 60 wt.
'Straight" 60 is for hot climates only.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
Ok but the manual states my '11 96ci TC can use 60w if exterior temperatures are 80degrees> (average temp when I wake up is 82-90) and 50w if it's 60degrees>, which around here in Phoenix I rarely ride when it's below 60 degrees (what can I tell ya my fricken bones ache it's why I live here). With that said, and riding a newer TC, I should be able to run 50w for what we call Winters and 60w for what we call Summers with my riding habits.....I'm not making up my own oil viscosity formulas it's in the manual as an option?
Mike, I consider you extremely knowledgeable but I've got to disagree with you about using conventional oil or it too would be discouraged by the manual....sorry dude.
Mike, I consider you extremely knowledgeable but I've got to disagree with you about using conventional oil or it too would be discouraged by the manual....sorry dude.
Last edited by TUCCI; Sep 1, 2012 at 05:19 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
for those who are interested, Lake Speed jr talks about oil, science, new oil and old motors etc at the adam carolla carcast podcast.
which can be downloaded from here:
http://www.adamcarolla.com/CarCastBl...ed-jr-audi-r8/
or at itunes
he's smarter than I am
mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Sep 1, 2012 at 05:26 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
do not use a conventional oil in your bike.
use a synthetic made for air cooled motors. conventional 'dino" oils do not tolerate high temperatures as well as synthetics...and can crystalize from heat-- this stuff is like sand when it collects in the pan and recesses of the motor.
remember the twin cam sprays oil at the underside of the pistons and the cylinder bore...the hottest parts of the motor- oil's job is not only to lubricate, but to remove heat
the SAE60 is what i use in my 60 year old FLF.
New motors demand better technology.
Old motors cannot take advantage of it
putting a heavy grade oil in your bike is not as bad as putting sawdust in a tranny to quiet it down...but almost.
a heavy oil will not flow well on start up- metal on metal ... mutligrade oils such as a 20w50 rating flow like a 20W when cold, but act like a 50 w when hot.
Mike
use a synthetic made for air cooled motors. conventional 'dino" oils do not tolerate high temperatures as well as synthetics...and can crystalize from heat-- this stuff is like sand when it collects in the pan and recesses of the motor.
remember the twin cam sprays oil at the underside of the pistons and the cylinder bore...the hottest parts of the motor- oil's job is not only to lubricate, but to remove heat
the SAE60 is what i use in my 60 year old FLF.
New motors demand better technology.
Old motors cannot take advantage of it
putting a heavy grade oil in your bike is not as bad as putting sawdust in a tranny to quiet it down...but almost.
a heavy oil will not flow well on start up- metal on metal ... mutligrade oils such as a 20w50 rating flow like a 20W when cold, but act like a 50 w when hot.
Mike
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 670
Likes: 22
From: Umatilla, Fl
There are a number of advantages that synthetic oil has over conventional oils and that is why I only run synthetic. First is the lubricity of synthetic and it ability to "hang on" on metal. Protects much better during start ups. It also has higher "shear" strength then conventional motor oil, thereby adding additional piece of mind for me while I put the motor under load (heavy acceleration). Synthetic withstands high heat much better then dino oil. There are more benefits too so I am confused when people "fight" against the use of it. I think it comes down to dollar and cents. It is a better oil, but if you can't justify the additional cost or can't afford that's ok. For the rest of us that use synthetic oils we understand.
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