Harley Fluids What and Why!

Jun 2, 2009
140
3
Camp Verde, AZ
Ok, just want to know what you all are running in twin cam's (ultras, trikes etc), and why you have settled on that brand and weights.
What are you running in all 3 holes, motor, primary and trans.
Thank You
Mike
 
I'm running Harley's Syn 3 in everything on my '06 Ultra. It is a bit pricy, but I like the idea of only having to carry one bottle of oil when out on the road that will cover "all 3 holes". Yes, I have had to add oil to the trans when out on the road. Now that she's a trike, I probably won't ever have to do that again, but I plan to keep using the Syn 3. According to some people, that are using Amsoil, the Amsoil gear lube helps quiet that clunk in the trans when going from neutral to 1st, but then too, plain old 90 wt gear oil would probably do that too. I know when I get that Syn 3 on my hands it's almost impossible to wipe off that slipery feeling without soap or handcleaner. It feels a LOT like Type E fork oil in that respect.

NM
 
As my HD is an EVO, I won't chime on on the fluids use except to say I found it interesting that for years, Harley cautioned against using any kind of synthetic fluids in any Harley. Ah, but now that the MoFoCo has Syn3, it is fine in all 3 seperate places we had to use 3 seperate fluids before, even recommended in the EVO's. :confused:
 
I've been using Spectro oils for 10 years now, I've looked on the internet and we can get Amsoil 20-50 in the UK, Would I have to flush out every trace of the Spectro oils or would a hot drain down and fill with Amsoil be ok.


Regards

John.
 
Ok lets think for a minute....would you put trans fluid in your car engine? or motor oil in the rear end gear case? :no: NO right?......well why do you think is ok to put motor oil in all three holes :confused: cause some guy says do it from Harley...the people that want to sell more bikes :rolleyes:.......So me...I run Red line 20w50 in the motor...motor oil......and Red line heavy duty shock proof gear oil in the trans.......and Red line MTL (manuel trans lube) in the primary :yes:
BTW all syn.
google it on the net

just my 2 cents

Tony
 
Ok lets think for a minute....would you put trans fluid in your car engine? or motor oil in the rear end gear case? :no: NO right]

Not necessessarily. I've used ATF in engines to clean 'em out. We used to put engine oil in the Road Ranger transmissions on our semis. Worked fine. Got in excess of 500,000 in a trans rebuild. A there are several autos & trucks now that use ATF in the manual transmissions, differentials, & transfer cases on 4X4s. Cat heavy equipment used hydraulic oil in transmissions & 50 wt motor oil in the diffs & final drives. 90 wt gear oil is almost a thing of the past.

NM
 
OK!! LOL....I knew someone would come back......So if ya wanna put Crisco in fine..maybe Mazola...lol....But Im not takin chances with my $6,000 AIR cooled engine or my $2,000 trans that reves at 3000 rpm...I listen to the experts.

Tony
 
When I first got the bike, I was running the HD SYN3 oil in the engine, transmission, and primary. In an effort to reduce drive train noise and the clunk when shifting, I went to Spectro Primary Chaincase oil in the primary,
and the 6 speed tranmission oil (synthetic 75W140) in the gear box with good results.

Due to the high temperatures during the summer months here in Arizona, I
have switched to Red Line 20W60 (synthetic) in the crankcase which has a better VI (viscosity index - less thinning at higher temps) than comparable 20W50. What I was looking for was higher oil pressure at idle with 230 - 250 deg F oil temp. Seems to be better so far however need to see what happens when I get stuck in traffic on a 105+ deg. summer day.

I believe that the 20W50 SYN3 oil provides adequate lubrication for all three compartments under normal conditions. I've decided to utilize different lubricants to either improve performance, or deal with extreme conditions.
 
Ok, just want to know what you all are running in twin cam's (ultras, trikes etc), and why you have settled on that brand and weights.
What are you running in all 3 holes, motor, primary and trans.
Thank You
Mike

I've just bought my 2010 Street Glide Trike last Monday. My husband has already changed the fluids. Red Line Shock Proof in the tranny; Mobile 1 ATF in the Primary; Mobile 1 20W50 V-Twin in the Engine. He has owned motorcycles for around 40 years, raced, built and experienced many changes. He is also a stickler for perfection. In his opion that combination works best for him. He has a 2008 HD Ultra Classic 105th anniversay edition. If you want more inside stuff, let me know and he will pm you with more info.
 
I went to Spectro Primary Chaincase oil in the primary, and the 6 speed tranmission oil (synthetic 75W140) in the gear box with good results.

I use the Spectro Platinum 6 speed (75/140) tranny oil in my 07 Ultra
for 20k miles and will be putting it in Lynn's Trike because of her shifting
problems today in 80+ heat and being in City traffic. She had a heck of
a time trying to shift between gears :-(
Rob ......
 
Rick as stated above there is 2 scales on the stick. Some are on the same side some are on opposite sides. HD did that long ago because they planned for people attaching side cars to their bikes. Works great for us trikers.
 
Ok lets think for a minute....would you put trans fluid in your car engine? or motor oil in the rear end gear case? :no: NO right?......well why do you think is ok to put motor oil in all three holes :confused: cause some guy says do it from Harley...the people that want to sell more bikes :rolleyes:.......So me...I run Red line 20w50 in the motor...motor oil......and Red line heavy duty shock proof gear oil in the trans.......and Red line MTL (manuel trans lube) in the primary :yes:
BTW all syn.
google it on the net

just my 2 cents

Tony

And my .02 back at ya:)
Syn 3 is touted as having been formulated for use in all 3 places on the Harley's. I understand the CVO bikes come w/Syn 3.
Your statement is exactly one of the reasons Harley had different "stuff" available for each use, IMHO.
Would the manufacturer mislead us:no:
I think Syn3 is OK. I wonder about using it in my Gold Wing?
 
Tonyd...Crisco is more like a grease....so it goes in the tranny. Run Wesson Oil in the primary! Sounds like a post I read on one of these oil argument threads where a guy said he ran "slippery oil". (LOL)

Seriously now folks...I run Mobil1 VT20-50 in the engine most of the time, Mobil1 primary fluid in the chain case and a good grade of 75W140 synthetic in the transmission. I run an aftermarket 6-speed and it simply does not like anything but 75W140. I never have owned a Harley that would shift properly with any brand of 20-50 motor oil in the gearbox...be in Amsoil or Syn3.

I actually do change up a bit now and then. Harley dino runs a lot quieter in the motor and reduces that little lifter-tap a few of us have. On the longer trips when I know I may not get to change it before a 4,000 to 5,000 run...I will run synthetic...and no..mixing it has never killed any engine I have ever owned. I have also ran ATF in the chain case just too see if it would explode....never has, nor has any good grade of 20-50 motor oil in there.

I have a friend with an 02 Ultra that has never ran a thing other than HD dino and his just rolled over 160,000 miles a couple of weeks ago.
 
Amsoil synthetic in my 1200 cc Harley Sportster trike. I switched to synthetic oil in my Subie cage years ago and happy so I wanted to go with synthetics in the trike as well. I recently read a Blackstone report of oil analysis on a Harley running Amsoil Synthetic and the report came back with excellent results. Just my opinion....
 
Amen there timigala! I never let mine go much past 3,000 miles on the motor, every other oil change on the primary and every third oil change on the transmission. Just keep the fluids fresh and you can run just about anything you want to...within reason.

Personally, I think changing primary and tranny fluids at each oil change is a complete waste of time. The primary fluid is going to start looking dirty after a ride around the block anyway and I have never drained anything but clean fluid out of a transmission if I changed it at 3-4,000 mile intervals. That stuff will go 10,000 miles easy, but in any case....change it all once a year, even if it has done nothing but sit in the garage.
 
Mobil 1 syn 20-50 v twin oil HD+ in primary , Mobil 1 syn gear lube 75-90 in tranny oh by the way hd syn 3 is a syn blend ,from what i read on some of the harley forums, just to let you know.as far as running dino oil in the primary i guess im oil school on putting syn in the clutch.but ive done it this way for the last 100,000 miles
 
I run Amsoil 20W 50 in the motor, Bel-ray 85-140 in the trans and Formula Plus in the primary. There is White Paper data on the internet that clearly shows how it compares to other lube products. Check it out! I run the Bel-ray 85 -140 in the trans to quite it down. Ride Safe!
 
Amsoil 20-50 engine and primary, Amsoil 75-90 in the trans - basically because my indy recommended it. Trans got quieter and easier to shift and find neutral, and oil temp is about 15 deg lower in summer. I'll probably switch to 20-50 in all three holes as that's what they recommend now for the TC, but won't be changing the trans fluid for a while. Just had a small leak (clutch cable) and patched it - fluid was crystal clear. I buy filters and cases of oil direct from Amsoil now. Previous ower used Syn3 and HD gear oil.
 
Tonyd...Crisco is more like a grease....so it goes in the tranny. Run Wesson Oil in the primary! Sounds like a post I read on one of these oil argument threads where a guy said he ran "slippery oil". (LOL)

Seriously now folks...I run Mobil1 VT20-50 in the engine most of the time, Mobil1 primary fluid in the chain case and a good grade of 75W140 synthetic in the transmission. I run an aftermarket 6-speed and it simply does not like anything but 75W140. I never have owned a Harley that would shift properly with any brand of 20-50 motor oil in the gearbox...be in Amsoil or Syn3.

I actually do change up a bit now and then. Harley dino runs a lot quieter in the motor and reduces that little lifter-tap a few of us have. On the longer trips when I know I may not get to change it before a 4,000 to 5,000 run...I will run synthetic...and no..mixing it has never killed any engine I have ever owned. I have also ran ATF in the chain case just too see if it would explode....never has, nor has any good grade of 20-50 motor oil in there.

I have a friend with an 02 Ultra that has never ran a thing other than HD dino and his just rolled over 160,000 miles a couple of weeks ago.

I agree I have used Mobil 1 for 45,000 mi in all three holes and never had a bit of trouble.... I did a cam and gear drive change to it at 24,000 when I tore it down there was very little wear and it look good in there except for the chain shoes inner and outer on both inner and outer chains....

But we all know this is a weak spot in the twin cam 88...Mine were shot !!!

I went with the Andrews 26g cams and S&S gear drive was definitely a very good choice it pulled like a truck after the change...

I also went with a V/H fuel pack an Arlen Ness big sucker II and true duels with wild pig slash cuts and 2.5 baffles...:Computer: Just my 2 $ never have been able to put 2 cents in since I started riding Harleys 50 years ago it has always been Hundred Harley---- Dollars Davidson but would never have it any other way......Ride safe and long ...

Jerry
 

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