The Official 2020 Oil & Filter Thread... (Open to All Makes)

MDO

Oct 11, 2017
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St. Louis, MO
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Michael
The Official 2020 Oil & Filter Thread... (Open to All Makes)

In honor of my friend Jack, who loves a good oil thread,

I am starting the official 2020 oil/filter thread.

What do you use where and why. I am currently using Redline 20W/50 full synthetic in the engine, but have also used Lucus full synthetic 20W/50 with excellent results as tested by Blackstone Labs.

I use Redline Shockproof in the tranny(10,000 change interval)) & HD Formula + in the primary and I change it at 5,000 miles. I have 1 more quart & will then switch to Redline primary fluid.

I have also ran Lucas in all 3 holes and it worked well, but in the tranny, I have found nothing better than Redline Shockproof & quit searching.

For filters I have used the HD 5 micron, Mobil 1 extended service & K&N and all work excellent. Blackstone Labs confirmed great filtration for the Mobil 1 & they don't know what brand filter your using.

Fellow forum members, what works for you?
 
Love these oil threads......I use just the natural dino Rotella 15/40, with the best oil filter Walmart has to offer, change at 6K miles. Think I will make it to 100K miles, just being patient.
 
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Love these oil threads......I use just the natural dino Rotella 15/40, with the best oil filter Walmart has to offer, change at 6K miles. Think I will make it to 100K miles, just being patient.

Shell Rotella 15w/40 dino oil, OEM filter, change maximum 5K miles.

Odometer reading after 10.5 years: 112K miles
 
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2017 Tri-glide with 44500 miles on at this point

Ran SYN 3 in all holes until about 35000 miles

Engine - HD SYN3

Transmission - Redline Shockproof, actually changed so I can see it easier on the dipstick but do like the performance better than the SYN3.

Primary - HD Heavy Synthetic Gear oil, this wasn't available until I had 35000 on then tried it and like it so far.

Change all every 5000 or sooner if taking a trip that will put me over 5000 before returning.

Oil Filter - OUTLAW High Performance Cleanable Oil Filter purchased from DK Custom

Bob
 
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I cruise over to the auto parts stores just before sunup. People drop off jugs of used oil for recycling. I get it first and it's free. Plenty of life left in that used oil. Use the same used oil in my tranny mixed with sawdust. Quietes that pesky whining noise right down. In the primary I use extra virgin olive oil. We all like extra virgins dont we? I know I do_Oil filter- ya supposed to change that? Nah those are lifetime filters.
 
2015 Twin Cam Freewheeler. I use Lucas synthetic 20w-50 in the engine with their stabilizer. Primary gets Shell Rotella T4 15w-40. Currently running Red Line, shockproof in the tranny. I like the visibility of the red oil on the stick but I probably will go back to Bel-Ray Big Twin transmission oil. To me, less clunk from neutral to first gear. I always use a black HD filter.
 
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2020 Tri, currently running hd primary lube, hd syn motor oil and Amsoil 80/140 trans. 1k service was free, as soon as I get close to 5000, Liqui Moly 10w-60 into the engine. That is some of the best oil I’ve used since 2014. Hd primary lube seems fine and at 10k Amsoil 80/140 or equivalent in the trans.
 
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Im due for an oil change, and am glad this came up, b/c I have a few questions.

1. Is it *really* okay to use the same thing in all three? I saw some Mobil1 Synthetic that said it was good for all three, but I'm a bit leery. Since you're all fans of Redline, and I've heard others say it's a good product, I'll definitely be looking at that.

2. Is it worth the investment to get an oil relo kit? I HAD to get one on my 2w Star 1100, because the to change the oil stock, I had to remove the exhaust. I'm good with the current location of my filter, so it might be more of a "well since I can I will", but maybe it's not as simple as that?

3. It's been a while since I changed it, but I ride it daily (12 to 15 miles to work and back). Is there a recommended interval for daily drivers or is it just ymmv? I'm going on 5K right now so yeah, I'm definitely doing it in the next few weeks.
 
Im due for an oil change, and am glad this came up, b/c I have a few questions.

1. Is it *really* okay to use the same thing in all three? I saw some Mobil1 Synthetic that said it was good for all three, but I'm a bit leery. Since you're all fans of Redline, and I've heard others say it's a good product, I'll definitely be looking at that.

2. Is it worth the investment to get an oil relo kit? I HAD to get one on my 2w Star 1100, because the to change the oil stock, I had to remove the exhaust. I'm good with the current location of my filter, so it might be more of a "well since I can I will", but maybe it's not as simple as that?

3. It's been a while since I changed it, but I ride it daily (12 to 15 miles to work and back). Is there a recommended interval for daily drivers or is it just ymmv? I'm going on 5K right now so yeah, I'm definitely doing it in the next few weeks.

Thanks for posting.

I ran HD Syn 3 in all 3 holes, then Lucas Full synthetic motorcycle oil in all 3 and it was better. I now insist on Redline Shockproof in the tranny cause, for me, it just works best.

As far as the filter relocation, it would make it easier/cleaner. I just keep spending the money on other items.

As far as intervals, a lot of us go 5,000 on the engine & 10,000 miles on the other holes, but you have to find your comfort zone. I have been doing the primary every 5,000 with HD Formula + just cause I had a few to use, then I'm going to Redline and 10,000 intervals
 
Im due for an oil change, and am glad this came up, b/c I have a few questions.

1. Is it *really* okay to use the same thing in all three? I saw some Mobil1 Synthetic that said it was good for all three, but I'm a bit leery. Since you're all fans of Redline, and I've heard others say it's a good product, I'll definitely be looking at that.

2. Is it worth the investment to get an oil relo kit? I HAD to get one on my 2w Star 1100, because the to change the oil stock, I had to remove the exhaust. I'm good with the current location of my filter, so it might be more of a "well since I can I will", but maybe it's not as simple as that?

3. It's been a while since I changed it, but I ride it daily (12 to 15 miles to work and back). Is there a recommended interval for daily drivers or is it just ymmv? I'm going on 5K right now so yeah, I'm definitely doing it in the next few weeks.

Tom, short runs on engine oil can be a bad thing. The oil needs to get up to temperature to burn off water vapors. That said, you may want to change sooner.

Redline in the tranny IMO is a big plus. It clings to gears and bearings better than any engine oil . If using HD formula + in your primary you can easily run 10K miles between changes, and with Redline or the new HD gear lube you can run 10K miles before changes
 
Fluid Change Question

Sorry if this is a dumb question or redirect me where to look. I'm new here. This is my first Honda Goldwing Trike. I purchased a new 2014 in 2018. I currently have 5,000+ miles on it. I've changed my primary oil at 3,000 or less. I did my first oil change at 500 miles. I pulled my manual. It states: Final Drive Oil replace 24,000 miles or every two years, Clutch Fluid 12,000 miles.

Replace clutch and final drive fluids more often?? I haven't touched these fluids yet.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
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Sorry if this is a dumb question or redirect me where to look. I'm new here. This is my first Honda Goldwing Trike. I purchased a new 2014 in 2018. I currently have 5,000+ miles on it. I've changed my primary oil at 3,000 or less. I did my first oil change at 500 miles. I pulled my manual. It states: Final Drive Oil replace 24,000 miles or every two years, Clutch Fluid 12,000 miles.

Replace clutch and final drive fluids more often?? I haven't touched these fluids yet.

Thanks!

Welcome. My shaft drive Honda's, I changed it every 2 years. You can't hardly go wrong following the manual.
 
'19 Freewheeler, 950 miles, going to dealer Wednesday for the 1k service. I know, it's way cheaper to do it myself. I'm fully capable but I've always had the dealer do the 1k's and besides, I also need the Traction Control download for the recall.

Ever since HD came out with Syn 3 I've used it in the motor on past bikes and will on my FW. Always Formula+ in the primary. On past bikes I'd put Belray 85/140 in the transmission. That said, when HD came out with their Heavy Synthetic I put it in my Low Rider and it smoothed the shifting quite a bit. That will also go in the FW transmission.
 
2020 Tri, currently running hd primary lube, hd syn motor oil and Amsoil 80/140 trans. 1k service was free, as soon as I get close to 5000, Liqui Moly 10w-60 into the engine. That is some of the best oil I’ve used since 2014. Hd primary lube seems fine and at 10k Amsoil 80/140 or equivalent in the trans.

Would like to hear more on the liquid Moly. want to try it. Already do the Ams severe gear & Ams primary. Will have dealer do the 1000 mile inspect.
 
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Would like to hear more on the liquid Moly. want to try it. Already do the Ams severe gear & Ams primary. Will have dealer do the 1000 mile inspect.
Our Advanced Auto Parts store the one I worked at for awhile carries it. Not the 20W60 but lighter oils for the Beemers and the Mercedes sports models. Not hard to find everything I have read it is good stuff for the price it should be. Developed I think for the Turbocharged and Blower driven motors high stress stuff. Check out the their website very interesting. Fred

P.S. For me I'm most likely going to Amsoil for all three holes Motor oil, Tranny oil, and Primary oil next change Still staying with K&N oil filter.
 
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Youse guys are paying waaay to much for trick Madison Avenue hyped oil. UltraLube 20W50 Full Synthetic V Twin, SJ, JASO, 5 gallon pail $77.99 shipped ( plus tax here in NC) off fleabay.And they also have the Synthetic gear oil 80W-140 GL5. Made right here in the good old USA With 3 bikes and a trike I cant dink around with the by the quart a-gogo.
 

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