We need to talk about oil.

[MDO]

Not sure how you're coming to the conclusion your stated.

I am reading the chart you posted and seeing that if the lowest temp you ride in is above 60 and below 80, the recommended oil is SAE 50, and if the lowest temp you ride in is above 80, the recommended oil is SAE 60.

The Excellent, Good, Poor ratings are referring only to "Cold Weather Starting" below 50.

The reason the temps are there is that different weight oils are ideal for different temps....otherwise, why even have a chart...they would just say that 20W-50 is the recommended oil.

Kevin

I live in a strange climate. It can be 25° 1 day & 75° the next day.

100° in the summer & 0° in the winter.

The more I looked at oil, the more confused I've become. The HD dealers around here recommend the Syn3 oil 20W50 in all 3 holes, with 1/2 reccomending a specìfic tranny & diff. fluid. It's hard to figure out what's best. Lucas Oil recommended to me in my climate, their full synthetic high performance 20W50 would be best. I am liking it so far.

 

[DK Custom Products]

I live in a strange climate. It can be 25° 1 day & 75° the next day.

100° in the summer & 0° in the winter.

The more I looked at oil, the more confused I've become. The HD dealers around here recommend the Syn3 oil 20W50 in all 3 holes, with 1/2 reccomending a specìfic tranny & diff. fluid. It's hard to figure out what's best. Lucas Oil recommended to me in my climate, their full synthetic high performance 20W50 would be best. I am liking it so far.

If for an entire oil change (approx. 5000 miles) one cannot say that riding temps will always be above 60*, then the 20W-50 is what HD recommends as best.

I have similar weather to what you have, but I'll do 4-5 oil changes a year when the temps are always above 60*. Sometimes a couple of oil changes where the temps are always above 80*.

Can't imagine what it would be like in some of the areas in the Southwestern States!

The viscosity of oil for riding conditions is pretty easy to figure out....BUT, WHICH oils to use, in which holes, can be a never ending quest to find what is "Best".

I have tried more oils than I can count. I think all of the main line oils will provide adequate lubrication...but there are other things to consider, such as noise, smoothness, clutch engagement, how many miles before the viscosity modifiers start breaking down, etc.

The subject is endless.

I can't say I'll never try another oil...but it has been a couple of years since I quit "testing out" new oils.

Kevin

 

[MDO]

Kevin, thanks for responding. I am curious to know,

what oil/lube are you using in your 3 reservoirs?

 

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin, thanks for responding. I am curious to know,

what oil/lube are you using in your 3 reservoirs?

In the Tri-Glide I use Redline Heavy Shockproof in the trans. Last couple of years been using Syn3 in the primary. Part of the year is Redline 20W-50 in the engine, rest of the year is Royal Purple 50W in the engine.

I also use Petron Plus additives in the engine and trans.

Kevin

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

I have been running Lucas in the last 4 Harleys I have owned with zero issues 20/50 until now,i switched to Lucas straight 50 weight,I have a heated garage so cold starts are not an issue.I still use Bel Ray in the trans and HD primary oil.But will switch to Lucas primary oil this spring.

 

[MDO]

I have been running Lucas in the last 4 Harleys I have owned with zero issues 20/50 until now,i switched to Lucas straight 50 weight,I have a heated garage so cold starts are not an issue.I still use Bel Ray in the trans and HD primary oil.But will switch to Lucas primary oil this spring.

I with you on the Lucas 20W50. I had an immediate improvement in shifting after installing it.

I may go with their dedicated tranny & primary oil, the experience on here has convinced me.

 

[firebikerd]

Oil Break down

I like reading these posts on oil! I have been running nothing but full synthetics in all 3 hole since buying my 2000 FLHTC 2nd year of Twin Cam!

I run the Synthetic because I read somewhere that Dino oil starts to break down fast at 270deg!

These newer twin cams run hot! My old 2000 hit 270deg in the oil bag in Sturgis in 2015 fried the fuel line and it split Amsoil in all 3 holes engine still runs fine! It's still a twincam but all S&S gear drive; Billet Plate and Melling oil pump! Amsoil gear oil in trans and shifts smoother!

DK has done a lot of heat research on the twin cam engine and I'm using most of his stuff on my 2015 Freewheeler. I have the remote oil filter and have not installed the 2nd oil cooler yet (it's been 25deg low 60's for high) don't freell the need to install till this summer!

JMO I would never run anything but synthetic in a twin cam: They just run too Hot!

 

[Jack Klarich]

IMO the M* runs just as hot if not a bit hotter

The plus is they cool down quicker

I think the metals in the M8 are a bit better to stand this heat

 

[MDO]

IMO the M* runs just as hot if not a bit hotter

The plus is they cool down quicker

I think the metals in the M8 are a bit better to stand this heat

+1! I totally agree.

 

[ragsflh]

oil

run 20/50. live in okla where temps in summer are 100 plus.remember old days when i would run 70 weight kendahl oil in my knuckle.times have change.be cold out and that oil was like tar.new oil run thinner.my truck uses 5/20.hd going to recomend their oil.i run mobil 1.buy any parts store/walmart travel xcoss county.use what you want.

 

[MDO]

Hey Jack, I just picked up some more of your Quicksilver 20W-50 synthetic motorcycle oil for $4.50 a quart. It was right next to a gallon jug for $28.50. I don't go there often, but I'm checking for them to put out more. That's too good of a price to pass up.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Hey Jack, I just picked up some more of your Quicksilver 20W-50 synthetic motorcycle oil for $4.50 a quart. It was right next to a gallon jug for $28.50. I don't go there often, but I'm checking for them to put out more. That's too good of a price to pass up.

Awesome price

 

[Free Bird]

What did I do to my Freewheeler today? I thought about oil debates.....

I like John's videos and this is a pretty good one on oil

 

[Old Road Dog]

Everything one needs to know about oil for an HD motor can be found in the owner's manual. Written by the folks that built the motor. Of course it doesn't feature a scantily clad young lass promoting a hip oil with a cool sounding name.Therefore disregard the advice of this old sinner. Instead listen to the young girl. Im sure her motor is well lubricated.

 

[MDO]

duplicate post.

 

[MDO]

Of course the MoCo want you to use THEIR oil, the only problem is it's not the best oil to use IMO. That's also what every decent service technician with tell you, if their honest. If your having trouble shifting , they will say, try this, usually Redline Shockproof transmission fluid.

The important thing is to change them at regular intervals.

 

[Wmitz]

I have used Liqui Moly 10w-60 race oil in two bikes, and it will go into my current bike at the next oil change. HTT has an extensive thread on with lab results, it’s a long thread. For me it helps to quiet the engine while it seems to keep it running a bit cooler. About the same pricing of other synthetic oils. Fleabay is where I buy it from. Mind you it’s engine oil, no good for the primary.

 

[MDO]

I still have 10 quarts of Lucas 20w50 full synthetic motorcycle oil, but because I like to change things up, in a few 100 miles, I will be switching to Redline 20w50 in the engine.

I have Shockprof in the tranny & it's great. I still have Formula + in the primary & 1 more to use, then I will switch to Redline primary fluid, as I have 2 of those.

Jack, I have posted here to revive this thread just because I know you really like oil threads.

 

[Jack Klarich]

I still have 10 quarts of Lucas 20w50 full synthetic motorcycle oil, but because I like to change things up, in a few 100 miles, I will be switching to Redline 20w50 in the engine.

I have Shockprof in the tranny & it's great. I still have Formula + in the primary & 1 more to use, then I will switch to Redline primary fluid, as I have 2 of those.

Jack, I have posted here to revive this thread just because I know you really like oil threads.

A day without an oil post is like a day without coffee

I think the Red line in the primary will be a good choice

I think the MOCO is phasing out the Formula+ in favor of their new gear oil, so I will switch to Redline in my primary as well

 

[MDO]

A day without an oil post is like a day without coffee

I think the Red line in the primary will be a good choice

I think the MOCO is phasing out the Formula+ in favor of their new gear oil, so I will switch to Redline in my primary as well

I didn't have any issues with the Lucas in the primary & still have 2 quarts of the Quicksilver, but wanted to use up the Formula +. Now that I have 2 quarts of the Redline, I'm eager to try it. I know you stated it's for cooling the plates, but it gets so dirty, I just would not feel right leaving it in the primary 10,000 miles. So I'm going to try 10,000 mile intervals on the tranny(Redline Shockproof), 5,000 miles on the primary(currently Formula +) and probably 3-4,000 on the engine oil(currently Castrol Acteva), though I'm changing the Castrol at 2,000 miles before my 2,300 mile trip to Durango, CO and the 4 Corners Rally. This will be my 1st big rally.

I know 1 thing, I need to quit buying oil & filters for awhile, but I have trouble turning down good deals.

I still have 3 K&N & 2 HD oil filters+ 1 Fram motorcycle filter that I decided not to use.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Give the Fram filter to some one you don't like much

They are IMO the last choice for anything Harley

 

[DK Custom Products]

Because oil threads are fun! :laugh:



Kevin