Oil Brands Harley Oil & Lubrication Discuss Oil Brands in the Harley Tech & Harley How-to forums; Does it matter who makes the oil as long as it is a reputable company? I've been using Revtech 20w50 and found Valvoline 20W50 at half the cost. Valvoline states ...

[1996Fatboy]

Does it matter who makes the oil as long as it is a reputable company? I've been using Revtech 20w50 and found Valvoline 20W50 at half the cost. Valvoline states it is manufactured for Air Cooled Vtwins. Does anyone else use this or other brands?

96

As long as API rating is good and formulated for air cooled engines it should be fine. I have used Valvoline for years with good results.

[Majicbringer]

Amsoil! It's the best stuff out there, period!

[94flhtcu]

I love revtec pure, but it' s gettin hard to find. Last time I ordered gallons from J&P. I also am thinkin about goin to valvoline. Used it years ago in the sporty. It was good then, and has probably improved. I use it in everything else.

It sounds like Amsoil is good stuff but I am so burned out on multi level marketing.

[BluesFan]

Short answer is NO, it doesn't matter as long as it's a name brand. Preferably with API certs.

Oils 'thincker" than straight 30 weight are under different additive rules via EPA, So the formulation of a 20-50 is different than a 30 or 10-3o for a car.

I advise against buying large quatities and storing it.

Oil has a shelf life in storage, but not in a machine.

In storage, additives can separate out. In a machine, it stays stirred up.

ow imagine topping off your bike out of a 3 year old gallon jug. Did you get the additives too? Who knows.

[humpbackbob]

Can't ya shake the can?

[BluesFan]

for how long?

Paint shaker might do it.

Really, it's not worth the risk.

Now remember, I'm talking minimum gallon jugs and just using some of it.

If you are using the whole thing, and manage to remix it properly, well then youi are likely OK.

I need to do some reading about remixing. I'll get back in a day or so.

[94flhtcu]

Those are good points, bluesfan.

[lowrider01]

i used HD synth for awhile,switched to amsoil,20w50 in eng,primary,gear oil in tranny,I will say the gear oil sure made for alot smoother shift,the 20w50 quietened (is that a word ) the engine noise....Amsoil is also cheaper than the HD synth.I also use their filters..........