15w-50 Aeroshell??? Harley Oil & Lubrication Discuss 15w-50 Aeroshell??? in the Harley Tech & Harley How-to forums; Used to be an aircraft mechanic and in some aircraft I used Aeroshell synthetic oil. They are air cooled high horespower engines for the most part, with cylinders of similar ...

[Rockrat]

Used to be an aircraft mechanic and in some aircraft I used Aeroshell synthetic oil. They are air cooled high horespower engines for the most part, with cylinders of similar design as the Harley I just bought Friday (my First-- 05' Heritage--5K miles on it). Anyone every used the Aeroshell oil? Just wondering ,as they usually go 200K miles before overhaul, and usually operate at 65% power. They don't see the throttle changes a bike would and stop and go driving also. That might make a big difference.

Plan on changing to Mobil 1 today and 75/90 syn for the trans, with formula+ for the chaincase. Gotta take care of my new baby!

Aeroshell probably couldn't hurt a Harley. Regarding lack of change of throttle setting with aircraft being a factor, as an auto technician we like to see the throttle change periodically because some areas get oil by splash which is different at various RPM. I don't know if pilots are advised to vary throttle or not. Dad was a lifelong pilot and preached it to me.

[BluesFan]

don't do it.

airplane oils sometimes contain very low concentrations of anti-oxidants, anti-foam, and pour point depressants.

As much air as a Harley engine moves, that low anti-foamant could be a real issue.

[Whopper]

I am a pilot and the proud owner of a '65 Beech Musketeer. I use Aeroshell and purchase it by the case, doing my own oil changes etc. I discussed using Aeroshell in my Sporty with the local Shell rep - he advised against it very strongly.

"Throttle jockies" are frowned upon in aircraft circles. You turn into the wind and go like hell, but once airborne you throttle back and leave it until you get where you're going.

He's right, 'don't do it'. A while back, Donny Peterson did a very thorough, in-depth, all sides examined OIL thing. You'll have to ask AIM for the issues they were in, but there was about 8 or so. All the major oil companies, syn vs fossil, whose had what ingredients, what the API's ratings mean and the Aeroshell issue was studied as well. Seems there's not enough detergents, low foaming agents, and resistance to extreme heats as required by your motorcycle engines. Write them for the issues, you'll be glad you did after you read the results.

Rodney is right about the additives in the oil,it is not made to opperate in a high tempurature envirement as in air and oil.Stick to the Moble 1 and formula+ but for the trans I like Red line shockproof heavy for the street,it will make your trans shift like butter.
As for the engine oil I rebuilt a shovel engine that had been run on aeroshell 100 for probably 8 years and I have never seen the inside of a engine so dirty,the carbon was impregnated into everything cases wheels rods rocker boxes had to be sand blasted to clean them.The owner was useing strait 100 not aeroshell W100,the 100 is a break in oil with no additives or detergent in it.Stick to the Moble 1 Mike

[tipper1]

Go to mobil 1 syn trans/gear but the next heavy grade 90/140. That is a reccimendation I got from Mobil engr.

[BillyLoneWolf]

If you are bent on using a Shell product Rotella-T will work just fine. I use it in my Harley's and my Kawi as well. It works great.