1967 Shovelhead - Harley Forum

admin · #1 05-23-2007, 03:21 PM

I have a 1967 Shovelhead FLH with 28,000 miles. I want to know if there is any reason not to run 20w-50 oil in it.

Posted by: hkschleg on Sep 20, 05 8:14:07 pm

admin · #2 05-23-2007, 03:22 PM

I use 20-50 in the 93" shovel, 120", hot 80", 113",,
I would say it's ok...
WoW, only 28000 miles, how long have you had it..??

Posted by: frisco-rigid on Sep 21, 05 3:17:29 am

admin · #3 05-23-2007, 03:22 PM

I run nothing but 20w50 in my 81 FX. Its a little differant than a 67, but you get the idea.

Posted by: Monterey on Oct 5, 05 11:44:12 pm

admin · #4 05-23-2007, 03:23 PM

If you still have hydrolic lifters I'd run the 20-50 they will work much better on cold starts.You could get some iol out of the breather if the bike sits for a long time.Just use a good grade of oil.

Posted by: antiemike on Oct 15, 05 12:25:16 pm

admin · #5 05-23-2007, 03:23 PM

I am riding Synthec 5-50 weight from Castrol(synthetics oil automotive) before that I was riding 20-50 grade fossil oil from castrol since a few years now in my pan shovel 67 ,and never had problem with oil consumption at all ( a liters for 4000 kms or more )and 12-15 psi hot idle in Canada with oil temparature dropping by around 50 degrees from fossil oil ,I know it is not as hot as in the lower state but we encounter 110+ fahrenheit some time in july or august,sure that I had made some modification in the engine to improve the leakage and closing the tolerance in the inside but I am very satisfied with the result and I don't think that I am gonna change anything from now.

Posted by: panshovel 67 on Oct 19, 05 11:54:25 am

admin · #6 05-23-2007, 03:24 PM

I run 20-50 in the Wyoming winter and stright 60 in the summer.

Posted by: jskclark on Dec 3, 05 11:18:44 am

admin · #7 05-23-2007, 03:24 PM

In the service manual for 1959-1969 it says;
"Use proper grade of oil for the lowest temperature expected before the next oil changeperiod as follows:
Use Harley -Davidson Oil use grade Air tmperature
(Cold starting
conditions)

Medium Heavy 75 Above 40F
Special Light 58 Below 40F
Regular Heavy 105 Severe operating
coniditions at high
air temperatures"
My thinking for '65 is good high single wieght oil SAE 50 or better, the Older designs do'nt have the tighter talerances the new machines have & I'm in no way smarter than the engineers that designed the machine.
Ride Free
Crash

Posted by: Crash on Dec 26, 05 11:29:35 am