Thougts on oils Harley Oil & Lubrication Discuss Thougts on oils in the Harley Tech & Harley How-to forums; I havn't yet decided if I should use Mobil1 or Castrol for the engine.I'd like some imput as to what some of you guys use in your primary and trans.I,ve ...

[admin]

I havn't yet decided if I should use Mobil1 or Castrol for the engine.I'd like some imput as to what some of you guys use in your primary and trans.I,ve been following this message board for 2 months,and the knowledge is just fantastic that is out there.I thank you for your time.

Posted by: depotdude on Mar 31, 06 7:17:51 am

[admin]

Go to the "Question on lube combination" thread in tech dated feb 15 it may answer some of your questions. There are also other threads in tech that pertain to your question.

Posted by: mtyevo on Apr 1, 06 6:51:29 am

[admin]

After extensive reading on this subject I found that Mobil1 Synthedic is your best bet. It out preforms all other oils including Royal Purple.

Posted by: Stinkyiv on May 9, 06 8:40:37 am

[admin]

Amsoil, hands down. Been doing some reading up myself lately. Beats Mobil 1 and Royal Puple in just about every catagory and neither M1 or RP were #1 in any catagory.

Posted by: Majicbringer on May 9, 06 3:30:06 pm

[admin]

Check out this website: www.xlrator.com this guy has put some serious research into the Harley Oil question.
I use Mobil 1 in the engine and primary. I prefer to use gear oil in the tranny, though. Not sure why, just seems like the right thing to do. I did upgrade to Synthetic 80/90, so am not stuck completely in the old ways...
My last run to Laconia saw several rainy days where we kept riding, and I ended up with water in the tranny. Took several changes to get it cleared up. Doesn't seem to be any worse off. They are either tough tranny's or I got the right fluid in there.

Posted by: Tayes1 on May 9, 06 8:21:44 pm

[admin]

check out amsoil
i run it in my 02 road king and what a pleasure to have in my bike it keeps the bike oil temp cooler by 10 to 20 degrees cooler

Posted by: clem1414 on Nov 8, 06 10:47:51 am

[admin]

Use any good syn for the engine.

Amsoil, Mobil 1, RoyalPurple, Syn 3, etc.

Syns resist oxidation better and with hot running engines that is important.

Stick with minerals for the tranny and primary. No need to spend the extra cash there.

Avoid the use one in all 3 theory. After all, additive packages for gear oil are different than those in motor oil.

If you want to use the same oil in all 3 think about it first, it woon't hurt anything or else Harley woouldn't do it,. but what is BEST?

An engine need zinc and phosphorous (and other stuff) for anti wear under conditions.

A tranny needs pressure additives to cope with gear teeth and their loads.

2 seperate jobs.

And then the primary. Do you really want to use something really slippery in a wet clutch?

And yes, there are tackiness additives and slipperiness additives.

(Luber Engineer) (in training)

Posted by: BluesFan on Nov 8, 06 2:02:24 pm

[admin]

I am glad to see you check-in once in awhile BluesFan,, some actual facts from a Pro (in training), what a novel idea...

Posted by: frisco-rigid on Nov 9, 06 10:01:55 pm

[47knuck]

Curious if there is a significant difference in oil needs for the air cooled vs liquid cooled (V-Rod) Harley?

In my Harley knuck I don't even bother with synthetic oil as it would run right out of the bottom of the cases.

[BluesFan]

I can't think of anything off hand.

Not sure what the spec is for a V Rod though, Assuming it is for 20W-50 then it's gonna be the same because at those viscosities we don't have as much choice.