| Author | Message | ||
     Adamd |
Ok, so in prep for my first service; I notice the chaincase oil needs to be changed as well. What do all you guys use for oil. Book says Harley oil... Maybe it's my ignorance, but I'm not too keen on using harley brand oil. Is it really better than say Aimsol or Mobil 1? I seriously doubt it. I wouldn't use Honda or Suzuki oil either, so it's nothing Harley related. Am I missing something? Are there special polymers in HArley oil that are Harley specific? Thanks! | ||
| Hughlysses |
Formula + is the recommended lube and I don't think anyone else (yet) markets a recommended replacement. It was supposedly developed specifically for use in conjunction with the new lighter-effort clutch used in the 06 and up Buells and Sportsters. I know what you're saying about balking at buying vehicle-brand lubricants, but it does seem to be really good oil. It only takes 1 quart. | ||
| Aeholton |
My first service after purchasing, the dealer put in SportTrans (I think that's what they call it). I had difficulty finding neutral and shifts seemed a little harder. I took it back and they put in the Formula+. All worked well afterward. I'm a believer in the stuff. | ||
| Terrible1one3 |
Sport trans is old school HD. Formula+ is their newer stuff and is good. Does it's job well. I use Bel Ray Gear saver in my old buell. Very good stuff. I'd say HD's Formula+ is what you should get and use, no reason not to use what appears to be so good. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Isn't "Harley" oil made by the low bidder? AMSOIL!!!! | ||
| Davo |
I use AMS oil 20w-50 MCV in both holes. I use it in the Buell, my XL and my big twin. It can also be used in the big twin tranny which means it meets specs for a 75w-90 oil but it is as thin as chicken soup regardless of the temperature. No friction modifiers and no clutch slippage! Just one humble opinion though. Any choice is good as long as you keep it fresh. | ||
| Crusty |
Isn't "Harley" oil made by the low bidder I don't believe that it is. There are probably better oils out there, but the Harley oil has been tested and proved to be acceptable. My FLHS had 125,000 miles on it when I sold it. The man who bought my '98 S3-T wanted to build up the motor. It had 60,000 miles on it, and cylinder wear wasn't even enough to warrant .005 over pistons. As I said, there are probably better oils out there, but there are worse oils out there, as well. Unless you are in the lubrication game, how are you going to know which is which? | ||
| Thunderbox |
The Formula+ is also specially formulated for the new Helical gear cuts in the Transmission. There is a lot more shear action in a helical gear than in a spur cut gear. I think the new lube is the best choice because of the extra shear load on the lubricant. It makes the trany shift nice also. It's not expensive and is available almost anywhere. | ||
| Fastfxrs |
Even if Formula+ primary lube was expensive, leaving it in for 10,000 miles is a good deal. I cheaped out on my first service and put in sport trans cause I had several bottles in the gargage. It shifted much harder than with the Formula+ that is now back in. | ||
| Paul56 |
The Buell website shows Harley Syn3 oil as an optional accessory. I got some today and will change it next week at 24k miles. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Harley Syn3 can be used in any lube hole on any Harley/Buell product: engine (XL or Big Twin), primary/trans (XL), primary case (big twin) and trans (big twin). I switched my S1W over last year, and I'd swear it shifts easier and runs cooler...and HD has authorized a 5k change interval for Syn3 without causing warranty problems (for those who, unlike me, are still under warranty). | ||
| Kip |
I use amsoil 20w50 in both.It is better than harleys syn3 and they say you can use syn3 in the buell tranny.Its full synthetic oil. | ||
| Josh_cox |
The argument over oils is always interesting to me, but here is my take on it: My original thoughts when Syn3 came out was that H-D knew that they had to warranty every bike that ran Syn3, a racing synthetic oil. Who would you rather trust, the company who doesn't care if you tear your engine up running their oil, or the company that will fully warranty your bike when using Syn3? Then we did research with our drag bike to find out. Amsoil produces the least power, Syn3 is second, Royal Purple is first (those were the three tested). Royal Purple is now used in the bike. Buell will not warranty aftermarket oils, though to use it at your own risk. You want your warranty for a street bike. We will begin selling Royal Purple online soon at a new site. Our race program will be promoting the new site also. Josh | ||
| Jmhinkle |
"Buell will not warranty aftermarket oils, though to use it at your own risk" If you are saying Buell will deny your warranty coverage for using another oil brand besides HD, then you are wrong. There are actually laws against do such a thing. Oils are made to meet an API rating and vehicle manufacturers say that an engine oil must meet this rating to be used. As long as the oil meets their recommened ratings, they cannot deny you warranty coverage based on brand. HD does not make oil and has no clue about the abilities of it. They just request a specific weight be put into HD labeled jugs and the lowest bidder wins. That way they can sell it at astronomical prices and make their HD (hundred dollars) on it. Formula+ sheer stability is is also far less that many other options out there. Around here, HD oil is only sold at HD dealers which also makes it the most expensive option and it is far from a good product. I can buy any brand of oil cheaper than HD and they are far superior products in any test. My tranny has been much happier with Amsoil MCV in it compared to the Formula+. My engine is happiest with Rotella Syn 5w-40 Diesel oil. 20w-50 of any brand is just far too thick to properly lubricate and cool the engine. After I see the results of my UOA on the 5w-40 Rotella, I will either stick with it or try the Redline 10w-40 that outperforms 50wt oils. (Message edited by jmhinkle on April 17, 2007) | ||
| Kip |
I agree with Jm that they have laws about almost any aftermarket product. Ive also seen tests done and yes sometimes other oils produce more power but not as good at protecting your engine,rust protection,thermal breakdown etc.I belive royal purple was one of the worst in a few independent tests. | ||
| Mesa_cityx |
I'm posting a UOA on 5w40 soon. Blackstone labs liked the results. | ||
| Thunderbox |
If you actually believe H-D sells lousy lubricants, why would you buy a bike from a company that doesn't give a dang about anything but profit. Maybe the engine bearings went to the lowest bidder also. Give your heads a shake. Some people have used H-D oil for 100000 miles and have had no problem. The oils of today are so much better than any lubricant was 15 years ago it isn't even funny. Keep it changed and use a good filter. You won't have any problems. | ||
| Crusty |
Thunderbox; you hit the nail on the head.  | ||
| Jmhinkle |
"If you actually believe H-D sells lousy lubricants, why would you buy a bike from a company that doesn't give a dang about anything but profit" I did't buy an HD. I bought a Buell. The engine is also no longer HD's. Buell has been doing there own for a few years now if you didn't know. Erik's Engineering philosophies and bike designs are far better than anything HD has ever thought up, let alone produced. That is why I bought and love my Buell, but it bothers me to no end that a bike as great as a Buell has to be associated with the HD way of life. I also didn't say HD made lousy oils, I said "HD does not make oil and has no clue about the abilities of it. They just request a specific weight be put into HD labeled jugs and the lowest bidder wins" and rebutted your comment of "It's not expensive and is available almost anywhere" with "Around here, HD oil is only sold at HD dealers which also makes it the most expensive option and it is far from a good product. I can buy any brand of oil cheaper than HD and they are far superior products in any test." In all fairness, and to be more specific, I did mean that Amsoil, Redline, Royal Purple, Shell Rotella and Mobil 1 are all cheaper than HD products in my area along with being easier to obtain and do outperform the HD labeled products all the time. "The oils of today are so much better than any lubricant was 15 years ago it isn't even funny. Keep it changed and use a good filter. You won't have any problems." I do agree completely, but do spend your money wisely. The most expensive isn't always the best and the cheapest is always the worst. | ||
| Thunderbox |
I am sure H-D knows a lot about oil. To say they don't indicates just how gullible some people are. I am sure that when a new lubricant is manufactured for a specific application as in the Transmission/primary drive on the XB series bikes the manufacturer knows something about the lubrication required. Saying they don't know anything, gives me an idea of what you don't know. I use different oils in the engine but nobody makes an oil specifically to compete with the Formula+ I think I will stick to it and enjoy the way my transmission shifts and performs. It also has a longer change interval which is an indication of the quality of the lubricant. Longer life less breakdown = better lubricant. Use what you want but in this case I would have to recommend the proper lub for the proper application. | ||
| Fastfxrs |
Josh-cox, you should read up on the Magnuson-Moss Act before you post anything more about warranty issues. Some people might actually believe what you post since you work at a dealership. Tim | ||
| Whitj |
Mobil 1 15/50 for both engine & pri. 12000 miles later & not an issue other than a cooler running bike. | ||
| Bobbuell1961 |
thunder box, maybe the bearings did go to the lowest bidder since 91 hd switched from torrington to ina inner cam bearings which have half the # of rollers, seen quite a few fail w/stock cams w/ aftermarket cams it almost a certinty. about a week ago i saw my first total inner bearing failure in a twin cam (also ina)once again taking out the crankcases | ||
| Thunderbox |
I don't know about those bearings Bob. If it is a common problem maybe they should look at a change. If it is that wide spread it is a hardware problem and not an oil related one. No oil in the world will stop wear on a faulty part. We had the same type of problems on our police vehicles. For 8 years no ball joint problem then suddenly every ball joint is wearing out. Supplier change up we think. | ||
| Hootis29 |
The biggest thing to watch for with non-Harley, or not specfic motorcycle oil, is the lack of detergeants. A lot of automotive oils have detergeants that with foam up in a dry sump style oil system. |
