| Author |
Message |
    
Al_lighton
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 09, 2011 - 02:37 pm: | 
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Formula+
I've used a lot of different oils in that cavity over the years. The worst was the original SportTrans, I don't have anything good to say about it.
I've used various gear oils, regular motor oil, Motorcycle motor oil, Red line Light shockproof, etc. There were some issues with some of them (clutch clip, particle packing, not great shifting performance, etc) and though anecdotal only, stator failures may have been related.
But I have no complaints at all with the Formula +. It shifts well and clutch hook up isn't an issue as it can be with some oils. Barnett had been saying that you shouldn't use it with their plates, but when I spoke with them about it, their only real complaint with it is that when cold, it's a bit "sticky", i.e., you can't pull in the clutch and roll a cold motorcycle with it, the plates stick together too much, and that generated complaints.
I don't think it is coincidence that the Formula+ was released in 2006, the same year that both helical gears in the tranny AND lighter clutch springs were both introduced. To some extent, these have conflicting requirements: the helical gears with their combination rolling/sliding mate want a slicker oil, the lighter force clutch spring wants a stickier oil.
When I bought the used XBRR a while back, after Buell was out of business, I was doing work in the primary (XBRRs are BRUTAL on the primary drive), and the service manual for it of course recommended HD syn3 for the engine oil, Formula+ for the primary. I pinged Erik at Erik Buell Racing, asked him that since he was now free of having to toe the corporate line on this, what primary oil would he recommend, and his answer was "Formula+". He indicated that clutch hookup on the XBRR was an issue, and that Formula+ really helps with that.
Sticky for the clutch is great, but if it was bad for the tranny or shifting, then it wouldn't be a good choice. But I've had no issues in that regard with it, so I stick with it. I haven't had a stator failure with it yet, but I also don't have 30K on a bike that has been running it. 25-30K and stator failures seem to go together...
And at least it doesn't stink to high heaven like the old SportTrans did. That stuff made you want to wretch, especially if you fried a stator with it in the cavity.
Al |
Etennuly
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 09, 2011 - 05:07 pm: |
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To back Al, I have 56,000 with Formula+. All is good.
To me it is one of those 'if it works well why change it' things. It has many jobs beyond lubrication and is proven to not cause problems with the stator and such. |
Schwara
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 09, 2011 - 05:43 pm: |
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Is it OK to go from Mobil 1 20w50 to Formula+ in the transmission ... any concerns or things to watch out for? Is Formula+ available in any local chain auto parts stores? Thanks. |
Etennuly
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 09, 2011 - 11:56 pm: |
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I have only seen it in HD stores. And there will be no problem switching from the Mobil 1, just drain it, clean your little magnet on the plug, check your 'o' ring, and install a quart of the Formula+.
I seldom remove the derby cover, less chance of having ugly screw holes. I use the primary chain window. Some say " well how do you check the level then?". That is easy.....It holds 1 quart.....put in 1 quart. |
Al_lighton
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 - 01:45 am: |
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I change my oil every 2500 miles, my primary fluid every 5000 miles. I think that's half the recommended service interval, but it's not like it takes much. For the engine, I'm not religious about brand, only that it is synthetic. At 2500 mile change intervals, I don't think any decent synthetic has broken down all that much.
But, I always adjust my clutch when I do the primary, which means that the clutch cover needs to come off at that interval regardless.
And if you remove a primary cover, it'll take a quart. If you merely drain it from the drain plug, it actually only takes 29-30 ounces to fill it. Some of the oil can't get to the drain plug unless you lay the bike down on it's right side.
Al |
Pontlee77
| | Posted on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 - 04:42 am: |
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Thanks Al for the info here in Spain the closest harley dealer is about 100 miles away, it may not seem much, but usually we ride close to that amount of miles on the mountain twisties, i spoke with a shop that is really god as mechanics for harleys specially carburated ones and they use Spectro oil, i still have a bottle of formula+ so i'll phone the dealer and if the have formula+ i think i'll have a long ride and get a a few bottles ( i do service 3 bikes and only one is mine), it's my hobby. |
Yamafreak
| | Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2011 - 10:20 am: |
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Amsoil 60w both holes. I love the stuff |
Electraglider_1997
| | Posted on Thursday, August 11, 2011 - 11:12 am: |
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I also just put in a full bottle of Formula+ through the primary tension inspection hole and don't bother to check the level. Naturally I look to make sure the bottle has the required 32 ounces. The manual says it holds 32 oz so that is what I dump in and don't worry about some level that is very hard to check anyways. It is very dark in there and nearly impossible to see the level in relation to the sprocket through the derby cover. 33,000+ miles on my 06 and no tranny problems yet. |
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