| Author | Message | ||
     Schmitty |
This is my first air cooled engine, and I've heard they can be hard on oil do to the heat. I'm wondering what has given the best results for you guys in the engine and primary. I was thinking of using the Harley-Davidson Syn3 in both. Is this a wise choice? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks, Schmitty | ||
| Drift |
Something that doesn't taste too bad. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Congratulations Smitty, You got yourself a great bike from a very enthusiastic dealer: it just doesn't get any better than that. Before our beloved Administrator chimes in, I'll take the liberty of directing you to the Knowledge Vault section of this site, where the oil question, as well as every other imaginable topic, has been discussed at the greatest possible length. Bottom line on oil: if Appleton is going to do, use the Harley Syn after your first change. Lot's of cheapskate do it your selfers, just go down to Walmarts and pic up some Mobil One, 15W50 for the engine, 75W90 gear oil for the primary. If you are planning on twisting your own wrenches, the first thing you really want to do is get a shop manual and parts book from Dave S. Welcome to the club  | ||
| Chadhargis |
This is pretty good reading. Not touting it as fact, but something to think about: http://www.nordicgroup.us/oil.htm | ||
| Glitch |
Some people are like Slinkies, not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.  | ||
| Rhost |
"Lot's of cheapskate do it your selfers, just go down to Walmarts and pic up some Mobil One, 15W50 for the engine, 75W90 gear oil for the primary" Cheapskates? it cost me almost $50 for 4 quarts of Mobile1 15w50, 1 qt of 75w90 and a M-103 filter. If thats cheap, Id hate to see what expensive was. | ||
| Glitch |
Id hate to see what expensive was. Call your local HD&Buell dealer and ask them how much an oil change is. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I've always been a big Redline Oil fan. Has anyone tried this? http://www.redlineoil.com/products_motoroil.asp?pvID=108&prodID=45&subcatID=14 Seems interesting that Redline has a 20W60 "HD" oil for "American V-Twin" motorcycle engines. Humm...wonder what the "HD" might stand for....ah yes....heavy duty!  (Message edited by chadhargis on January 19, 2006) | ||
| Glitch |
I've not tried their motor oil. But I'm happy with their gear oil. It's easier to find around here than Mobil1.  | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Amsoil for V Twins | ||
| Djkaplan |
"Lot's of cheapskate do it your selfers, just go down to Walmarts and pic up some Mobil One, 15W50 for the engine, 75W90 gear oil for the primary." I do this, but not because I am a cheapskate (that's actually a bold-faced lie). | ||
| Chadhargis |
You should give the Redline Shockproof gear oil a shot. That's good monkey jizz! | ||
| Nasty73z |
If you go to O'Reilys they normally stock Mobil-1 20w-50 V-twin and it's like $7.99 a quart. Grab three of those and a $8.99 bottle of Mobil-1 75w-90 gear oil and a Wix 51394 and you should be outta there for less than $40 bucks. | ||
| Scoobytwo |
I also use the Mobil 1 20-50 v-twin and the Mobil 1 75-90 gearoil. I could actually feel a difference in the way the bike ran. The only choice for me. One other point to consider is you can buy it out side of bankers hours. | ||
| Odinbueller |
Welcome Schmitty! You are going to find that everyone has an opinion on which oil to use. As long as you use any H-D oil, you have the backing of The Motor Company behind you, and any warranty or extended service plan you may have will remain unaffected. I personally use Syn3, have no reason to switch to anything else. If you switch to Syn3, you may notice increased valve train & gear noise, but your engine will have no cold weather starting problems due to the thinner consistency, shifting & clutch engagement will be greatly improved as well. IMHO anyway. | ||
| Mountainrider |
I use Amsoil for air cooled V-Twins. | ||
| Duff24 |
I really like the Amsoil V-Twin oil, even after using Mobil-1. Haven't tried the gear oil in the primary yet, but may give it a shot next oil change. Kinda hard to find Amsoil anywhere, even online!! | ||
| Thansesxb9rs |
Royal Purple, it costs about the same as Mobile 1. | ||
| Mountainrider |
If the Syn3 will work in the primary looks to me like the Amsoil should to. I paid a small fee to Amsoil and buy everything wholesale. Since I use it in all my vehicles it is worth it and if anyone wants to buy any I can sell it to them. If you want to buy some let me know. | ||
| Smoothrod |
Mobile 1 V-twin 20w50 | ||
| Dana P. |
I use the blue stuff.  Kidd'n aside I use HD Syn3 treats me good and it has as others have said improved shifting and cooling some. | ||
| Buelldyno_guy |
Our Race Team is sponsored by Red Line, and we recommend their 20-60 V Twin in the engine and 75-90 in the Clutch and Transmission. Caution there are several RL Shock Proof Oils and they all have various amounts clay as a shocking agent. Heavy Shock Proof is Red Lines oil of choice for H-D Twin Cam transmissions, but it should not be used in Sporster or Buell clutch and transmission. As the clutch spins it slings the oil out but the clay gets packed up inside the clutch. Fireman Jim and I are doing some testing with RL on our Bonneville race bikes. Due to the short runs and low temperatures we are using a mixture of RL Extra Light Shock Proof and RL Light Weight Gear Oil mixed 50 - 50, but we change it after every meet. Our AFM F4 Road Race bike will test that mixture also, but it also is changed every race and the clutch inspected. Now having said all that "I don't think you can go wrong with any good name brand Synthetic' ... Terry | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Probably gonna get crap for this, but I use Walmart Supertech 20W50. It is 5.49 per gallon. It is SM rated. I don't abuse my Buells, or race them. And at that price you can change it as often as you want, which is really is the most important thing. I use Mobil 1 75W90 in the primary. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Hey JLB that wal-mart oil is made by a major manufacturer, just re-labeled for wal-mart. as long as you are happy with it I don't see where you can get crap for it. I prefer synthetics myself, but that's all it is, a preference. People can and do create artificial drama about the silliest things, but this shouldn't be one of them. | ||
| Brucelee |
Mobil One 15W-50 | ||
| Jkhawaii |
redline 20W-50 and 75-90 havent tried there 20-60 but given the fact that redline is thicker than the harley stuff already and dose not thin out with use like the HD oil I think the 20-50 is good in fact depending on what my next oil analysis says I may go to the redline 10w-40 | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Diablobrian - I was just steeling myself for a potential flaming. People get touchy this time of year.  | ||
| Mountainrider |
Check this info from Amsoil out. https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/mcv.aspx | ||
| Ryker77 |
supertech oil filters are the same as Bosch. I use a mobil1 filter only becuase it looks "pretty" on my tuber. For oil I am currently using valvoline full syn 20w50. Next oil change will be Amsoil. | ||
| Skyguy |
Catsrol 20/50 for the engine Harley Davidson 75/90 gear oil. I ride lots of miles and a few road trips a year and I like to use something I can get at most auto parts stores. |
