| Author | Message | ||
     Captainplanet |
Well, I am going to put synthetic oil in the XB this weekend. I already put the harley synthetic in my wife's blast and wow what a difference. Do any of you who have gone to synthetic have any opinions on the harley stuff versus other synthetics. I plan to do the motor and the gearbox. | ||
| Chainsaw |
I'm currently using Valvoline's 20W50 Synthetic. About $4.50 a quart. I've also used Harley's Syn3 at $8 per quart. I can't tell any difference. I've been using Mobil1 75w50 in the tranny for more than 5k. Seems to shift a bit smoother and the tranny is still intact.  | ||
| Brucelee |
Mobil One 15-50 in engine, 75-90 in the trans. Great stuff at good prices. | ||
| Buckinfubba |
Motul twin syn 20/50 in the whole thing , engine and tranny for 15k miles on the xb, 8k miles on the 98S1 and ams oil 20/50 in the totaled out m2 for 6k miles. | ||
| Stoobr2 |
Pardon my ignorance,and sorry for butting in,but is 75/90 ok for the trans on an XB ? I can get Amsoil 75/90 but I can't seem to get the equivalent in Mobil1 in the UK no one seems to stock it  So the last service (5K) I went with the standard HD primary oil,but I've noticed my local dealer as started stocking HD synthetic primary oil since I last paid a visit,would this be a btter option over/above the Amsoil ? Thanks in advance. | ||
| Skully |
Stoobr2, Any of the top brand synthetics are good. 75w-90 gear oil is the same viscosity as 20w-50 engine oil. That one threw me for a loop too. Keith | ||
| Freyke |
I've been running Mobil 1 15W-50 in both the engine and primary... I was using Redline Supershock Heavy, no real problems there but I have heard of some folks having "goo" buildup issues.... So I switched to the 15W-50 - I have to say it after about a week of runnig it the bike actally shifted easier... make sure you adjust your clutch and primary tension too... kk//kef | ||
| Xb9er |
Don't worry too much about the brand of oil (as long as it isn't HD oil  ). Just switch to synthetic as soon as you can. My personal preference is listed in my profile. | ||
| Stoobr2 |
Thanks for the replys Guys | ||
| Johnnyprocket |
check out ams oils website for some cool info in synthetic vs. petrol based. | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Anyone know about Royal Purple. I've heard plenty of scuttlebutt about it but is it an oil or an additive? In engine, trans, or both? I'm interested in giving it a try. Charles | ||
| Johnnyprocket |
excellent oil. we use it in our drag cars. Only thing is it is expensive. They have all the fluids you need but I don't believe they formulate for bikes. The dynos don't like and neither do viscoscity tests: go for Ams Oil in your bike. Want a simple, no brainer test? Take 2 fry pans, pour oil in one and the test oil in the other. Slowly bring the heat to engine operating temp. USE THERMOMETERS IN EACH PAN. Wait a period of time and SEE what happens, also roll the oil in the pan, you determine what you want in your engine real fast!!! | ||
| Captainkirk |
Now you got me thinking. I'm running H/D 20W50 in my M2. Has anyone ever had a BAD experience with a synth, and if so, what? For the record, my Harley service guy spent 10 minutes lecturing me on why I should ONLY run HD 20W50- something about aircooled motors and ballbearings. From what you guys are saying, sounds like he was trying to sell oil? | ||
| Dcmortalcoil |
Consier this, however. You may be voiding your warranty on you engine if you use "gear oil" in the tranny for XB bikes. | ||
| Brucelee |
HD used to lecture everyone on how bad synthetic oil was UNTIL they brought out their $8 a qt shit, which does not even have the APL designation on it. There attitude is "listen to us, we are HD!" What bullshit. Mobil One is the real deal and pretty affordable for a syn. | ||
| Xb9er |
Yeah, Brucelee is right on about HD. I also agree that Mobil 1 is the "real deal" The "It's going to void your warranty" line by HD is also a load of crap!!!(and probably illegal too) I mean, consider the typical source. I always thought it was called AMSOIL (one word), not Ams Oil. ??? edited by xb9er on February 15, 2004 | ||
| Kevinfromwebb |
I use the Mobil One myself, but I thought I read just the last week or so that Royal Purple had came out with a motorcycle specific oil... | ||
| Dcmortalcoil |
From what I've been hearing, gear lube seems to work in the tranny. But GEAR LUBE/OIL is not the equivalent of/replacement for MOTOR OIL/TRANSMISSION FLUID (which happens to be 20W50 motor oil). The issue is not with synthetic, but using a product that is intended for a different application. I have confirmed with AMSOIL directly - never to use gear lube in the XB transmission. Yes, they sell synthetic gear lube too. Before you use gear lube, you might consider weighing the benefit against the possibility that HD could legitimately void your warranty on the transmission/engine work if the gear lube ends up being the cause of the problem. | ||
| Brucelee |
If I recall correctly, the XB manual recommends either HD gear oil OR HD synthetic oil in the trans. Of course, like all HD oil products, the HD gear oil does not have normal markings on it like weight and API designations so who the hell can tell what is in the can? For what it is worth, I have been using the Mobile One gear oil. It look and pours like motor oil and in draining, looks identical to the engine oil. And, the trans has never shifted better. Much better than with the HD stock lube. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. Seems HD loves to void warranties. That is instructive. | ||
| Johnnyprocket |
Mobli 1 is definately great oil. Used it before we went to Royal Purple in our race motors. I would be using it in my XB if the ams oil wasn't cheaper and appears to be a tad better on viscoscity tests. We may try it on a test motor in the 9 sec./ alcohol car this year. The ams oil has an aircooled formula. | ||
| Trojan |
We have been using TORCO 5W/40 Synthetic in the engine and TORCO RTF (Racing Transmission Fluid) in the primary of our race XB all last year. Works great! | ||
| Ftd |
In the FWIW department Chuck Goldman, who is a chemical engineer and led the Mobil 1 synthetic motorcyle oil development, is also a motorcycle guy. He rides a hopped up Low Rider and uses: V-Twin 20W-50 in engine 75W-90 Gear oil in trans MX4T 10W-40 in primary FYI FTD | ||
| Xb9er |
Thanks Ftd. That's good to know. | ||
| Dcmortalcoil |
When recommending fluids, we need to make a distinction between bikes that use only two reservoirs (1)engine and 2) tranny/primary combined) like XB, and bikes that use three separate reservoirs, like typical HD. Gear lube (75W-90) is indeed recommended in the tranny for those with three separate reservoirs. | ||
| Fullpower |
i am using amsoil 75w90 synthetic gearlube in my xb transmission, no problems to report. shifts real nice so far. | ||
| Fst_tyms |
I am currently using the syntech stuff from screaming eagle. I thought it was ok, untill I talked to my mechanic. He showed me some bulletin with synthetic oil comparisons. The screaming eagle stuff rated VERY low. Go for the Motul / Mobile one. Redline is good too. | ||
| S2pengy |
Motorcycle Consumer News did a blub in the issue that tested oil stating it is illegal for a manufacturer to threaten to void a warranty for oil brand.... | ||
| Xb9er |
Dcmortalcoil-- When recommending fluids, we need to make a distinction between bikes that use only two reservoirs (1)engine and (2) tranny/primary combined like XB, and bikes that use three separate reservoirs, like typical HD Yes, you are right. I think that is the reason a lot of folks started putting gear oil in the XB, probably advice from HD riders. They figured it worked for the trans in the bikes with 3 reservoirs and the XB bikes obviously have a trans, so why not? The whole issue could have been avoided if HD had divulged the composition of SportTrans fluid. Since that is as hard as turning a lump of coal into a diamond with bare hands (I know, I tried and never got an answer from HD  ), people that didn't want to use SportTrans used available information to make an educated decision about what fluid to use. At 1000 miles I switched from HD SportTrans to Mobil 1 MX4T 10W-40 in my XB9R just to try it out. Very noticeable difference in smoothness of shifts. Never had any problems with it. Now I am trying 75W-90 Mobil 1 gear oil to compare. After that I will try Mobil 1 20W-50 for V-Twins. If it works as good as the MX4T and gear oil, I will stick to it so I only have to purchase one kind of lubricant for both crankcase and primary/trans. | ||
| Opto |
I'm running Mobil 1 V-Twin all-round in the XB12, just started doing it 200 miles so far, not much to report only a slight difference in tranny shifting. Bike has 2600 miles on it. Been running Harley oils. Did some research, now to try it out. Xb9er, you must nearly be an expert or leading experimenter in this field by now!? | ||
| Opto |
The Mobil 1 V-twin oil was developed as far as I can see for large and small Jap V-twins sharing the same oil for engine/primary/clutch and tranny. With 1800cc Jap V-twins in production I can't see this oil not being able to keep an XB happy I've been wrong before though... | ||
| Bullen |
Whatabout the text in the users manual, "if HD oil is not available use an oil certified for Diesel engines. DIESEL ENGINES???? | ||
| Brucelee |
Well, any quality oil will have the diesel API symbol, ie, CD, CF etc. Certainly M1 and Red Line have that. |
