| Author |
Message |
    
Hugie03flhr
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 06:40 pm: | 
|
WOW! I called the prior owner (brother in law) to see if the trans was ever done. 8000 miles and he says "I don't think so, is it included in the 500 mile service " So I pulled the plug and it almost look like a mushroom with metal bits but I have seen worse. The oil looked metal flake paint in the sun light. Filled her to the bottom of the clutch pack and checked the primary while I was their. It was just about 3/4 inch play (cold)a little on the loose side for me but when I saw all the crap in the way I said its not that loose. Very short test drive and it seems good. |
Cbig
| | Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2008 - 09:25 am: |
|
There was some controversy a while back about using non Harley oil.. something about the GL_5 synth causing the resin holding the alternator wiring to dissolve. I stick with Harley. (x-1 files?) |
Scott_in_nh
| | Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2008 - 11:42 am: |
|
There was some controversy a while back about using non Harley oil..
It had nothing to do with harley oil. The controversy was over the use of gear oil in the primary.
It does appear that stator failures were happening only on, or at least at a highly accelerated level on bikes that were using gear lube.
No one reported a failure if they used formula+ or engine oil as they do not contain the additive (sulfur) that was causing the issue. |
Djkaplan
| | Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2008 - 02:37 pm: |
|
Not one reported stator failure when using a non GL-5 rated oil? How do you know this?
I'm not arguing... I just want to know. |
Psycrow
| | Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2008 - 03:22 pm: |
|
I just did my spring oil change and I used a Synthetic GL-5 gear oil. Am I now at an increased risk of stator failure? |
Mmmi_grad
| | Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2008 - 07:48 pm: |
|
I bought up the sports trans fluid that got phased out last year. Ill stick with that. When that runs out i will use harley's replacement. Im not going to waste time and money on an alt. here. |
Scott_in_nh
| | Posted on Friday, May 02, 2008 - 09:24 am: |
|
Not one reported stator failure when using a non GL-5 rated oil? How do you know this?
It was probably late 2005 and/or early 2006 that there appeared to be a rash of stator failures and on a separate thread lots of discussion about what fluid to use in the primary.
It seemed that a lot of guys were using M1 gear oil.There were very heated discussions over whether this would hurt the yellow metals found in the primary.
Somebody put 2 and 2 together and asked "who has had a stator failure while using gear lube?" and there were many affirmative answers.
Then it was asked "who has had a stator failure but was not using gear lube?" and there were zero affirmative responses. |
Scott_in_nh
| | Posted on Friday, May 02, 2008 - 09:32 am: |
|
I just did my spring oil change and I used a Synthetic GL-5 gear oil. Am I now at an increased risk of stator failure?
Yes! Keep it simple and go with the most popular recommendations - Formula+, Mobil-1 V-twin 20w/50, Amsoil 20w/50.
Do not use "energy conserving" oils as they may cause clutch slippage.
I would change it at your soonest opportunity! |
Djkaplan
| | Posted on Friday, May 02, 2008 - 12:21 pm: |
|
Then it was asked "who has had a stator failure but was not using gear lube?" and there were zero affirmative responses.
Lets see if anyone responds to this thread...
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/358077.html?1209745093
Just curious to know. |
Sloppy
| | Posted on Friday, May 02, 2008 - 08:33 pm: |
|
Great synopsis Scott.
Let's clarify the "MODE" of failure when using GL-5 gear oils.
The specific mode of failure is the wire connection directly at the stator where the epoxy "glob" is. It is NOT the "cut wire at the plate" stator failure! GL-5 caused a specific failure mode where the wires would dissolve in this epoxy globe.
In addition, the GL-5 gear oil was specifically NOT RECOMMENDED by the OIL MFG in its use in this transmission! The only exception that I know of is REDLINE.
Hence, it is CRITICALLY important that if you are to stray from fluids recommended by HD, then you need to check with the OIL mfg. They will tell you exactly what to use. While some debate whether or not GL-5 gear oils can cause this type of stator failure, you can't debate that you should follow the oil mfg. recommendations...
Psyc: Unless it is "REDLINE" gear oil, I would immediately dump that gear oil and replace with what you have locally available -- I, and many others, use Mobil1 ENGINE oil (15-50) with great success.
(Message edited by sloppy on May 02, 2008) |
Scott_in_nh
| | Posted on Saturday, May 03, 2008 - 10:07 am: |
|
Thanks for the additional clarification Slop, I should have included more info.
PS looks like at least one failure with redline. May or may not be related, but why take the chance?
(Message edited by scott_in_nh on May 03, 2008) |
Ricksbuell
| | Posted on Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 11:56 pm: |
|
Our local harley dealer told me to use 20w- 50 synthetic oil the same thing i use in the engine . is this wrong? rick |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 09:03 am: |
|
Nope Rick, that works fine, and simplifies maintenance, particularly on the road. Just carry one extra bottle of 20w50 full syn and feed whatever hole is hungry.
True transmission oils can have additives that will resist breakdown from use in gearboxes that are *really* good. They can't be used in motor oil though as if they ever end up in your combustion chamber they leave really nasty deposits. So a Gear Oil can be optimized to be a better gear oil if you know ahead of time it will never be able to get into a cylinder.
So the Formula+ has these additives, and thats why it can go for 7000 or 10000 (or whatever insane interval they now recommend). Thats nice and saves money, but if you use normal 20w50 full synthetic, you can just change it at a shorter interval and you should be fine. They both work great before they break down... so just use whichever you want and replace it before it's dead.
(maybe 5000 miles? I'm not sure.) |
Ricksbuell
| | Posted on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 10:53 am: |
|
Thanks Reepicheep I'll keep it changed . thanks rick |
Psycrow
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 09:57 am: |
|
Looks like Im changing the Gear oil this weekend. I have no problem sticking with the Harley stuff but the closest Harley dealer is over 2 hrs away. I guess I'll go with te same Mobil 1 Synth I used in the engine. |
