20W50 In All (3) Holes
#11
10-24-2007 | 03:22 PM
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 241
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
RE: 20W50 In All (3) Holes
Has anyone gotten their motor to 250 k miles without having to rebuild it? how about the trans? if changing oil often is that beneficial we should be seeing this post filled with testimonials.the old saying "if it aint broke dont fix it" doesn't apply here, it more like if it aint broke, screw with it til it is!!!!!!!!
#13
10-29-2007 | 03:47 AM
RE: 20W50 In All (3) Holes
I appreciate this has been done to death, but I kinda like oil threads, so here goes.
Any oil we use is a compromise, there is no perfect oil. Some oils will always have more of one addetive than another, and all the top oils do a good job. Some will hold viscosity better than others, some maintain a lower flashpoint, some have more detergent, some provide a little better wear protection non start-up, some at higher running temps, etc., etc. I'm sure you get the idea.
Now most jap, and european bikes have the gears, clutch and engine in the same compartment and have by design to run on one oil. They do this very well and run up some high number miles without problem, but they are subject to even more compromise than HD's because there is no choice.
HD's have the benifit of running engine, gears, and clutch in seperate compartments and each area has different requirements. If we choose to use a different and more task orientated oil in each compartment we can work with less compromise. For example gears dont have to worry about extreem high temps but have other problems to deal with like the shear forces and high pressures generated between the gear wheels. The engine has less sheer to worry about but has to deal with contaminates, extreem heat, etc. The Primary has issues regarding friction addetives, and extreems of heat and pressure are not such a big issue.
Look at it like this, you are working on a construction site, would you choose a different hammer for each area of operation, or would you have a carpenter use a 14lb hammer to drop nails just because you have another guy breaking up concrete with a 14lb hammer. Yes it will do the job, but its a pretty big compromise.
So back to oil. Yes it will do the job, and if you choose the right oil it may do the job well in all three holes. But if you look at what is required in each area and choose a specific oil for the task in hand, it will do even better.
Once you get down to individual oil producers, there really isnt much to choose between them, no matter what any of us say. I doubt you would find much difference between Amsoil, RedLine or Mobil, if you compare like product with like. Even a good dino will give you big miles on your ride, but you will have to change it more often, and if you get stuck in traffic the dino will not stand up like syn oils, the dino wont do a lot of things as well as syn oils, but it is perfectly serviceable and many use it without problem, just not me.
WB
Any oil we use is a compromise, there is no perfect oil. Some oils will always have more of one addetive than another, and all the top oils do a good job. Some will hold viscosity better than others, some maintain a lower flashpoint, some have more detergent, some provide a little better wear protection non start-up, some at higher running temps, etc., etc. I'm sure you get the idea.
Now most jap, and european bikes have the gears, clutch and engine in the same compartment and have by design to run on one oil. They do this very well and run up some high number miles without problem, but they are subject to even more compromise than HD's because there is no choice.
HD's have the benifit of running engine, gears, and clutch in seperate compartments and each area has different requirements. If we choose to use a different and more task orientated oil in each compartment we can work with less compromise. For example gears dont have to worry about extreem high temps but have other problems to deal with like the shear forces and high pressures generated between the gear wheels. The engine has less sheer to worry about but has to deal with contaminates, extreem heat, etc. The Primary has issues regarding friction addetives, and extreems of heat and pressure are not such a big issue.
Look at it like this, you are working on a construction site, would you choose a different hammer for each area of operation, or would you have a carpenter use a 14lb hammer to drop nails just because you have another guy breaking up concrete with a 14lb hammer. Yes it will do the job, but its a pretty big compromise.
So back to oil. Yes it will do the job, and if you choose the right oil it may do the job well in all three holes. But if you look at what is required in each area and choose a specific oil for the task in hand, it will do even better.
Once you get down to individual oil producers, there really isnt much to choose between them, no matter what any of us say. I doubt you would find much difference between Amsoil, RedLine or Mobil, if you compare like product with like. Even a good dino will give you big miles on your ride, but you will have to change it more often, and if you get stuck in traffic the dino will not stand up like syn oils, the dino wont do a lot of things as well as syn oils, but it is perfectly serviceable and many use it without problem, just not me.
WB
#14
10-29-2007 | 04:00 AM
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,068
Likes: 0
From: North East
RE: 20W50 In All (3) Holes
ORIGINAL: WildBill2566
I appreciate this has been done to death, but I kinda like oil threads, so here goes.
Any oil we use is a compromise, there is no perfect oil. Some oils will always have more of one addetive than another, and all the top oils do a good job. Some will hold viscosity better than others, some maintain a lower flashpoint, some have more detergent, some provide a little better wear protection non start-up, some at higher running temps, etc., etc. I'm sure you get the idea.
Now most jap, and european bikes have the gears, clutch and engine in the same compartment and have by design to run on one oil. They do this very well and run up some high number miles without problem, but they are subject to even more compromise than HD's because there is no choice.
HD's have the benifit of running engine, gears, and clutch in seperate compartments and each area has different requirements. If we choose to use a different and more task orientated oil in each compartment we can work with less compromise. For example gears dont have to worry about extreem high temps but have other problems to deal with like the shear forces and high pressures generated between the gear wheels. The engine has less sheer to worry about but has to deal with contaminates, extreem heat, etc. The Primary has issues regarding friction addetives, and extreems of heat and pressure are not such a big issue.
Look at it like this, you are working on a construction site, would you choose a different hammer for each area of operation, or would you have a carpenter use a 14lb hammer to drop nails just because you have another guy breaking up concrete with a 14lb hammer. Yes it will do the job, but its a pretty big compromise.
So back to oil. Yes it will do the job, and if you choose the right oil it may do the job well in all three holes. But if you look at what is required in each area and choose a specific oil for the task in hand, it will do even better.
Once you get down to individual oil producers, there really isnt much to choose between them, no matter what any of us say. I doubt you would find much difference between Amsoil, RedLine or Mobil, if you compare like product with like. Even a good dino will give you big miles on your ride, but you will have to change it more often, and if you get stuck in traffic the dino will not stand up like syn oils, the dino wont do a lot of things as well as syn oils, but it is perfectly serviceable and many use it without problem, just not me.
WB
I appreciate this has been done to death, but I kinda like oil threads, so here goes.
Any oil we use is a compromise, there is no perfect oil. Some oils will always have more of one addetive than another, and all the top oils do a good job. Some will hold viscosity better than others, some maintain a lower flashpoint, some have more detergent, some provide a little better wear protection non start-up, some at higher running temps, etc., etc. I'm sure you get the idea.
Now most jap, and european bikes have the gears, clutch and engine in the same compartment and have by design to run on one oil. They do this very well and run up some high number miles without problem, but they are subject to even more compromise than HD's because there is no choice.
HD's have the benifit of running engine, gears, and clutch in seperate compartments and each area has different requirements. If we choose to use a different and more task orientated oil in each compartment we can work with less compromise. For example gears dont have to worry about extreem high temps but have other problems to deal with like the shear forces and high pressures generated between the gear wheels. The engine has less sheer to worry about but has to deal with contaminates, extreem heat, etc. The Primary has issues regarding friction addetives, and extreems of heat and pressure are not such a big issue.
Look at it like this, you are working on a construction site, would you choose a different hammer for each area of operation, or would you have a carpenter use a 14lb hammer to drop nails just because you have another guy breaking up concrete with a 14lb hammer. Yes it will do the job, but its a pretty big compromise.
So back to oil. Yes it will do the job, and if you choose the right oil it may do the job well in all three holes. But if you look at what is required in each area and choose a specific oil for the task in hand, it will do even better.
Once you get down to individual oil producers, there really isnt much to choose between them, no matter what any of us say. I doubt you would find much difference between Amsoil, RedLine or Mobil, if you compare like product with like. Even a good dino will give you big miles on your ride, but you will have to change it more often, and if you get stuck in traffic the dino will not stand up like syn oils, the dino wont do a lot of things as well as syn oils, but it is perfectly serviceable and many use it without problem, just not me.
WB
#15
10-30-2007 | 05:09 PM
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 20W50 In All (3) Holes
I 'm the3rd owner of my 02 softail. previous owners took it to the dealer for all service. I plan to do my own service, I have no local shop. It has 27000mi.
I would like to run syn. motor oil, ATF in the pri., and a good gear lube.
I have a local Wal-Mart and a NAPA, what would be my best bets??
mobil 1 20-50? dexron? any GL-5??
thanks in advance, Vince
I would like to run syn. motor oil, ATF in the pri., and a good gear lube.
I have a local Wal-Mart and a NAPA, what would be my best bets??
mobil 1 20-50? dexron? any GL-5??
thanks in advance, Vince
#17
10-30-2007 | 07:32 PM
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 278
From: Russellville, Arkansas
RE: 20W50 In All (3) Holes
ORIGINAL: Firetender
Mobil115/50 ($ 20.00 / 5 quarts, WalMart)in the engine and primary, and Mobil1 75w90 synthetic gear oil in the tranny. Why pay more?
Mobil115/50 ($ 20.00 / 5 quarts, WalMart)in the engine and primary, and Mobil1 75w90 synthetic gear oil in the tranny. Why pay more?
I still wouldn't use it in the primary though.....I consider Mobile Onetoo pricey to be put into the primary. I've used 15w40 for years in there.....but, currently it has some motorcraft ATF due to a leak I had.
Excellent choice of gear lube for your transmssion
#18
10-31-2007 | 09:47 AM
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 2
From:
RE: 20W50 In All (3) Holes
I let Harley make the decision for me. Back when I had my 05 EGlide, Syn3 in all 3 holes was the new Harley marketing scheme to sell the relatively new Syn3 oil. The sticker on the motor actually had something to say about Syn3 in all 3 holes. Fast forward to my trade for a 06 UltraClassic and lo and behold the owners manual and shop manual now suggest Formula Plus in the primary and transmission. Harley doesn't say you can't run 20W50 everywhere, but the shop manual now actually specifies the heavier Formula Plus gear oil in the primary and transmission now. It may be another marketing scheme to sell Formula Plus, but it is cheaper by the quart than the Syn3.
I use Mobil 1 VTwin 20W50 in the motor, Formula Plus in the primary, and Mobil 1 75W90 synthetic gear oil in the transmission, a popular combination on the forum.
I use Mobil 1 VTwin 20W50 in the motor, Formula Plus in the primary, and Mobil 1 75W90 synthetic gear oil in the transmission, a popular combination on the forum.
