I just bought a 2022 Street Bob with the 114 engine. The dealer did the 3 hole oil change and said they only use 80W140 oil in the Primary now. They said Harley stipulates all newer Harleys use only the gear oil in primary.

I looked at the bottle and it is not even a full synthetic, it is a synthetic-blend. I am coming from a 2012 Fat Boy and a 2011 Heritage Classic, where I only used Amsoil Primary oil in the primary.

Anyone know why Harley made the change?

 

It was years ago. I have been running it since my 500 mile oil change and I love the stuff.

 

The 80W145 is a good move for the primary. HD made a wide choice when they moved to it. If you read up on why HD did it will ease your concerns.

Why is simple better lube for the Job. F+ was ok is is a 50w. 80W145 is more along the line of a 20/50 engine oil. It protects better at both cold and extreme temperatures. Keep in mind Engine oil and Lubes like 80W145 are measured in different ways. When same method is used the 80W145 and 20/50 come out pretty much the same.

 

So the factory has abandoned the SYN 3 in all 3 holes idea ?

 

Thats what my dealer said. They said you "can" use Syn3 20W50 in all three holes, but they wont do it, and they highly recommend you convert to gear oil for the transmission and primary.

 

One wonders what they said and refused to install when SYN 3 was the "approved" product

 

Is this recommendation for new and old bikes?

 

A good many years ago, the owners manuals took SYN3 off the #1 row for the transmission and primary. They put Formula + in its place. Now SYN3 was still the second choice.

In non filtered box, engineers recommend a non detergent oil.

I am sure there was a reason. Could be that SYNTHETIC is actually as thin as a 20W oil yet meets the 50 also. It also may tend to be too slick for the clutch considering how some race from one red light to another?

Could be it makes for a noise primary. Why Mobile 1 ATF use to not recommend their ATF in a Harley Primary.


My guess is a Harley dealership using 80W140 is just doing since they probably make more bottom line then using Formula +.

I have uses 80W140 full synthetic in both a Toyota 5 speed and a Hyundai Genesis manual transmission. Shifts great year round and both have over 100,000 miles on them.

I personally would not run in in older Harleys since it may have an EP additive and older Harleys have a bushing in primary and a coating on the shift dogs in the transmission.

 

I put it in my 14 Triglide before i traded it in and it shifted very smoothly. Getting ready to to a 2 hole change on my 21 and i'm putting it in it.

 

Looks like they make a better profit on it. So a normal change out of both the transmission and primary is going to cost $43.90 plus tax just for 2 quarts of the magic fluid.

80W/140 Heavy Synthetic Gear Oil, Quart $21.95

Formula + Transmission and Primary Chaincase Lubricant, Quart $12.49