Synthetic oil
#51
I stressed about this for my first 1000 miles because I knew an oil change was coming up. In the end I just threw a qt of formula+ in there that I bought from the dealer when I picked up my bike. From doing a ton of reading I've decided to stay away from the gear oil and just go with formula+ or the V-Twin syn or Amsoil in both holes when it comes up again.
There are 18 million threads on oil, pick one. You can't go wrong by sticking to the MoCo recommendation.
There are 18 million threads on oil, pick one. You can't go wrong by sticking to the MoCo recommendation.
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#53
#55
#56
- We should not use automotive oil (due to the additives?). Please expand
- we should not use any type of oils with friction modifiers in their formula (does that prevent us from using any kind of motorcycle engine oil in the trans??)
- we should not use oil that states is a "Energy Conserving" oil. Please elaborate
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- we should not use any type of oils with friction modifiers in their formula (does that prevent us from using any kind of motorcycle engine oil in the trans??)
- we should not use oil that states is a "Energy Conserving" oil. Please elaborate
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Unlike Harleys, most motorcycles have wet clutches and transmission gears sharing the same oil. Mobil 1 motorcycle oil, and every motorcycle oil I can think of, is designed to be safe in a wet clutches and in transmission gears at the same time, and they do not have any friction modifiers that need to be avoided. So yes, any motorcycle engine oil of the proper weight should be safe in the trans.
Last edited by hig4s; 11-11-2011 at 03:17 PM.
#59
#60
Here is the Harley Davidson - Amsoil chart (http://www.amsoil.com/products/stree...oil_chart.aspx ) that shows the recommendation for all HD engine types/Engine-Trans-Primary ... in our case in particular (Ironheads / Evolution Sportsters) the same oil is recommended for both engine / primary+ transmission (Amsoil MCV Motorcycle Oil), also in that page there is Cross Reference table that indicates that Amsoil MCV 20W-50 is a direct replacement for HD Formula Plus (HD Part #: 99851-05):
Link to MCV 20W-50 Details: http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/mcv.aspx
Excerpt from that page:
"APPLICATIONS
AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil is recommended for air or liquid cooled 4-stroke engines. It meets SAE 90, API GL-1 gear oil requirements and is recommended for transmissions and primary chaincases. AMSOIL MCV is recommended for Harley Davidson®, Buell®, KTM, Ducati®, Aprilia®, BMW®, Triumph® and other motorcycles where 15W-50 or 20W-50 engine oils or SAE 90, GL-1 gear oils are used. Not recommended where an API GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil is required."
So.. it seems clear that Amsoil MCV 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil is safe for use in Sportster's engines / Primary+Transmission..
This is from Royal Purple's website (source: http://royalpurple.com/faqs-motorcycle.html ):
What oil do you recommend for Harley Davidson motorcycles?
For Evolution and Twin Cam motors, Royal Purple’s Max-Cycle 20W50 is recommended. For Sportsters and Buell motorcycles, Royal Purple’s Max-Cycle 10W40 may be used. Check your owner’s manual for verification or contact Royal Purple’s Automotive Technical Department at 888-382-6300.
What do you recommend for the primary tank and transmission?
Royal Purple Max-Cycle 10W30, 10W40 or 20W50 motor oil may be used in the primary tank. For transmissions, Royal Purple recommends Max-Cycle 20W50 or Max-Gear 75W90. NOTE: DO NOT use Max-Gear lubricants in the primary.
Many of us have been using Gear Oil in the Primary (Mobil 1 75W90, Royal Purple Max Gear, etc)... it is clear to me that this is a mistake... opinions?
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Link to MCV 20W-50 Details: http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/mcv.aspx
Excerpt from that page:
"APPLICATIONS
AMSOIL Synthetic 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil is recommended for air or liquid cooled 4-stroke engines. It meets SAE 90, API GL-1 gear oil requirements and is recommended for transmissions and primary chaincases. AMSOIL MCV is recommended for Harley Davidson®, Buell®, KTM, Ducati®, Aprilia®, BMW®, Triumph® and other motorcycles where 15W-50 or 20W-50 engine oils or SAE 90, GL-1 gear oils are used. Not recommended where an API GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil is required."
So.. it seems clear that Amsoil MCV 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil is safe for use in Sportster's engines / Primary+Transmission..
This is from Royal Purple's website (source: http://royalpurple.com/faqs-motorcycle.html ):
What oil do you recommend for Harley Davidson motorcycles?
For Evolution and Twin Cam motors, Royal Purple’s Max-Cycle 20W50 is recommended. For Sportsters and Buell motorcycles, Royal Purple’s Max-Cycle 10W40 may be used. Check your owner’s manual for verification or contact Royal Purple’s Automotive Technical Department at 888-382-6300.
What do you recommend for the primary tank and transmission?
Royal Purple Max-Cycle 10W30, 10W40 or 20W50 motor oil may be used in the primary tank. For transmissions, Royal Purple recommends Max-Cycle 20W50 or Max-Gear 75W90. NOTE: DO NOT use Max-Gear lubricants in the primary.
Many of us have been using Gear Oil in the Primary (Mobil 1 75W90, Royal Purple Max Gear, etc)... it is clear to me that this is a mistake... opinions?
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Last edited by joebotics; 11-14-2011 at 02:40 PM.