dick...i better get busy decorating the garage and procuring a white scarf and pipe

 

I am a white scarf and pipe kinda guy, in both holes!

 

You may want to read that back and edit.

 

+1

 

tons of info thanks!

 

A word of caution about using Gear Oil in the primary, please read..

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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more detailed read about this issue here: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...hetic-oil.html
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I won't use gear oils because it's not necessary, costs a lot more, and has moly friction modifiers in it for limited slip differentials. That said, there are members here who have use them all along without issue.

Oh yea, another reason to AVOID gear oils is their incompatibility with yellow metals. Doesn't the clutch and stator use yellow metal rivets or something?

 

I buy the slippery stuff in the plastic bottles for mine. 30K and no problems yet.