Im sure there are posts here about what type of oil you’re using, I couldn't find one.
my 2002 Road King 1550 calls for 50W, being as I live and ride in the high desert
in So Cal. Temps hit between 60° - 110°. I don't ride if it’s hotter than that.
Ive always used Aeroshell 50W, even in my old shovelhead. I like it because it’s made
for air cooled aircraft engines, and Ive never had an oil caused issue with my motors.
I know they suggest multi visc synthetics now but never tried them. I see they are more
expensive then Aeroshells $10/qt. I see some at over $16/qt. Are they worth it?
Or just hype. What type you using?

 

Valvoline VR1 20W-50 non-synthetic. Amazon regularly have it on sale for less than $30 for 5qt. Very thick for 50 grade, have extra ZDDP but deadly for catalytic converters. Castrol GTX Classic is pretty same.

 

I live in the Central Sierra's and I've ridden in San Bernardino county at 121*, commuted every day to Fresno in 110*, and I'm headed into Needles for 111* on Thursday to start yet another 5 week cross country trip. 152,000 miles in just the last 6 years on my 14 SGS using only Mobil 1 20w-50 V-Twin Synthetic at $10 per quart online at Walmart the whole time. I use it as well in my 85,000 mile 03 RKC, and the old 2017 RK that had 35,000 on it when I traded it in, in fact, in every bike I owned over the last 15 years............ no issues and you can find it at any auto parts store, (more $$), or Walmart.

 

I just might try that 20-50 synthetic. I have to remove my oil filter to replace my crank position sensor.
I will just do an early oil and filter change while Im at it. Thanks.
I remember back in the day when 30W oil was it. They didnt have anything else. Lol.
now I have a Jeep Renegade that uses 0w-20.

 

Funniest post ever.....

 

I love a good oil thread...

I know so may folks use Rotella diesel oil but I never gave much thought to airplane oil. The Aeroshell website I see has lots of options, not sure how I would feel using airplane oil but not saying I would't. I never owned a airplane and would require me learning a bit about how a Harley and flying may differ?

Part of me would say if its been working in your 2002 bike this long, why change?

I would think you being in "the high desert" may change a few things that many of us riding in a less hostile environment can't simply do with normal dealer 20w-50? I wonder if perhaps you may have already figured out your best oil option?

My 1997 EVO with cam ticked bad the one time I changed to synthetic, was Mobil 1 V-Twin 20w-50, I tried that oil early in its life, that oil lasted about 15 miles and I had a tic at every stop light. I changed back to mineral and now only mineral oil and the tic has never returned. As a general rule I don't use synthetic in anything old.

My choice in my older Harley EVO is Bel-Ray V-Twin mineral 20w-50 but I think I may consider using straight 50w too if my temp was 110 outside, However, it would all depend on how easy does your bike start at 60F with your straight 50w oil?

Many or most will say Synthetic is best for high temps but I personally prefer the less top end noise I believe I get using mineral oil in a V-Twin, be it my old EVO or New M8. Many will argue but I would never change to Synthetic on a 2002 bike thats been running straight dino 50W oil the last 22 +/- years but that just me. If it ain't broke don't fix it comes to mind with you running airplane oil.

 

That says all you need to know.

 

 

We really need a new sub-topic section:
Boomer Threads

 

Yeah that dry heat is nothing compared to the same in the south. That was the hardest transition for me coming from SoCal most of my life.

But to get back on topic, my '13 King has been on 20-50 synth all its life. She likes it.