Have just put Amsoil or SYN 3 in all 3 holes, but was recently thinking about doing ATF. Have also heard of guys using lighter weight automotive oil, conventional even in theirs. What do you use?

 

Right now I am running Walmart Supertech synthetic 20-50 oil. I have run Amsoil in primary but figured it was a waste of money. After all it is a chain and clutch. I have run transmission fluid in my shovels with a closed primary. Have run 30 wt. oil. Remember. Back in the day the primary chain was lubed with the same oil that ran through the engine. A oil line ran into the back of the inner primary onto the chain and then that oil was scavanged back into the oil tank to run though the engine/primary endlessly or until the engine wore out. Which ever came first.
I always wondered what HD engineer came up with that idea?

 

I use Moblie 1 V-Twin 20/50 In all 3 holes. Dealer recomend it and they don't sell it. No probles so far and you can find it at some walmarts if not any auto parts store.

 

Redline primary oil.

 

re:Back in the day the primary chain was lubed with the same oil that ran through the engine. A oil line ran into the back of the inner primary onto the chain and then that oil was scavanged back into the oil tank to run though the engine/primary endlessly or until the engine wore out. Which ever came first.
I always wondered what HD engineer came up with that idea?

Seems to me I remember the oil was allowed to drip out of the primary on my "47 Knuckle giving rise to the "oil leaker" tag that Harleys had. How was the oil scavanged back?
Not trying to hijack just curious

 

Any oil used with a wet clutch should be rated for it.
Any of the synthetics should carry that rating but why would one put Wal-Mart crap in a bike worth 10-25 thousand dollars.
$14.99 for a quart of Amsoil is cheap if you consider how much per mile it actually boils down to.
An Amsoil replacement in all three holes is only $75 bucks.
The dealer gets $390.00 and uses their Syn3 garbage.
Do the math and don't skimp quality to save 2 dollars.

 

I was using Valvoline 20W50 MC oil. in my old Road Glide.It was only $3 something a qt.

 

Didn't the older HD's have a "chain oiler" as well that dripped engine oil on the final drive chain?

 

Running HD F+ because the synthetics I have tried made my clutch "grabby". Works just fine. Used to run Mobil Delvac (?) 15/40 diesel engine oil in the primary on my Wide Glide and it worked fine as well.

 

I use Mobil 1 synthetic ATF in the primary. No problems.