Today I told by brother in law I was doing a oil change on my bike and I picked up some 20w50 Lucas synthetic.. He told me to take it back and to only run straight 50w and just let the bike warm up abit longer, and that the straight 50w will be better for the motor ect.. he explained some things to me over my head about the differences between the 2. Now i live in michigan and it can dip in temps here.. what do you guys thing

 

I wouldn't take your brothers advice if I were in your shoes.

 

50W is good only if your weather temps don't fall below 60 degrees.

 

I run 50w in the Spring and Fall, 60w in the summer, but that's in my 56 Pan, and 36 Flathead.

Straight weight is fine for Flatheads, Knucks, Pans, and early Shovels, but anything newer, go with 20w50.

 

I ride in the Palm Spirngs area all the time, I have a 98 Electra Gluide with EVO EFI. I run 20W50 all the time, I also run a bit of Lucas oil stabilizer. Since these motors use roller bearings when they are very hot they have a hard time keeping oil pressure at idel. I have found that with Lucas it will run 10 PSI when extremely hot at idel. I also maintain 38 PSI when running down the hwy. I would not recommend 50WT oil. The multi grades oil provide much better protection. Syn oils are much better that they resist heat much better than regular oil. BTW I am a certified Master Automotive Technician and do all of my own work on my bike.

 

I'm leaving next week for a 3000 mile ride. I just changed my oil and added a qt of Valvoline VR1 50w to my mix of 15w-50 syn. Might not make much of a difference but sure won't hurt on freeway rides/hot temps. On a side note, it did quiet down the top end a tad, at least psychologically

 

I wouldn't run single viscosity oil in a Twin Cam unless I was in the desert SW in the summer. Michigan summers are too cool for that.

 

Not a good idea to mix multi grade oils with straight oils. You have to understand how oil works on the molecule level. Having different oils can cause the oil to fight itself. you may have higher oil pressure but you will have less protection.

 

I agree 100% with that statement.

 

20W-50 is a 50W oil with additives to flow like a 20W on cooler days. So there is no reason to run straight 50W.