I wanted to quell the valve "ticking" noise a bit, so I tried 25W-60 dino oil...switchin from Mob 1 20W-50.

It sounds like I put 30W or something. The valve noise is much mor prominent then with the 20W-50 Synth.

Anyone else have this experience?

 

Nope, exactly the opposite: synthetics of any make make my valve train sound like marbles in a coffee can...that's funny we would have exactly the opposite experience! I have been running dino for 80k with zero issues and noises except the normal rocker arm side slop that causes a tick at a certain rpm.

 

Yeah me too except Im running a single weight dino and its quiet at higher RPMs and tick noise from front cylinder when idle.....what kinda dino oil did you put in it?

 

I run HD 360 20w-50 in the winter and HD straight 50 weight in the summer. The 50 weight is quieter when the motor gets hot for sure but once the outside temps start hitting the 60 degree and lower mark I switch back to 20w-50. I have thought about other conventional oils but the 3 times or so I change a year is not a big deal considering I'll save about $6 or $7 bucks a change. I have been using HD 360 in two bikes over 80k with no issues at all so I have no motivation to switch.

 

At what engine temperature can you hear the marbles noise?
When automotive lubricants reach 300°F (HTHS ref point) it is reported they provide very similar viscosities and only proper additives can then make a difference. Unfortunately, examples don't mention which multigrade 'breaks' before another.

 

Just for the record, I use the Mobil 1 15W50 and don't have any extra ordinary noise, certainly no ticking from the valve train. Rocker noise I have is best described as a small block chevy when you put a screwdriver to the valve cover as a "stethoscope". Obviously not as loud though, that style noise. Used some RP 20W50 synthetic and don't see any difference between the 2.

 

The manual says you can use 50w with temps as low as 60 degrees, and 60w with temps as low a 80 degrees. Not to get into an oil pissing contest, I would use a 50w that can handle the punishment of an air cooled engine your likely to find it does make a noise difference. Individual results will vary.

 

Hard to beat good ole Mobil 1 V-Twin 20-50w for your motor in price and performance.

 

I have to agree. Been using Mob 1 20w-50 until now and the "noise" seemed quieter. As soon as I fired it up with the 25w-60 dino oil, the ticking was just louder.
I used Drag Specialties 25w60 BTW. $6.95 qt.

 

i run lucas 50w vtwin oil. much better than 20w50 . i run it all yr with no issues