Newbie with a mint 74 Harley Sportster
#1
Newbie with a mint 74 Harley Sportster
Hi Guys,</P>
My dad just gave me his 100% stock 1974 XLCH 1000 Sportster. It's got less than 7K miles on it and has been sitting in his garage for the past 25 years. He bought it from his brother's kid way back in the day and only rode it a few times. I'm just about done going thru it, cleaning it up and making it showroom new again. I've been buying all the '74 Harley literature I can find and I hope to be riding in the next fewweeks.</P>
I'm going to post thisquestion to the appropriate board (when I find it), but does anyone know what grade motor oil Ishould use. TheOwner's Manual calls forstraight75 weight, but man that's almostgrease!Should I be usinga newer multigrade? I called a few Harley dealers and they are clueless. Any help would be appreciated. </P>
Thanks,</P>
bob</P>
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#2
Newbie with a mint 74 Harley Sportster
It depends on what part of the country your in and the ambient temperature. The factory manual does call for 75 weight butI think that is a little extreme. Years ago my first bike was a 79 XLCH and I had good luck with an SAE 50 in the summer down here in Texas. The multi grade oils will find every escape path from your mill they can,not to mention those old friction disc wont last as long. A good idea is a shot of Marvel Mystery in the gas and oil for those old timers. Good luck and keep that old iron on the road.
#3
Newbie with a mint 74 Harley Sportster
I have a 75 Sporty, XLCH (1000) and live in Texas - which gets very hot in the summer - I have been using (HD recommends it) 50 wt engine oil -with no problems.</P>
In fact, you would be hard pressed to find any 75 wt .</P>
Also, I believe your 74 is perhaps the same set-up as my 75, and you might not have an oil filter on your bike - mine did not come with one either - so make sure you change the oil often . . .</P>
good riding . . .</P>