Ok another question for the people out there
What oils are people out there useing in their Harley?
nobody
Since my bike is reasonably new I've got the stock HD oil in it but I've been doing a bit of reading about oils and it sounds to me like synthetic is the way to go. Don't know if you can get it here but Amsoil sounds good apparently it reduces top engine noise quite a bit and runs cooler as well. I'm almost due for my first service, 1200km's so far, I'll definately look at switching when I get it done. Although I was contemplating taking it to Peter Stevens Adelaide and I know they don't carry anything but the factory oil.
havent got my bike yet but i was going to use castrol rx super(truck n tracter oil) have seen the tappet cover taken off a falcon six with 250000kms on it .it looked like new no build up of slugde in motor they had used farm oil since it was new. i think all oils are pretty good i would stay away from supermarket brands.
All the new Harleys come from the factory with synthetic oil as standard fitment nowdays,But the syn3 HD oil is at the lower end of the quality as far as synthetic oil is concerned.I don't know of anyone that sells Amsoil here in Aust. as it is only sold by small independent suppliers.Harley dealers will always try and sell you syn3 but if you buy something elsewhere and take it with you when you get your service done ,they can't refuse to use it,even though some will try and tell you that if something happens to the engine that it won't be covered by warranty if they use anything else but genuine oil.Which is a load of rubbish,and a quick mention of the trade practices act usually has them change their tune.
its funny on other sites i have read syn oil is a no no but here its differnt i sopose we all have a diffrent opinon. with the rx super i was talking to a rep ebout the trucks he said they could run up to (i think) 30000km be for changing there oil i no they r trucks n they have the pedal to the metal and r on long runs so any crap in oil is burnt away but i thought it was interresting. how do u no it droped the temp by 25d?
I know it dropped the oil temp by 25deg because I had a temperature guage attached to my oil dipstick in my oil tank,and I know what it used to run at with the non synthetic oil compared to what it ran at using the synthetic oil.I worked in the Automotive industry for over 30 years and I know reps will tell you anything they think you want to hear.What I notice in you post is that "they said it COULD run up to 30,000km before changing the oil.I know of no large carrier trucking firms that would think of letting their trucks go anywhere near that long between oil changes,all the major truck manufacturers recommend oil changes be made between 5 and 10,000km maximum.It is particularly important with diesels as the oil is full of particulate matter very quickly,due to the combustion process,hence is why Diesel oil is black shortly after changing it.The ideas behind Synthetic oil use has changed over the years.Years ago we were alway taught never put synthetic oil into a new engine as it will cause the bores to glaze etc.And Harley Davidson was one of the biggest advocates of this practice.But these days with the latest technology lubricants,many manufacturers including Harley Davidson,Holden,Ferrari to name a few are recommending to use nothing but synthetic oils in their performance engines.The people that advocate not using syntheic oils are living in the past and are being overtaken by technology.The one place I would use mineral oil would be as a running in oil on a rebuilt engine.
I thought this was sopose to be about the oils we use or intend to use? where did it go off line with if i use mineral oil im going back 20 yrs? im not here to bullshit im here to learn not get some one eles opinoin jammed down my thoart.
Z-bikes on the sunshine coast QLD stocks Amsoil ph54377793
Hi When I was due to have my first service done I asked them to use Syn3. My reasons for this was that I could use the same oil in all 3 holes. The results were that the gear change was by far more smooth and less clunky. Oil temp may be down a bit as I changed my air temp gauge to a oil temp so I can keep a eye on it. Anyway I'm happy with it.... Ultra
I started using Amsoil after my first service and I think it is very good. The main reason I changed is that the 07 harley run a lot hotter than previous models due to engine running leaner etc. Reading up on synthetics made me realise that they are more heat tollerant and will last longer. I also changed gear box to Amsoil SG75/90 can't hear fith at all now ( V&H BSS had something to do with it as well LOL) I will still change oils at the required owners manual intervals.
Bob
Without trying to jam an opinion on oils down anyones throat,I have found that it is very hard to beat REDLINE oil .It is one of only a handful of oils manufactured that will withstand the temperatures generated in a jet engine,and is approve by the aviation industry do do so.Redline Shockproof heavy is a fantastic oil in Harley transmissions,its consistency when you try and pour it is like treacle,you actually cant get it all off the sides of the container,I have left the container for over a month upside down and it still had the oil on it,that is how it sticks on the components in the box and gives great protection.It is thick to pour but it works like an 85 weight gear oil.I also use Redline MTL in the primary,it works well and doesn't cause any slipping of the clutch.Once again this is just my opinion based on many miles on my bikes.The only problem with REDLINE oil is the price,it is very expensive.
I think the perception of engine noise comes down to what you are used to.All Harleys have some degree of top end noise.Heck if your Harley doesn't make any strange engine noise,you need to learn how to START it
Glad to see that I am not the only one here that appreciates quality and is prepared to pay for it.But of course that is only your opinion and I happen to agree with it,and not trying to ram it down anyone elses throats
Ok got my 1st service done today,didn't end up useing Redline oils this time,went with Belray oils in all 3 holes and I must say that I am most impressed.The gearbox is much quieter and definately shifts smoother than before,which after seeing the crap that Harley put in gearboxes I would expect it to be quieter,the engine is also quieter and along with the Fuel Pak I also fitted the engine is definately cooler.I did a lot of technical checking of the Belray oils before I went in this direction,including emails to Belray asking tech questions about their products,which I got prompt replies for,so overall at this stage I am happy.
Hi nobody, I hear good things about belray, did you go full synthetic or a blend?
one more noise in the gearbox when crusing in 5 gear?
I went with the Full synthetic. The noise in 5th gear is still there but at a much reduced level.Can't compare the Belray gear oil to what I compare the benchmark (REDLINE SHOCKPROOF HEAVY) as I haven't tried the Redline in this bike,but I will get around to it at some time.
