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Already asked question, Oil???

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by Hogdog, Apr 24, 2014.

  1. Hogdog

    Hogdog Active Member

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    I am sure this has been asked before, just need an update. My Ultra needs an oil change and I am done with high priced HD service. Suzy is a 2009 model, with 18k miles. I'm against syntheic (can't spell it!!!), HD is too expensive, whats a good alternative?
  2. Fatboy128

    Fatboy128 Well-Known Member

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    Oh nooooo! Here we go again! Get ready hogdog for all the opinions.
    It's in owners manual. 20-50w made for Diesel engines if I remember right it needs an SJ rating


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  3. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    Yep and change it often.
  4. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Just buy non synthetic v-twin air cooled oil, you don't want to run
    good old car oil, it doesn't have all the stuff an air cooled engine requires
    i don't care if jimmyjack wannabe shadetree wrench tells you he's run his bastardized 74 shovelpanevo.


    BTW not to start an oil pissing contest but 2009 engines have tighter tollerence
    fit of parts, and needs to lubricate fast, a multi grade 20W-50 is best and a synthetic like Mobil 1 Vtwin is one of the best oils bike will run cooler with synthetic, but nothing wrong with old dyno oils. The whole bike takes 6 qts
  5. Sleepy

    Sleepy Well-Known Member

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    I guess just about any diesel rated oil will fit the bill. Depending upon where you ride will determine the viscosity you select. I do have to ask though, what is the issue with synthetic oil.
  6. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    here's the thing, HD's oil prices unless your dealer is jacking them way up, generally are close to what you'll pay on the street for vtwin air cooled oil.

    Amsoil, Mobil1 V-twin, Castrol etc it's all around $10 a qt for Syn, about $5
    for dyno.

    So all you are going to save is the cost of the labor, which is a good penny, changing oil is simple, get the correct wrench for the filter, and you can get a chrome or black filter if you want to go even cheaper on the change, who really looks at the filter ans says "holy crap without that chrome filter that bike would look like crap but that filter really sets the design off!" LOL

    basically you'll save the labor costs... and know it's done properly.
  7. Hogdog

    Hogdog Active Member

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    I remember a while back a huge discussion about what oil to use and at the risk of opening a can of worms I asked. I'm not interested (or can afford) the fancy stuff, just a basic oil weight and rating. Thanks to everyone for that. BTW my owners manual says to "bring it to your local dealer for service", lol
  8. Hogdog

    Hogdog Active Member

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    One issue with synthetic is if you have an investment in petroleum you may want to avoid it!!!
  9. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Well my thought on oils and harleys is that you have a $20K machine so whats $20 when putting the best oil in for your engine, and since Im in a hot climate, whatever cools it down helps.

    The cost of 4 qts of synthetic is $11 a qt or $44,
    The same 4 qts of Valvoline 20W-50 dyno v-twin oil is $6.30 a qt or $25.20
    Sso you save $18 a change
    So you basically save bucks to pay for a filter from Fram
    a PH6065 in Chrome is $12, a black Fram filter PH6022 is $7.

    LIke I said you'll basically be saving the labor.

    Now if you need to do the trans and primary you don't want to run plain ol motor oil in them, you need either a gear oil, or a motor oil designed to go in all three places, Mobil 1 Vtwin is designed to work in the trans and primary.
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  10. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    For over the counter oil I to vote for Mobile 1 SYN especially in the later model bikes. I used to buy it at Auto Zone and it was under 10.00 a bottle. I do run a gear oil in the Tranny just feel its better. Use a Dyno oil that is designated for a V-Twinin in your bike but just change it at the recommended intervals (as with all oils) and it should be OK.
  11. Hogdog

    Hogdog Active Member

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    Learned a lot about the synthetic oils in this article,

    http://post610.org/truth_about_motorcycle_oils.htm

    Check it out

    Hotrod King makes a an impressive cost analysis between regular ole petroleum oil and the synthetics. Between this and what I learned in the above mentioned article guess I will fill er up with synthetic oil and a new filter.

    The article is kinda long and I felt worth the time.
    Last edited: Apr 24, 2014
  12. Fatboy128

    Fatboy128 Well-Known Member

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    I use Redline Syn in crankcase and primary. Belray Gear Saver gear oil in trams.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
  13. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    You can learn a lot about more than oil here its a great place. Deciding to go with SYN oil is a wise decision your bike will appreciate it. Like I stated in a previous post you don't have to buy it at a HD dealer. I have not bought oil in a dealer for years and like many here I change my own. I do however buy HD filters.
    Welcome to the forum if I haven't said it before. HRK, does have a lot of good info as others here.
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  14. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Wix makes hd filters use a little google-fu to find them for as little as $5
  15. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    Yep,
    WIX - Oil Filter
    Part Number: 57348
    O'Reilly auto parts
  16. Fatboy128

    Fatboy128 Well-Known Member

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    +1


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  17. Hogdog

    Hogdog Active Member

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    I discovered this forum back in '06 because I got tired of pushing Earnestine to get her started. I was then and still is today my main source of help for my girls. Soon you will be hearing a lot from me, Earnestine needs to be restored. She is a '89 ultra, one of the first ultra's built by HD. This is what being a biker is all about, we stick together and love our bikes.
  18. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Take plenty of pictures of the process, not only for us LOL
    but you can catalog the progress, see where shidt goes, nice thing
    about pictures, sometimes better than a manual...
  19. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    My older brother had a 89 also and rode it for many miles.
  20. Hogdog

    Hogdog Active Member

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    Heck yea, worked for me. Suzy's got a load of synthetic and a new filter. Its great, that terrible grinding noise coming from her engine isn't there anymore. I'm sold on synthetics!!!
  21. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

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    Just out of curiosity what brand did you put in Suzy

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