1. After 20+ years it's time to pass the torch. If you are interested in acquiring this forum please contact support@cv-performance.com for details. Any spam will be reported and blocked.
  2. Welcome to Bike Talk, a forum for all bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts. If you are new to Bike Talk, be sure to register for free and join the conversation.

    There's always someone around willing to help out with questions or give a friendly wave back. All Harley and metric riders are welcome.

Harley Oil, Any Good?

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by HellBoy, Nov 9, 2009.

  1. HellBoy

    HellBoy New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2008
    Messages:
    706
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    NYC
    HRK, Chuck, thanks so much. I was wondering about storage, and did think starting it for ten minutes once every couple of weekends would have been good. I'm glad I know better now. I'll pass along the stuff the pipes trick to my friends.
  2. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2008
    Messages:
    3,861
    Likes Received:
    102
    Location:
    Cape Breton NS,Canada
    What HRK and chuck said is proper way to prep for storage, then once it's shut down leave it down,unless you can get out for a ride long enuf to get it up to temp and boil off all the condensation in the engine ,tranny and primary. If you take the battery out, do not store it on concrete.
    Heh, but my avatar isn't quite as hot as chuck's or FLHTBiker's.
  3. cardboard

    cardboard Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2007
    Messages:
    11,459
    Likes Received:
    56
    Location:
    Lake Livingston, Tx.
  4. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2005
    Messages:
    12,545
    Likes Received:
    10
    didnt know you were mixin your oil with your gas...............
  5. HellBoy

    HellBoy New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2008
    Messages:
    706
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    NYC
    Thanks for the link Cardboard. Is that really recommended for bikes? Sounds like a good idea, but is there a catch somewhere? Otherwise it seems the amped up STA BIL would be promoted towards motorcycles.

    Another winter storage question; what's the best level of gas in the tank?
  6. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2004
    Messages:
    18,516
    Likes Received:
    252
    Location:
    Oregon
    Its a good recommendation with any motors being winterized or stored over the winter, including a lawn mower.


    As stated previously in an above post by hotroadking fill it up that means full.
  7. HellBoy

    HellBoy New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2008
    Messages:
    706
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    NYC
    I missed that, thanks FLHT.
  8. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2005
    Messages:
    12,545
    Likes Received:
    10
    i have used the red with good results.....
  9. 1988flhtc in nfld

    1988flhtc in nfld New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2008
    Messages:
    70
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    newfoundland, canada
    hellboy you must be pissed ,havent you been havin trouble with the bike all season. you had some mech work early this season ? with some dealer troubles? bummer.got my wheels stored in my reckroom, cold and snow here. nice today though wishin i was ridin.
  10. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2004
    Messages:
    18,516
    Likes Received:
    252
    Location:
    Oregon
    Not bad here today for a Winter day. So went for a ride felt good after all the rain this past week.
  11. HellBoy

    HellBoy New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2008
    Messages:
    706
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    NYC
    At least most of the work was done just before or at the beginning of the riding season, so it wasn't too bad. Still, I pay $230 month just to store my bike, so any down time stings. That first snow always makes me feel the let down of not being able to ride. Time will pass I guess..

    I'll probably waste time buying some Harley gear I don't really need. It's rained every weekend for a month here, today is clearing up and I've got a date, so it's on with the two up seat and off into the sunset!
  12. cardboard

    cardboard Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2007
    Messages:
    11,459
    Likes Received:
    56
    Location:
    Lake Livingston, Tx.
    YOu know some Harley Dealerships will let you store yer bike at their dealership!
  13. Tomflhrci98

    Tomflhrci98 Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2004
    Messages:
    1,169
    Likes Received:
    17
    Location:
    So. Cal.
    I got 75K on my clutch and it started to slip the other day. I decided to lubricate the clutch cable and presto the clutch don't slip any more. :D

    I decided it was also a good idea to lubricate my throttle cables and presto my engine runs better - snappier throttle response and I think I picked up 10 HP. :D
  14. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2004
    Messages:
    18,516
    Likes Received:
    252
    Location:
    Oregon
    That is expensive can you fit it into your living room.
  15. cardboard

    cardboard Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2007
    Messages:
    11,459
    Likes Received:
    56
    Location:
    Lake Livingston, Tx.
    Look at yer manual, its regular maintenance !:D
  16. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2004
    Messages:
    18,516
    Likes Received:
    252
    Location:
    Oregon
    :rolleyes: Here is another twist on oil.


    from the Shell answer man.


    Can heavy-duty diesel oil be used in motorcycles?


    Motorcycle gasoline engines may not seem in the same league as the big displacement diesel engine under your hood, but they share some of the same lubrication requirements. So yes, in many cases, a premium heavy-duty universal oil capable of serving both diesel and gasoline engines is the best choice for your bike.

    The high power-to-displacement ratio of a motorcycle engine means rod and main bearings are subjected to loads that are not normally found in passenger car engines. The valve train is also highly loaded, and requires extreme pressure boundary lubrication. The same can be said about gears in the transmission, which are normally lubricated by engine oil. Oil additives containing phosphorus protect these highly loaded extreme pressure areas (in both gasoline and diesel engines). Because diesel engines have higher loading of components, more of the phosphorus-containing additive is present than in typical passenger car oils. And with advanced catalyst systems for gasoline engines, the phosphorus content has been declining in passenger car oils.

    Since many bike engines are air-cooled, and tend to be operated at high power outputs and speeds, their lubricating oil needs to be more resistant to high temperature oxidation. That?s another advantage of a premium universal oil. Another thing you want in your motorcycle is oil that has excellent viscosity control, so that with use it retains high temperature viscosity. Some multiviscosity grade passenger car oils, subjected to extreme loads, can quickly thin out. Their viscosity can drop to the next lower grade.

    One last thing to consider is whether oil contains friction modifier additives. For improved fuel economy, most passenger car oils have such an additive. But the wet clutch in your bike doesn't perform right with friction modifiers. Universal engine oils don't have friction modifiers.

    Be careful choosing diesel oils. Not all of them are universal. In addition to the API Service Category CI-4 PLUS for diesels, look for API Service Category SL.

    Premium universal oils like Shell ROTELLA. T Multigrade are formulated for heavy-duty performance, and your bike engine has some heavy-duty challenges for oil. For optimum performance, be sure your oil is up to the challenge.
  17. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2005
    Messages:
    12,545
    Likes Received:
    10
    hmmmmm.. something to chew on.........
  18. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2004
    Messages:
    18,516
    Likes Received:
    252
    Location:
    Oregon
    I've read where Harley has said you can use Chevron Diesel oil when their oil was not available but to change it out when you can. Definitely something to think about.
  19. HellBoy

    HellBoy New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2008
    Messages:
    706
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    NYC
    Hmm, thanks. Does the Amsoil clutch oil have friction modifier additives? I have Red Line syn in there now. I have a few days to think about storage, and meanwhile, I'll probably let a highly recommended indy shop (Halo Cycles/NYC) do the oil changes and a few other things if Harley gives me any grief about not using their brand.
  20. cardboard

    cardboard Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2007
    Messages:
    11,459
    Likes Received:
    56
    Location:
    Lake Livingston, Tx.
    Got SE oil in my bike right now.

Share This Page