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oil for a 88B

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by Deuce03, Mar 19, 2005.

  1. Deuce03

    Deuce03 New Member

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    I have heard so much about oil for the motor and honestly I am confused. Should I use Harley motor iol or should I get a good synthetic oil for an auotomobile.
    Thanks
    Deuce03, Mar 19, 2005
    #1
  3. bxbutch

    bxbutch New Member

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    harley motor oil is good there syn 3 oil is better & can be used in engine ,trans & primary mobil1 also makes a syn 3 as well as amsoil i use the harley syn3 i feel you dont want to skimp on lubes
    bxbutch, Mar 19, 2005
    #2
  4. fatboyvtwin

    fatboyvtwin New Member

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    What type of oil to use?. I think that question will be around for a long time. It fits in the same catagory as which seat is better?,,,what exhaust makes the bike run cooler, faster? I have researched which oils to use very extensively and have found that one pro says to use 20w 50w and the other expert says to use synthetic... I used to run 20w 50w for over 20 years and have always been faithful about changing my oils at 2,500 miles. Of all those years I have never seized a motor, overheated, or found metal shavings in the oil, other than normal wear. Last year I purchaesd a 2004 Road King Classic and dropped in a 95ci big bore kit, then put on V&H 2-into-1 pro pipes. And finally switched to Harley synthetic oil. Some say that synthetic oils are so thin and "slick" that the bearings don't spin, they actually sit there and produce a flat spot. I personally don't believe that is the case. After driving last year in Death Valley at 117degrees going 90miles an hour for 20 miles in that heat my engine oil never got above 170deg. The point I'm making is you will hear good and bad about both 20w 50w, and synthetic. You have to be the one to make the final choice. I can say that I have been happy so far with the performance of Harley's synthetic oil. But still say that Harley's 20w 50w oil would be sufficient if you stick with the book as far as when to change your oils. Ride Safe, David.
    fatboyvtwin, Mar 19, 2005
    #3
  5. Cracker

    Cracker New Member

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    If you change oil often the HD 20W50 fossel oil works fine. I can't see spending more for the synthetics, JMHO. I would not use motor oil in the trans!!! I know HD says you can use the syn3 in all holes, but have read alot of metal shavings being found on trans stick with syn3.

    I choose to use HD 20w50 for motor & change it every 1500~2000 miles, belray gear saver in the trans & change it every 5000 miles, HD primary oil in the primary change it every 5000 miles. My 2 cents. :D
    Cracker, Mar 19, 2005
    #4
  6. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Oil Thread Ugh LOL

    OK after 10 years of these and hearing all the BS by the uninformed enough information is available to disburse with the "bearing skate" or "flat spots" or "too slick" misstatements that have been rampant in the past.

    From all I've read, heard, experienced and just made up....

    1) Use the proper weight and viscosity/type oil and change it at the proper time and you'll be fine, so Dyno or Syn just change it when you should.
    2) Syn is not "slipperieryerer" it's the same viscosity as dyno, 20W-50 is 20W-50, however, Syn doesn't loose it's properties like dyno does over time and under the extreme heat that air cooled motors generate. So the reason it's better is it stays closer to the 20W-50 without degrading so it lubricates better.
    3) Syn3 may or may not be fine in the trans, heard a few issues of problems but nobodys proved it was a result of Syn3 probably more BS from uninformed individuals making an assumption that because the trans had Syn3 in it when it failed or they found problems that Syn3 was the cause. BTW the grading of oils between motor and gear oil is simply a different numerical formula so 50 motor is the same as 90 gear check this link for a comparison chart http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/visc.html
    4) If you think HD oil and Mobil 1 Vtwin is a marketing hype to raise the price of the oil to motorcycle (harley and BMW) because they typically spend more on things you're probably correct, BMW riders did a sample test of a lot of oils and the Mobil 1 red cap oil from Wally world for your car was almost exactly (we're talking differences in the parts per million) the same as Mobil 1 vtwin. I run the automotive mobil 1 and know tons of folks that do without issues.

    So run the right grade and change at the right time, buy what you feel is important, I will say that you should see a 20 degree temp reduction with syn over dyno as the syn continues to lubricate parts better and keep the motor cooler, which is a good thing because tc motors have bigger fins and shed a lot of heat right into your crotch LOL
    hotroadking, Mar 19, 2005
    #5
  7. Cracker

    Cracker New Member

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    AS FAR AS BS, INFORMED OR UNINFORMED INDIVIDUALS NO COMMENT. IF YOU STATE YOUR OPINION I'LL RESPECT IT AND WOULD APPRECIATE THE SAME IN RETURN. :mad: I SHARED WHAT WORKS FOR ME. THE BELRAY GEAR SAVER HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN MY TRANS SHIFTING AND BEING QUIET. IF YOU WANT TO USE SYN3 IN THE TRANS HAVE IT.
    Cracker, Mar 20, 2005
    #6
  8. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Cracker I wasn't taking a shot at you, or your thought process, my point was that a lot of people post they have "seen" problems in trans with syn3 on all the boards, HTT Preachers site etc probably the same threads we've both read. A lot of people pick this up and spread it even though they haven't seen it happen which is the same as the old wive tails on why synthetic is bad for your motor.

    Unbelieveable this AM on XM radio one of the car talk guys was telling a guy with an old motor he shouldn't use synthetic because it's thinner than dyno oil. He's one of the missinformers that just spread what they hear, not what they know.

    What we don't know about those purported failures is if they are related to the oil or abuse or previous oil in that no stock hd leaves the factory with Syn3. You have to remember there are a lot of "anti" harley product people out there and some will take any chance to bash a product.

    I have used the belray and it's not bad stuff, oil threads always deteriorate quickly maybe if we had synthetic boards they'd last longer :D


    BTW I found that the metal shavings decreased only when running Heavy Shockproof or AmsOil Synthetic gear oils in the trans, with the syn3, normal and belray the shavings were about the same for me. After replacing 3 speedo sensors I found I get to look at it quite a bit.
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2005
    hotroadking, Mar 21, 2005
    #7
  9. CD

    CD Guest

    Gawd I hate Oil Threads!!!!

    There are so many experts, so many urban legends and wive's tales and so much confusion. I do not remember a single year that some magazine has not done an oil article of some type. Yet, the controversy rolls on unabated.

    Let me throw in a little tid bit on the abilities of synthetic oils vs. dyno.

    Try using a dino oil in a gas turbine compressor or a J-79 sometime. They would coke up and fry in no time flat. The synthetics for jet engines were designed to meet the need for an oil that would endure the extreme demands and temperatures. In fact, the GTCP85 gas turbine has an air / oil bearing where oil and air support the rear of the turbine shaft and the temp in that area easily can exceed 1,000ยบ.

    The whole reason for the existence of Syn oil is need. We needed it for turbines, we need it to replace our consumption of fossil fuels. We do not have to use it in our engines but, as been said many, many times by true experts a synthetic is going to give you better protection, live longer, keep your oil cooler etc. No dino can make those claims.

    The funny thing is that it just simply boils down to choice. Revtech released a synthetic that has joined the party. Belray has Semisynth, Mobil, Quaker ad nauseum.

    Run what you feel is best for you. You do not have to justify your choices as they are yours to make. The oil debate will go on forever and long after we are gone, the future riders will be debating what oil to run in their hybrid H-D 0-5 or 0-15 all weather super synthetic.

    Here is something to read and digest. http://www.synlube.com/synthetic.htm
    Using the word "synthetic" means a whole lot more (and less) and has been around a lot longer than you might think.
    CD, Mar 21, 2005
    #8
  10. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Also if you want to ask and learn about oils a lot of petrochemicalengineertypes are on this site www.bobistheoilguy.com

    There is a motorcycle section, aircraft whatever you like.
    hotroadking, Mar 21, 2005
    #9
  11. Cracker

    Cracker New Member

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    HotRoadking,
    No problem, everyone has there 2 cents to offer!

    Have a great day...

    Ride SAFE Ride OFTEN :D
    Cracker, Mar 23, 2005
    #10

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