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Type of Oil for and EVO with 100,000 miles

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by Bigb, Jun 28, 2010.

  1. Bigb

    Bigb New Member

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    I just bought my first harley, it is a 97 road king, and has 100,000 miles on it, seems to run just fine, but im not sure what oil i should be using in it, i really dont know what kind of oil the previous owner used in it, im currently running a straight 50 in it, any advice would be great

    thanks
    Bigb, Jun 28, 2010
    #1
  3. JohnnyBiker

    JohnnyBiker Well-Known Member

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    Where do you live?
    JohnnyBiker, Jun 28, 2010
    #2
  4. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Run 20W-50 HD Dyno oil, dump the 50 weight, it's not necessary
    the 20W-50 starts as 20 to help startup and flow so more oil gets to more places
    faster, then turns to the same as a 50W as it gets hot.

    Vtwin based oils for air cooled engines are best because they have additives that help Air cooled engines and reduce wear

    Big debate rages on syn vs dyno, either will work, just change it at 5Kwith filter per the manual.

    Syn has advantages in that it doesn't break down at the lower temps that dyno breaks down, therefore it can work like it's supposed to longer, meaning it cleans better and lubricates like it was new, longer.

    That doesn't mean dyno doesn't work, it does, syn just works better.

    And no Synthetic isn't slipperyer or won't cause bearings to skate, or the sky to fall, it won't cause the bike to start to leak all the other wives tales..

    What can happen is that you have a base gasket leak already thats been plugged by sludge from the straight 50 wt over time, and then when you start using Syn you end up with a leak because Syn cleans up that sludge. JMO I prefer the Syn cleaning up the engine.

    JMO I prefer Mobil 1 Vtwin, it's one of the best as is Amsoil Redline, they are real synthetics, HD Syn3 is made by Citgo and is a semi-syn (not full syn)

    So for budgetary reasons, HD360 works fine
    IF you don't mind spending a bit more per qt go synthetic...
    hotroadking, Jun 28, 2010
    #3
  5. sarge7

    sarge7 New Member

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    I agree!!
    sarge7, Jun 28, 2010
    #4
  6. HarleysLR

    HarleysLR Active Member

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    53,000 plus mile on my 05 TC88 and have never used anything but Amsoil 20/50, wouldn't use anything else. Just got in from a 2,000 mile trip in temps over 100 and no problems with over heating.

    Attached Files:

    HarleysLR, Jun 28, 2010
    #5
  7. JohnnyBiker

    JohnnyBiker Well-Known Member

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    If I had a bike with that many miles on it, I would probably use the 20/50 also. this is what I am using now. Nice and thick. The only thing that I would have to do is that once it starts getting colder, as Minnesota does, I would go down to a thinner oil. things can be hard to start in MInnesota.
    JohnnyBiker, Jun 28, 2010
    #6
  8. Chrome

    Chrome New Member

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    I run with Mobil 1 VTwin 20/50 except in MayJune when I travel cross country thru desert conditions & triple digit temps...I use Biker Choice 60w. However, thinking of adding an oil cooler before next year.
    Chrome, Jun 28, 2010
    #7
  9. kenfuzed

    kenfuzed Administrator Staff Member

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    I run Amsoil 20w50 and have for years. Not a plug for that product, just stick with what I know and what has worked. If you have another favorite brand try to go with the 20/50 and synthetic. Not only does the synthetic run cooler and last longer, it doesn't wash up on anyone's beach.
    kenfuzed, Jun 29, 2010
    #8

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