| Author | Message | ||
     General_ulysses |
I know motor oil is a subject beat to absolute death on any and all motorsport forums. Not trying to start another endless thread filled with contrasting opinions sold as absolute fact. But I would be interested in hearing from high mileage Buellers who have not burned their engines up, what type of motor oil and trans oil they use. Presently I use Harley Formula+ for the trans and Amsoil for the motor. But I recently had a chat with a guy that used Rotella 20-50W which is a very heavy duty dino oil used in air cooled diesels used in construction equipment. It's a lot cheaper than Amsoil and I have a fleet of motorcycles which I don't put many miles on each season, so I was wondering if it might be sensible to switch. | ||
| Harleyelf |
Do you race? Take extended high-speed trips? Run two miles and then shut the motor down several times a day? Your use determines the necessary oil. I've been using Mobil 1 synthetic 20W-50W ever since I put it in the CHP bikes I serviced in California back in the day. All weights of Rotella have additives to deal with the particulate matter spewed into the oil by diesel and aircraft motors. Go to Amazon and do a search for 20-50 motorcycle oil to bargain shop. | ||
| General_ulysses |
No racing, no extended high speed trips, no short trips for 2 miles several times a day. Just "spirited" town driving and work commutes. Oil and engine come to full temperature every time. | ||
| Harleyelf |
Happy oil, happy bike. You will be fine with anything that meets the SAE specs in your owner's handbook. I don't remember exactly who, but some pilot told me years ago that Rotella is not suitable for long-term use in Harleys. Lots of good dino oil out there made for motorcycles. Just remember never to mix dino oil and Castrol. Forms tarry lumps. Synthetic mixes well with either but they do not play well with each other. | ||
| Williamscottrobertson |
Best I have found for the the money is the quicksilver 20w50 synthetic v twin oil at Walmart in both the engine and primary. Runs about $25/gal and truth be told it's probably bottled by one of the big name brands. I've run quicksilver in my two and four strokes, marine and road bikes with good results. I have over 5 bikes and the only one I run special oil in is my kawi turbo. I run penn green oil in it. Quiets the tappets up with the extra ZDDP. Same can be done with diesel oil and some ZDDP additive from the auto parts store. I used to run straight 30w diesel in my 60s hondas with the additive. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I typically run castrol non-synth 20-50 with "formula plus" in the tranny. I change oil, filter and tranny every 5000. It needs a half a quart between changes typically. 91,000 miles on it stock top end. Leaks everything though  | ||
| Pontlee77 |
I use castrol semi synthetic 15/50 and in the primary formula plus. I will never use syn3 of Harley the bike was in 5000 kilometres it chewed 1 quart, with the Castrol it doesent chew it at all, I don’t need to check it. | ||
| Steveford |
Mobil 1 15/50 everywhere, Purolator filter. | ||
| Milar |
>You will be fine with anything that meets the SAE specs in your owner's handbook.  I might add I run Mobil 20-50 Synth. But I'm finding it harder and harder to find motorcycle weight oils. Auto parts stores are all going to the 0/30 or light weight stuff for gas mileage. | ||
| Steveford |
You can get a gallon of Mobil 1 15/50 at Wally World (Wal-Mart) for around $23. I stock up during the Summer months. | ||
| Sportyeric |
Got 100,000 miles on my 95 S2. Currently using 15-40 diesel. Mostly use whatever 20-50 was on sale. | ||
| Lynrd |
I use oil in all my motorcycles. I also use it in my car and van. I believe that not running oil may cause some engine wear. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
>>I believe that not running oil may cause some engine wear. The silver dust can be used for glitter for your holiday crafts! | ||
| Hootowl |
Ah, glitter. The herpes of crafting supplies. | ||
| Jim00x1 |
Buellistic was a big fan of SYN3 in both engine and trans and had over 110k and said the heads had never been off. |
