Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[huntnjim]

I recently changed to Amsoil and wanted to get others opinions on the best for our moded 110s. Steve at Fullsac and Doc down in Florida.... all the other people in  the know please express your opinions on what brand/type oil and why.

[Twolanerider]

Being that it's the engine's "personal lubricant" the decisions made can get very intimate.  What with all that stroking up and down and those piston like blows leading to eventual and (if you're lucky) repeated detonation, and this being a family site, I'd best stop here....

[huntnjim]

The reason I bring this up is.....recently I installed a super charger on my LS7 Z06 bringing the power up to 716 RWHP and 638 RWTQ. My tuner suggested to get away from the GM recommended Mobil1 Synthetic oil and go with Royal Purple or Amsoil. After much research I found several internal engine faliures running the OEM oil. I found less engine falures with an upgraded oil as described.

The 1000 mile service I had at my local HD dealership suggested Amsoil over the HD recommended SE oil. So I went with Amsoil. Now I know there is VTwin Tuners here that can chime in and help out with  oil recomendations and why.

[Twolanerider]

The reason I bring this up is.....recently I installed a super charger on my LS7 Z06 bringing the power up to 716 RWHP and 638 RWTQ. My tuner suggested to get away from the GM recommended Mobil1 Synthetic oil and go with Royal Purple or Amsoil. After much research I found several internal engine faliures running the OEM oil. I found less engine falures with an upgraded oil as described.

The 1000 mile service I had at my local HD dealership suggested Amsoil over the HD recommended SE oil. So I went with Amsoil. Now I know there is VTwin Tuners here that can chime in and help out with  oil recomendations and why.

Do a search on oil.  You'll find 78,254,682,246,111.6 threads on the topic.  None of which will agree with each other and all of which will offer no meaningful conclusion.  There is, unfortunately but realistically, nothing to be learned or gained from a new oil thread. 

[huntnjim]

Do a search on oil.  You'll find 78,254,682,246,111.6 threads on the topic.  None of which will agree with each other and all of which will offer no meaningful conclusion.  There is, unfortunately but realistically, nothing to be learned or gained from a new oil thread. 

Did the search..... as always.... and did not find the answers and recommendations with reasons.

[Twolanerider]

 did not find the answers and recommendations with reasons.

Yeap, that's what always comes from an oil thread. 

It's the other Willy (Shakespeare not Davidson) that really captured what comes from an attempt at an oil thread.  Act 5 Scene 5 of Macbeth anyone?

[grc]

Did the search..... as always.... and did not find the answers and recommendations with reasons.

That's due to a couple things.  One, most of what you will hear on the internet as well as at your friendly dealership or speed shop is strictly opinion, based on heresay and advertising hype.  There are very few petroleum engineers on these sites, and I've never found one working at a Harley dealership.  Two, there is remarkably little meaningful difference between top brands.  Use a name brand that meets all the engine manufacturer's requirements, in the recommended SAE grade.  For instance, use an oil meant for air cooled engines in your Harley, not some generic stuff found on the shelves of a discount store (Fred's Oil comes to mind).

While you might find all sorts of BS floating on the web blaming engine failures on brand X and recommending brand Y instead, you will be very hard pressed to find such information that is also backed with facts and test results from accredited labs that prove the failure was caused by oil failure.  Actual failures due to the oil are so rare that some oil brands provide gazillion mile warranties on your engine against failures caused by a failure of their oil.  It's an easy and cheap thing to guarantee, since they would very rarely ever have a claim, and it impresses the folks who don't know any better.

The best oil for your Harley is a synthetic multigrade formulated for use in an air cooled engine, in the appropriate SAE grade for your riding conditions.  Usually that would be 20w50, some use 20w60 in very hot climates.  Good brands include
Amsoil, Mobil 1 V-Twin, SYN 3 (believe it or not), etc.  I like to choose based on a combination of factors that include performance as rated in standardized industry tests, local availability, and price.  That criteria led me to choose Mobil 1 V-Twin a long time ago, and it remains my choice today.  If the rest of my Harley was half as good as the oil I would never have reason to complain.

Btw, I'd be very leery of anyone who tried to tell me Royal Purple was better than Mobil 1.  Opinions are like rectums, we all have one.  When that tuner or those guys on those big block V-8 forums start blowing smoke about oil brands, ask for proof.  Don't hold your breath waiting on the lab and engineering reports however.

Jerry

[Fired00d]

I recently changed to Amsoil and wanted to get others opinions on the best for our moded 110s. Steve at Fullsac and Doc down in Florida.... all the other people in  the know please express your opinions on what brand/type oil and why.

Sounds like you've decided on what brand (Amsoil) you want to use.... if viscosity is what you are questioning then I would suggest the viscosity that your owners manual recommends for the temp environment you will be riding your bike in.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[bmcgc]

This is the holy grail on oil.  I want royalties for this.

I have always changed my oil at the recommended intervals recommended by the manufacturer.

In over 38 years of operating four stroke engines, I have never had an oil related failure.

[HILLSIDECYCLE.COM]

Oil threads are usually good for at least 1 fight.
Scott

[prodrag1320]

your oil change intervals are alot more important than brand (pretty much).LUCAS is my choice,but amsoil,mobil 1 are very good oil.im sure ill hear alot over this,but IMO,royal purple & redline is junk

[huntnjim]

What Lucas oil are you using and reccomend for hiway?

[FLTR2008TRIKE]

Amsoil and Mobil 1 V twin rank as the top synthetic oils to use for your V twin.  The main thing to do is to change your oil regularly and use good fuel.

[Eagle Eye]

I tend to go with scientific data.

http://www.smartsynthetics.com/articles/api_comparative_motor_oil_testing.htm

Amsoil for my ride.

[Fullsac Performance]

Well, I can say with certainty, my exhaust building and tuning skills allow me no upper hand in choosing oil. I am not a chemist. I have no way to scientificly
analyse oil or make any educated decision beyond what any garage mechanic can conclude. Like everybody else, I watch what the pros use and go
with products I feel are adequate for my application.

I do believe we have three distinctly different oil requirements for the three oil cavities found in our Harleys

Primary:
Walmart Dextron ATF. The primary is basically a chain, a wet clutch and a poorly designed torsional shock absorber called a compensator. Looks a lot like
the transfer case in my Dodge 4X4 that also uses ATF. I change it every 2-3K.  The clutch drag and gearbox clunk is greatly reduced with ATF in the primary.

Gear box:
No brainer here. I use gear oil. synthetic 75-90. Any brand.

Engine oil.
Our Harleys see 300 degree oil temps all the time. Oil Break down from heat is real. Currently using Lubatech 20-50 V Twin.  http://www.latracingoils.com.
The list of real racing pros who use this product is pretty long. I have used Mobil One and Redline in the past with out issue.

Please don't weigh in on this too heavily. The best oil won't stop your crank from shifting, killing your oil pump, gauling your lifter and destroying your motor.
Its a Harley. There's luck involved.

Steve