Harley-Davidson engine oil?

[Cheesehead]

What do you folks use for engine oil in your Harley and why? For example the 80 cubic inch. Any synthetics or brands other than Harley?

Cheese

[camsdaddy]

Well I know alot of people that run a wide range of oils. I know people that swear by mobil 1, Syn3, etc. I wasnt sure what to use when I bought my bike and was talking to an old guy and ask him. At the time I was saying that I could run XYZ ? for .50 cheaper a qt or something like that and he said he runs HD 20w50 says he only changes his oil about 3 times a years and if the price matters he needs to sell his bikes. I would say that if I decided to switch to synthetic I would prob go MOBIL.  Oh yeah I just run plain ole HD 20w50.

[Hairtrigger]

Pick something that is easily cleaned up off concrete!

[Cheesehead]

Ouch!   :[

[GRIMJIM]

I usually just get the oil and filter at the dealer too, plus a shirt or two. That's what the hd is for, hundred dollars. Every time I go in that store I end up spending a hundred dollars.

[flintlock]

If you spend all that money on a Harley, put Harley oil in it....

[goodwrench6710]

I would suggest Mobil 1. I have a fiend that drag races on old 900 sportster that is bores & stoked (3 1/2" bore & a 5" stroke), it turns 7,500 rpm & holds together on Mobil 1!!!! It's no bull, he has an Autometer procomp tach with recall. It made a believer out of me.

[gypsyman]

Cheesehead, stick with the Harley brand. Tell ya what happened to me about 13-14 years ago. Bought a brand new 1991 Sport Glide.(now called the Road King) After a couple of years, tried to save a buck. Went to the local auto store and picked up some 20w/50 oil, and a friend had given me a cross reference number for an oil filter.(Fram I believe) Got home, changed oil and filter. Day or 2 later I was heading over to a buddy's house, and cranked it on getting on the expressway. When I got to his house, he seen an oil drip under the bike. Now I was use to that with my '66 shovel, but not with the new one. Come to find out, the oil filter wasn't up to the oil pressure that the bike had, and restricted the oil flow, to the point that it leaked out of a couple fittings. Had to retighten the fittings, and go back to the stock filter. Didn't happen again, as I always used factory stuff. Might get by with a different oil, but definetly double check on the filter.-gypsyman

[goodwrench6710]

I agree with gypsyman on the filter, use a Harley filter. I use AC delco filters on GM's, use Toyota filters on Toyotas, etc..... They design filters to meet the needs of their engines. As far as oil, if you decide to use synthetic oil, make sure you use something "like" Mobile 1 v-twin. Don't use automotive oil because they have friction modifiers that are really bad for wet clutches. Also if the engine is modified, the clutch might handle the increased power with conventional oil but with the increased lubricity the synthetic has it may slip. Yes I know alot of Harleys have dry clutches, if this is the case, then no worries about the clutch issue. You will notice an increase in the power & it with accelerate quicker on synthetic.

[hillbill]

ive been useing harley oil in my 97 electra glide for some time, in my area it is actually cheaper than what the independent shops are selling. however in the past ive used several different brands with good results. one thing i have changed is ive went to useing dextron in the primary case. i did this after noticeing some aftermarket primary oil i was useing was very hard to tell from dextron.ive used it a year or so now and cant really tell any difference.

[oldandslow]

I believe Mobil 1 has an oil specifically for Harleys.

[Slufoot]

I used HD oil for the first 10K on my Wide Glide and have used Mobil 1, 15w-50 for the past 30k. I only use genuine HD oil filters.

Slufoot