Harley Fluids What and Why!

[Gorilla]

Rick as stated above there is 2 scales on the stick. Some are on the same side some are on opposite sides. HD did that long ago because they planned for people attaching side cars to their bikes. Works great for us trikers.

[tfdeputydawg]

Ok lets think for a minute....would you put trans fluid in your car engine? or motor oil in the rear end gear case? :no: NO right?......well why do you think is ok to put motor oil in all three holes cause some guy says do it from Harley...the people that want to sell more bikes .......So me...I run Red line 20w50 in the motor...motor oil......and Red line heavy duty shock proof gear oil in the trans.......and Red line MTL (manuel trans lube) in the primary :yes:
BTW all syn.
google it on the net

just my 2 cents

Tony

And my .02 back at ya
Syn 3 is touted as having been formulated for use in all 3 places on the Harley's. I understand the CVO bikes come w/Syn 3.
Your statement is exactly one of the reasons Harley had different "stuff" available for each use, IMHO.
Would the manufacturer mislead us:no:
I think Syn3 is OK. I wonder about using it in my Gold Wing?

[1550vt]

Tonyd...Crisco is more like a grease....so it goes in the tranny. Run Wesson Oil in the primary! Sounds like a post I read on one of these oil argument threads where a guy said he ran "slippery oil". (LOL)

Seriously now folks...I run Mobil1 VT20-50 in the engine most of the time, Mobil1 primary fluid in the chain case and a good grade of 75W140 synthetic in the transmission. I run an aftermarket 6-speed and it simply does not like anything but 75W140. I never have owned a Harley that would shift properly with any brand of 20-50 motor oil in the gearbox...be in Amsoil or Syn3.

I actually do change up a bit now and then. Harley dino runs a lot quieter in the motor and reduces that little lifter-tap a few of us have. On the longer trips when I know I may not get to change it before a 4,000 to 5,000 run...I will run synthetic...and no..mixing it has never killed any engine I have ever owned. I have also ran ATF in the chain case just too see if it would explode....never has, nor has any good grade of 20-50 motor oil in there.

I have a friend with an 02 Ultra that has never ran a thing other than HD dino and his just rolled over 160,000 miles a couple of weeks ago.

[Gorilla]

The key is to take care of it and change the fluids.

[pin-hi]

Amsoil synthetic in my 1200 cc Harley Sportster trike. I switched to synthetic oil in my Subie cage years ago and happy so I wanted to go with synthetics in the trike as well. I recently read a Blackstone report of oil analysis on a Harley running Amsoil Synthetic and the report came back with excellent results. Just my opinion....

[1550vt]

Amen there timigala! I never let mine go much past 3,000 miles on the motor, every other oil change on the primary and every third oil change on the transmission. Just keep the fluids fresh and you can run just about anything you want to...within reason.

Personally, I think changing primary and tranny fluids at each oil change is a complete waste of time. The primary fluid is going to start looking dirty after a ride around the block anyway and I have never drained anything but clean fluid out of a transmission if I changed it at 3-4,000 mile intervals. That stuff will go 10,000 miles easy, but in any case....change it all once a year, even if it has done nothing but sit in the garage.

[tudor29]

Mobil 1 syn 20-50 v twin oil HD+ in primary , Mobil 1 syn gear lube 75-90 in tranny oh by the way hd syn 3 is a syn blend ,from what i read on some of the harley forums, just to let you know.as far as running dino oil in the primary i guess im oil school on putting syn in the clutch.but ive done it this way for the last 100,000 miles

[KRUZR]

I run Amsoil 20W 50 in the motor, Bel-ray 85-140 in the trans and Formula Plus in the primary. There is White Paper data on the internet that clearly shows how it compares to other lube products. Check it out! I run the Bel-ray 85 -140 in the trans to quite it down. Ride Safe!

[trikes4ever]

Amsoil 20-50 engine and primary, Amsoil 75-90 in the trans - basically because my indy recommended it. Trans got quieter and easier to shift and find neutral, and oil temp is about 15 deg lower in summer. I'll probably switch to 20-50 in all three holes as that's what they recommend now for the TC, but won't be changing the trans fluid for a while. Just had a small leak (clutch cable) and patched it - fluid was crystal clear. I buy filters and cases of oil direct from Amsoil now. Previous ower used Syn3 and HD gear oil.

[White Knight 04]

Tonyd...Crisco is more like a grease....so it goes in the tranny. Run Wesson Oil in the primary! Sounds like a post I read on one of these oil argument threads where a guy said he ran "slippery oil". (LOL)

Seriously now folks...I run Mobil1 VT20-50 in the engine most of the time, Mobil1 primary fluid in the chain case and a good grade of 75W140 synthetic in the transmission. I run an aftermarket 6-speed and it simply does not like anything but 75W140. I never have owned a Harley that would shift properly with any brand of 20-50 motor oil in the gearbox...be in Amsoil or Syn3.

I actually do change up a bit now and then. Harley dino runs a lot quieter in the motor and reduces that little lifter-tap a few of us have. On the longer trips when I know I may not get to change it before a 4,000 to 5,000 run...I will run synthetic...and no..mixing it has never killed any engine I have ever owned. I have also ran ATF in the chain case just too see if it would explode....never has, nor has any good grade of 20-50 motor oil in there.

I have a friend with an 02 Ultra that has never ran a thing other than HD dino and his just rolled over 160,000 miles a couple of weeks ago.

I agree I have used Mobil 1 for 45,000 mi in all three holes and never had a bit of trouble.... I did a cam and gear drive change to it at 24,000 when I tore it down there was very little wear and it look good in there except for the chain shoes inner and outer on both inner and outer chains....

But we all know this is a weak spot in the twin cam 88...Mine were shot !!!

I went with the Andrews 26g cams and S&S gear drive was definitely a very good choice it pulled like a truck after the change...

I also went with a V/H fuel pack an Arlen Ness big sucker II and true duels with wild pig slash cuts and 2.5 baffles...:Computer: Just my 2 $ never have been able to put 2 cents in since I started riding Harleys 50 years ago it has always been Hundred Harley---- Dollars Davidson but would never have it any other way......Ride safe and long ...

Jerry

[trikes4ever]

I listen to the experts

That's funny. There's certainly no shortage of them.

[mcdonaldroadcapt]

Mobile 1 in engine and primary plus Reline Shockproof in tranny. Redline Shockproof is the best tranny lube you can use. Sticks to gears like glue and removes most noise from noisy 5th gears.

[Maryland Triker]

Syn 3

[White Knight 04]

Mobil 1 all three holes, no problems in none of my Harleys....

[Southern Man]

For all of the folks that want to do exactly what mother Motorcompany tells them to just try redline shockproof in the trans for (1) day. You will be amazed just how smooth it becomes within the first few gear changes.

Also a note. If you take your "under warranty" Harley in to the dealership for a noise in the trans there is a 99% chance that they will replace the syn3 oil with Redline shockproof lube and give you back a quiter bike with a grim on their face.

YOu will not find Redline on the shelf out from for sale but you will find it in the service area of the dealership.

[427dave]

Engine = Amsoil 20-50 for motorcycle
Primary= Amsoil 10-40 for motorcycle
Tranny= Amsoil 75-140 Gear oil

[cewhit1]

Try RED LINE in the Tranny. Works great.

[cewhit1]

Ok, just want to know what you all are running in twin cam's (ultras, trikes etc), and why you have settled on that brand and weights.
What are you running in all 3 holes, motor, primary and trans.
Thank You
Mike

I have a 09 HD Tri-Glide Ultra. I run Lucas 20-50 in Motor. Red Line in Trany and regular HD Primary in Primary. Works great.

[TattooZ]

Well,

I just got a 2011 Triglide in April. Went over the 1000 mile threshold and went to my Mechanic for the 1k check.

Syn3 20 - 50 in the primary and engine
Redline in the tranny.

Call me crazy but my trike shifts sooooo much better and finding Neutral is a breeze. Also I am getting 37 MPG over varying speeds since the oil change. At best I got 31 MPG before.

[bsickels]

Syn 3.