The Official 2020 Oil & Filter Thread... (Open to All Makes)

[MDO]

In honor of my friend Jack, who loves a good oil thread,

I am starting the official 2020 oil/filter thread.

What do you use where and why. I am currently using Redline 20W/50 full synthetic in the engine, but have also used Lucus full synthetic 20W/50 with excellent results as tested by Blackstone Labs.

I use Redline Shockproof in the tranny(10,000 change interval)) & HD Formula + in the primary and I change it at 5,000 miles. I have 1 more quart & will then switch to Redline primary fluid.

I have also ran Lucas in all 3 holes and it worked well, but in the tranny, I have found nothing better than Redline Shockproof & quit searching.

For filters I have used the HD 5 micron, Mobil 1 extended service & K&N and all work excellent. Blackstone Labs confirmed great filtration for the Mobil 1 & they don't know what brand filter your using.

Fellow forum members, what works for you?

[Burnerboy]

Honda synthetic 10-30 blend in my one hole! and stock Honda filter.......... (I know it boring )

Ronnie

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Your a brave man "Gunga Din"

I use the entire Redline line ... LOL.

20w50 in the Engine .... smoooooooth

Shockproof in the tranny .... really smoooooooth

Primary Lube in the Primary .... great clutch feel

I change the oil in the engine at 4k, the primary at 8k, ant the training at 12k. Or ... if by chance I don't do at least 12K in a calendar year, I do all three in the spring. Potential condensation is the reason for the spring time swap. Shorter rides of less frequency in the winter could lead to condensation causing water in the lubes.

As for filters, I just use the HD black one. Always worked well for me. And, I also use a new o-ring on every drian plug every time. I hate that "crusty looking" sealer the Harley techs have migrated to. Pain in the b$tt to clean up and I'm sure with continued use some of that will get in the sumps. I have never had a leak with just a new o-ring and the proper torque (just wish they wouldn't scotch tape them to the oil filter. Sometimes I forget to tell them not to).

[MDO]

Honda synthetic 10-30 blend in my one hole! and stock Honda filter.......... (I know it boring )

Ronnie

In my many years of using several Honda products, I have always found them to be high quality.

[bikerbillone]

Love these oil threads......I use just the natural dino Rotella 15/40, with the best oil filter Walmart has to offer, change at 6K miles. Think I will make it to 100K miles, just being patient.

[David357]

Love these oil threads......I use just the natural dino Rotella 15/40, with the best oil filter Walmart has to offer, change at 6K miles. Think I will make it to 100K miles, just being patient.

Shell Rotella 15w/40 dino oil, OEM filter, change maximum 5K miles.

Odometer reading after 10.5 years: 112K miles

[hardwickbv]

2017 Tri-glide with 44500 miles on at this point

Ran SYN 3 in all holes until about 35000 miles

Engine - HD SYN3

Transmission - Redline Shockproof, actually changed so I can see it easier on the dipstick but do like the performance better than the SYN3.

Primary - HD Heavy Synthetic Gear oil, this wasn't available until I had 35000 on then tried it and like it so far.

Change all every 5000 or sooner if taking a trip that will put me over 5000 before returning.

Oil Filter - OUTLAW High Performance Cleanable Oil Filter purchased from DK Custom

Bob

[Jack Klarich]

Thanks for the new oil thread

20-50 Quicksilver synthetic in the oil tank

Redline in the tranny

Formula+ in the primary

HD black filter

[bikerbillone]

Shell Rotella 15w/40 dino oil, OEM filter, change maximum 5K miles.

Odometer reading after 10.5 years: 112K miles

Cool Beans, I'm good with that.

[Zammy]

Redline products in all 3 holes every 5,000 miles, OEM HD chrome oil filter.

[Old Road Dog]

I cruise over to the auto parts stores just before sunup. People drop off jugs of used oil for recycling. I get it first and it's free. Plenty of life left in that used oil. Use the same used oil in my tranny mixed with sawdust. Quietes that pesky whining noise right down. In the primary I use extra virgin olive oil. We all like extra virgins dont we? I know I do.Oil filter- ya supposed to change that? Nah those are lifetime filters.

[RKplus10]

2015 Twin Cam Freewheeler. I use Lucas synthetic 20w-50 in the engine with their stabilizer. Primary gets Shell Rotella T4 15w-40. Currently running Red Line, shockproof in the tranny. I like the visibility of the red oil on the stick but I probably will go back to Bel-Ray Big Twin transmission oil. To me, less clunk from neutral to first gear. I always use a black HD filter.

[Wmitz]

2020 Tri, currently running hd primary lube, hd syn motor oil and Amsoil 80/140 trans. 1k service was free, as soon as I get close to 5000, Liqui Moly 10w-60 into the engine. That is some of the best oil I’ve used since 2014. Hd primary lube seems fine and at 10k Amsoil 80/140 or equivalent in the trans.

[Ecxelsior]

Im due for an oil change, and am glad this came up, b/c I have a few questions.

1. Is it *really* okay to use the same thing in all three? I saw some Mobil1 Synthetic that said it was good for all three, but I'm a bit leery. Since you're all fans of Redline, and I've heard others say it's a good product, I'll definitely be looking at that.

2. Is it worth the investment to get an oil relo kit? I HAD to get one on my 2w Star 1100, because the to change the oil stock, I had to remove the exhaust. I'm good with the current location of my filter, so it might be more of a "well since I can I will", but maybe it's not as simple as that?

3. It's been a while since I changed it, but I ride it daily (12 to 15 miles to work and back). Is there a recommended interval for daily drivers or is it just ymmv? I'm going on 5K right now so yeah, I'm definitely doing it in the next few weeks.

[MDO]

Im due for an oil change, and am glad this came up, b/c I have a few questions.

1. Is it *really* okay to use the same thing in all three? I saw some Mobil1 Synthetic that said it was good for all three, but I'm a bit leery. Since you're all fans of Redline, and I've heard others say it's a good product, I'll definitely be looking at that.

2. Is it worth the investment to get an oil relo kit? I HAD to get one on my 2w Star 1100, because the to change the oil stock, I had to remove the exhaust. I'm good with the current location of my filter, so it might be more of a "well since I can I will", but maybe it's not as simple as that?

3. It's been a while since I changed it, but I ride it daily (12 to 15 miles to work and back). Is there a recommended interval for daily drivers or is it just ymmv? I'm going on 5K right now so yeah, I'm definitely doing it in the next few weeks.

Thanks for posting.

I ran HD Syn 3 in all 3 holes, then Lucas Full synthetic motorcycle oil in all 3 and it was better. I now insist on Redline Shockproof in the tranny cause, for me, it just works best.

As far as the filter relocation, it would make it easier/cleaner. I just keep spending the money on other items.

As far as intervals, a lot of us go 5,000 on the engine & 10,000 miles on the other holes, but you have to find your comfort zone. I have been doing the primary every 5,000 with HD Formula + just cause I had a few to use, then I'm going to Redline and 10,000 intervals

[Jack Klarich]

Im due for an oil change, and am glad this came up, b/c I have a few questions.

1. Is it *really* okay to use the same thing in all three? I saw some Mobil1 Synthetic that said it was good for all three, but I'm a bit leery. Since you're all fans of Redline, and I've heard others say it's a good product, I'll definitely be looking at that.

2. Is it worth the investment to get an oil relo kit? I HAD to get one on my 2w Star 1100, because the to change the oil stock, I had to remove the exhaust. I'm good with the current location of my filter, so it might be more of a "well since I can I will", but maybe it's not as simple as that?

3. It's been a while since I changed it, but I ride it daily (12 to 15 miles to work and back). Is there a recommended interval for daily drivers or is it just ymmv? I'm going on 5K right now so yeah, I'm definitely doing it in the next few weeks.

Tom, short runs on engine oil can be a bad thing. The oil needs to get up to temperature to burn off water vapors. That said, you may want to change sooner.

Redline in the tranny IMO is a big plus. It clings to gears and bearings better than any engine oil . If using HD formula + in your primary you can easily run 10K miles between changes, and with Redline or the new HD gear lube you can run 10K miles before changes

[Moegy]

For years have used Schaeffers 20-50. It is magic. Now using it in tranny also.

[2ndheart]

My intention is to use red line in all three holes, already in tran, motor next oil change and primary last.

[dougbalko]

Rotella T6, 5W-40 full synthetic in my one hole Honda G1500 trike. This is the 3rd Goldwing I've used this oil in and it's great!

[MDO]

Rotella T6, 5W-40 full synthetic in my one hole Honda G1500 trike. This is the 3rd Goldwing I've used this oil in and it's great!

I used to use the Shell Rotella in my Honda & you are correct, it's very good.