Can I use Castol Syntec 5w-50 in my 2005 Harley?

[rlabutis]

What your thoughts about using Castrol Syntec 5w-50 oil in my 2005 HD Dyna Glide for cold weather.
Only reason for me asking is that the current oil which is Mobil V-twin 20w-50 is too thick for the freezing temps. It's sluggish when it starts and I don't want to ruin the engine.
I know 5w-50 is a Group III oil, correct me if I am wrong. Shearing will not be an issue, since I will change the oil at about 2k miles, by then it will be snowing and bike will be put into storage.

I live in CT.

 

[Dick in Falls Church]

You can use anything you want to use, because it is your bike.

I think you'd be better off using AMSOIL or Mobil 1 motorcycle oils-and probably keep it in through the winter until into the summer.

 

[rlabutis]

Amsoil does not make a 5w-50
20w-50 of any brand is too thick in cold weather.

 

[arkainzeye]

on the amsoil wesbite they list the pour point for their 20w50 motorcycle oil to be

Pour Point °C (°F) (ASTM D-97) -39F

how cold of temps are you riding in? I dont know what the flow temps are for the other oils you used, but to be able to flow at Minus 39F seems pretty great to me while being a 20w50 oil.

chris

 

[rlabutis]

when I start the bike, it feels like I have molasses for oil. When its warm it starts fast.

 

[Don Stefanik]

http://www.amsoil.com/products/streetbikes/oil_chart.aspx

 

[rlabutis]

here is the tech data on Mobil 1 V-twin
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lubes/PDS/NAUSE2PVLMOMobil1_Motorcycle_Oils.asp

Pour point is -60F, if this is true, why is the oil like glue?

Amsoil pour point is -38F

I makes no difference what oil you use, it never gets that cold in CT.

I wonder how much better 5w oil flows better than 20w at temps around freezing.

 

[Reg# 43897]

No experience to draw on for your application or for this particular oil in a bike. Seems reasonable however given the short service interval. I notice a big difference between the start-up of 15w-40 Delo and 5w-40 Delvac 1.

John.

 

[penzdude]

that twin cam 88 call for a 20 50. the syn will flow better than a dino 20-50 at cold temps. it probably more from the cold battery? i am currently using the delvac 1300 15-40 in the 1200 evo, but i live in va beach va. maybe try a trickle charger and see if it helps. either the mobil or amsoil offerings in the 20 -50 should be fine in this app.

 

[wileyE]

The pour point just indicates what temp the fluid will not flow. You could compare 2 oils with identicle pour points of say -30f. But at 32f their viscosity could be entirely different and one may be easier to pump. I think the 40c cst moght be a better thing to look at than the PP if your concern is cold weather.

 

[bluepp]

Rlabutis,
YES YES YES , you certainly can use Castrol syntec 5-50 for winter.

 

[penzdude]

how do you like the dyna? i see for 06' they all have 6 speed trans and fuel injection standard. neat bikes..the dyna superglides always looked like sportsters on steroids to me. rode a wideglide once, liked the semi apes and the factory passenger backrest it came with. they lost the backrest for 06' though....penz

 

[rlabutis]

bike rides great.

 

[Greg K]

I would be really leery of running a 5W in my harley (in fact, I don't in my `05 Road Glide).
As HD specifies 20W-50 you could very well blow your warranty out the door...
There are numberous HD-specific forums (V-Twin Forum Harley Chat Group) that discuss oil ad nauseum and I could find not a single recommendation to run a 5W.

 

[Norm Olt]

What Greg K said... Other than in arctic climes,
why would one want to use an oil with a 45-point viscosity spread in an air-cooled motorcycle designed to use 20W-50 oil?

I would think significant shearing would begin almost immediately, much to your dismay.

 

[tnt31]

http://www.klotzlube.com/storeCats.asp?ci=7

 

[rlabutis]

I will stick with the Mobil V-Twin 20w-50 oil.

 

[Mackelroy]

Did you try the syntec 5w50?

 

[Mackelroy]

((I wonder how much better 5w oil flows better than 20w at temps around freezing.))

Without getting caught up in wording, pour point means just that, the point which it stops pouring, and doesn't mean 20 degrees warmer it will flow adequately, but alittle better than the pour point.

Even at 70 degrees a 5 weight will flow much quicker and easier than 20 weight at startup.

 

[JR]

I have a wuestion it off topic alittle. I have a honda 250 rebel with 19,500 on it. I bought it with 13,900 on it. I used a couple of different oils in it. Rotella, Delvac, Rotella syn, and Delo. It has delo in it right now. My quest is I picked up like 15 quarts of Syntec 5W-50 and it on the shelf and I was thinking of using it. I was thinking it should be a great oil for this spring. With the cool morns and stuff. I am one of those guys that if I could I would ride year around. But they do a terible job of clearing the roads in my parts of michigan.