Cool chart.
I ran Chevron Delo SAE 50 in my 10-speed Eaton per manufacturer recommendation, it worked great. This is behind a 12 liter CAT engine typical GVW in the 78K to 80K range, air temps in the high 80s to 100+. Never had a problem. Can't even imagine the load those gears were under. Now looking at the chart I see why.
Have always run SAE 50 or 60 in the bike (engine and trans) in hot weather, typically add a little 20w-50 in cold weather so I can kick it. Never ran gear oil, the old 4-speeds have yellow metal on the kick starter and the really older ones have yellow metal on the main shaft and countershaft. I've got a gear set that is at least 28 years old that still sounds pretty good on, shafts older than that. Nothing but motor oil.
I've rebuilt a lot of Harley transmissions over the years, about the only failures I've seen are from lack of lubrication (oil leaked out), a dragging clutch that went uncorrected, or other forms of abuse. I've seen a few sets of gears that were just plain worn out but these were older, very high mileage bikes. I've looked inside a 5-speed in an Evo FLHTC that had over 250,000 miles on it running nothing but Rotella 15w-40 and there was nothing wrong with the transmission besides a broken pawl spring.
I'm wondering how much difference any of these oils can really make in terms of wear.
I ran Chevron Delo SAE 50 in my 10-speed Eaton per manufacturer recommendation, it worked great. This is behind a 12 liter CAT engine typical GVW in the 78K to 80K range, air temps in the high 80s to 100+. Never had a problem. Can't even imagine the load those gears were under. Now looking at the chart I see why.
Have always run SAE 50 or 60 in the bike (engine and trans) in hot weather, typically add a little 20w-50 in cold weather so I can kick it. Never ran gear oil, the old 4-speeds have yellow metal on the kick starter and the really older ones have yellow metal on the main shaft and countershaft. I've got a gear set that is at least 28 years old that still sounds pretty good on, shafts older than that. Nothing but motor oil.
I've rebuilt a lot of Harley transmissions over the years, about the only failures I've seen are from lack of lubrication (oil leaked out), a dragging clutch that went uncorrected, or other forms of abuse. I've seen a few sets of gears that were just plain worn out but these were older, very high mileage bikes. I've looked inside a 5-speed in an Evo FLHTC that had over 250,000 miles on it running nothing but Rotella 15w-40 and there was nothing wrong with the transmission besides a broken pawl spring.
I'm wondering how much difference any of these oils can really make in terms of wear.
