Thickening Delo just a bit....

[fuel tanker man]

I just wanted to run an idea by some of you guys. This may belong in the motorcycle forum, but then again maybe no--the notion could apply to other engines as well.

I can't get over the fantastic UOA's I keep seeing with the Delo 400 15W40 HDEO.

It's got about the most robust additive package I've seen, and it seems to hold up.

Here's my idea. I've got a '94 Harley Davidson (Evolution engine). I've been running Mobil 1 15W50 redcap in the engine part with no problems.

However, I can't help but wonder how the Delo might perform. I know it's a 15w40 oil, but I've read some of the UOA's with Castrol 20W50's here which were taken from Harley Davidsons. The wear numbers look very good, but the viscocities keep coming back WAY low, like 30 weights--even with relatively low miles on the oil. So it appears that the Harley engine is doing alright even with a 30 weight oil since the sheared Castrol 20W50 UOA's are looking okay.

So what about the idea of running Delo 15W40 in the Harley engine? And perhaps even thickening the viscosity with an additive such as STP (horrors, I know). ?

My reason for asking is I've got several friends who are looking around for a better Harley engine oil but they aren't wanting to shell out the extra bucks for synthetics--so even if I don't make the switch myself I could share this info with others.

Would the Delo 15W40 do fine all by itself? Or would Harley Davidson's recommendation for a 20W50 viscosity mean that the Delo would need a little thickening to do the best job?

Dan

 

[SSDude]

If you want to thicken it up you might be better off adding something like the MaxLife Engine Protector or the synthetic equivalent. I've had good results with it in my car.

 

[JeepZJ4.0]

quote:

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Originally posted by SSDude:
If you want to thicken it up you might be better off adding something like the MaxLife Engine Protector or the synthetic equivalent. I've had good results with it in my car.

---

I'll second that one. Valvoline SynPower Oil Treatment is the synthetic (65% PAO) equivalent.

 

[martin]

LOL...I asked almost the same question over in the additive section today. And I agree that the 15w-50 seems a little thin for a 50 weight. I just want to thicken it up a little myself.

 

[wwillson]

Just run the DELO 15w-40 and do a UOA on it. You certainly won't hurt anything a 15w-40 and I'll bet the DELO will stay in-grade....

 

[honus402]

I've been planning the same for my 2005 XL1200C. Still waiting for the 1000 mile Dealer (stealer) Service. Then I'll drain theirs and put in mine. The manual says 15W-40 or Harley Davidson 20W-50. From the UOAs and VOAs I've found on the HD oil, it appears that Delo 15W-40 is much superior.
My next decision is the replacement for the HD Sport Trans fluid. Appears to be a cheap 75W-90 GL4, but Harley seems to have kept the spec and formula a secret. Seems they also reccomend their 20W-50 Syn3 (Group III) for the trans. Could it be that Delo could replace that also? Delo must have better shear stability than a 20W-50 group III.

 

[fuel tanker man]

Thanks Motorbike.

I referenced the Castrol 20W50 UOA in my opening post. That's not the only UOA on this board showing Castrol 20W50 turning into a 30 weight... But the wear numbers look good in spite of this it seems.

Anyway, I don't see the Delvac 1300 shearing to a 30 weight in the post you reference. I'm sort of new here, so help me with the numbers.

Thanks,

Dan

 

[Motorbike]

Ooops , just sheared almost two full centistrokes , not to a 30wt . My bad

13.67cSt @ 100C
Mfr viscosity spec: (15.5cSt @100C)

Mistake repaired

 

[MikeR]

Have you considered running straight 30w Delo?

mr

 

[fuel tanker man]

I haven't, but that's primarily because Harley Davidson recommends 20W50 oil in their engines. The air cooled V-twins really thrash the oil, so they say. I guess that's how some 20W50's end up in the 30 weight category after 3000 miles or so.

So I figured the Delo would hold it's 40 weight rating longer than many 50's can stay in the 40's, if you see what I mean.

I've been having good luck with the Mobil 1 redcap, so this isn't a pressing question. I'm just thinking out load a bit after looking at some of the sheared 20W50's in the UOA forum.

Dan

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by honus402:

My next decision is the replacement for the HD Sport Trans fluid. Appears to be a cheap 75W-90 GL4, but Harley seems to have kept the spec and formula a secret. Seems they also reccomend their 20W-50 Syn3 (Group III) for the trans. Could it be that Delo could replace that also? Delo must have better shear stability than a 20W-50 group III.

---

Viscosity wise, it's close. An engine 40 runs from a bit thinner than a gear 90 into the thinner end of the gear 90 spec.
http://members.shaw.ca/jbarge/MTF.htm
The W end of the viscosity doesn't mater much on a motorcycle unless you are riding in sub freezing weather after having parked your bike in subfreezing weather overnight.

Then there is the GL4 question. You probably shouldn't do it unless you find people with a lot of experiance using regular good quality engine oil in Sporty tranmissions.

 

[Motorbike]

The Delo most likely will be crushed

to a 30wt like this 1300S was by a bike motor

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=9;t=000104

Or this 20w-50 was in a Harley

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=001382

Options seems few for these engines . Drain often or go with a high end synlube .

Redline and Maxima come to mind on the latter .

 

[Hemidart]

Do Harleys have wet clutches? If so DO NOT ADD AN ADDITIVE PAK.

I had an old Ducati that had a wet clutch and on reccomendation from a friend I added a moly add pak that made the bike un-ridable. I had to replace all the clutch plates and run a few oil changes before if stopped slipping.

 

[cousincletus]

You should do fine with 15W-40 in the bike without adding anything. I think H-D calls for this anyway in the wintertime. I don't see any problem if you change frequently, but do a UOA to play it safe. You can probably get truck oil for "free" where you work anyway, so cost is no object