What about just using a plain non detergent 30 weight oil in the primary? It should be light enough of a weight oil and should do for a lubricant?
TRANS FLUID IN HARLEY PRIMARY CASE
- Thread starter MULESKINNER
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Muleskinner,I have a 2004 Harley flht,I have used gtx 10w40,the old Harley chain case lube,Amsoil 20w50 M.C.oil in the past.At present I have Harley plus trans and primary fluid in the primary.To be honest cant' tell the difference in any of the lubes mentioned proformance wise.If you want to use 30w. oil it probably would be fine.
Try Redline MTL. You will never use anything else and it will last 15-20,000 miles.
Just a word of advice- don't run your primary 15k-20k miles on any oil. There's no filter on the primary so all the clutch material, wear metal, etc. just floats around in the oil. I had MTL in mine last go-round and after 4100 miles the oil still looked good, but there was a lot of ---- on the magnet and in suspension. No way would I go more than 5k miles between oil changes on the primary. It only holds one qt, so it's not like it'll break the bank for me to change it every time with the engine oil.
I switched back to Formula+ after that one run with MTL- MTL is good stuff but my clutch seems to like the Formula+ better...
I switched back to Formula+ after that one run with MTL- MTL is good stuff but my clutch seems to like the Formula+ better...
Well, for sure this is a concern..I ran Mobil 1 15w50 in my primary till they came out with Mobil 1 Truck and SUV 5w40...pulled a 400# trailer with wife all around this country..sold the bike with 135k on the clock..still had the original clutch, chain & compensator..put in a new chain shoe @ 100k..it had a very small crack on the back side (check yours at @ 50k)..remember that you need a oil that can handle the heat from the crank bearing and lower end..I change every 5k..also, remember that there are 2 other items being lubed..the starter engagement gear and the push rod for clutch engagement..both of mine looked new at @ 100k...now, if your using the bike as a bar hopper..put anything in it..anything will work... Joe
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Just a word of advice- don't run your primary 15k-20k miles on any oil. There's no filter on the primary so all the clutch material, wear metal, etc. just floats around in the oil. I had MTL in mine last go-round and after 4100 miles the oil still looked good, but there was a lot of ---- on the magnet and in suspension. No way would I go more than 5k miles between oil changes on the primary. It only holds one qt, so it's not like it'll break the bank for me to change it every time with the engine oil.
I switched back to Formula+ after that one run with MTL- MTL is good stuff but my clutch seems to like the Formula+ better...
I agree with your comments about debris & contamination. My point is that you will never exceed the limits of the MTL and it's only 2 bucks more. I found 5 qts on a close out table for $2 each so I am set for a long while. In my experience I like the clutch feel of the MTL better especially when it's cold because it has cold flow properties of a 5w30 motor oil so I don't get the cold clutch drag in the colder months.
Hey Skunky, glad to read a testimonial with so many miles involved, are you still recommending Mobil 1 5w40 in the primary? And what other oils have you used for alot of miles in your Harleys? I've ridden a 59 Pan across Canada and U.S. with mastercraft 50 weight always, bottom end knocking after about 30k. My 93 evo always had H.D. dino, no problems, had 50K. And I'm just switching to mobil 1 v-twin syn. in my 06 electra-glide, have redline in transmission, going to rotella conventional 15w40 in primary till I have more confidence with syn. in primary. Thanks, Mike
hiya mik3. note that the post you replied to is ~18 months old. You might not get a prompt reply...if any.
Synthetic in the primary is fine. Try the Mobil 1 vtwin 10w40 if you are using the 20w50 in the engine. Then try Mobil 1 85w140 in your trans. All available at autozone.
In my BT I tried Amsoil ATF for a couple years and just didn't like the feel of the clutch. No problems really, just didn't give me as good of feedback I thought. Before that was 10W-40 M/C Amsoil and now is the new 10w30 M/C Amsoil. Feels fine now. I doubt if any lube within limits will have much affect on wear but they do seem to have a slight affect on the feel of the clutch. The 10W-40 and 10w30 feel about the same. I think I will stick with the 10w30 M/C oil.
In my XL I've tried just about everything and am now trying Formula +. Its been working fine but I've only got about 1,000 miles on it.
In my XL I've tried just about everything and am now trying Formula +. Its been working fine but I've only got about 1,000 miles on it.
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