I deviated from my usual oil in my HD this time around. I normally use Havoline 20W50, but this time I tried a mix of Valvoline VR1 racing oil. In the three quart sump, I put two quarts of VR1 20W50, and one quart of VR1 straight 60 weight--figuring it would be more shear stable in the hot temperatures of summer. I ran the oil 2751 miles, with no additives of any kind.
Here is the report:
I did not use any make up oil with the VR1, and I actually ran it a bit farther than the previous Havoline runs. Considering those two points (I did use some make up oil with the Havoline OCI's) I think the VR1 has acquitted itself very nicely.
The two previous UOA's shown on the chart were both Havoline, the most recent one had about 4 oz of Valvoline Synthetic Oil Treatment added about half way through in lieu of a top off with more Havo 20W50.
And yes, as Blackstone confirms I'm very blessed to have an engine that is wearing this well.
The VR1 add pack seems a bit lacking, however. (A common complaint of Valvoline oils). While the ZDDP is pretty good, there isn't much of anything else to rave about in there. Valvoline says not to use this oil in a wet clutch system--implying deceptively (it would seem) that there is a lot of moly in there. There's hardly any, at 25 ppm.
Nonetheless, the oil did the job--and did it very well. Who needs additives?
I'm a bit surprised that it sheared to a 40 weight (a heavy 40, albeit). I would have thought that the 1 quart of 60 weight would have held it to a 50 in the end. The 20W50 started out at around 21 cst viscosity in virgin form. But the wear metal count is very impressive, and that is the main and most important consideration.
I've put Havoline back in there for the fall, but I wouldn't hesitate to use the VR1 blend again if I found a good price on it. All in all, the Havoline is still king in my book, as it's about half the price of the VR1 and much easier to find.
But my hat is off to the VR1 in this application, and considering that it's low on moly (which unnecessarily scares some folks with wet clutches) I think it's a viable choice in just about any motorcycle that can use a good, heavy oil.
Dan
Here is the report:
I did not use any make up oil with the VR1, and I actually ran it a bit farther than the previous Havoline runs. Considering those two points (I did use some make up oil with the Havoline OCI's) I think the VR1 has acquitted itself very nicely.
And yes, as Blackstone confirms I'm very blessed to have an engine that is wearing this well.
The VR1 add pack seems a bit lacking, however. (A common complaint of Valvoline oils). While the ZDDP is pretty good, there isn't much of anything else to rave about in there. Valvoline says not to use this oil in a wet clutch system--implying deceptively (it would seem) that there is a lot of moly in there. There's hardly any, at 25 ppm.
Nonetheless, the oil did the job--and did it very well. Who needs additives?
I'm a bit surprised that it sheared to a 40 weight (a heavy 40, albeit). I would have thought that the 1 quart of 60 weight would have held it to a 50 in the end. The 20W50 started out at around 21 cst viscosity in virgin form. But the wear metal count is very impressive, and that is the main and most important consideration.
I've put Havoline back in there for the fall, but I wouldn't hesitate to use the VR1 blend again if I found a good price on it. All in all, the Havoline is still king in my book, as it's about half the price of the VR1 and much easier to find.
But my hat is off to the VR1 in this application, and considering that it's low on moly (which unnecessarily scares some folks with wet clutches) I think it's a viable choice in just about any motorcycle that can use a good, heavy oil.
Dan