Primary Oil Discussion

[flaya564]

I figured I put this on here cause I didn't want to start another thread but everyone is mentioning what they use but I'm a little confused. Everyone's mentioning the brand and weight of what they use but is it different from what goes into the engine? I'm using Mobil 1 synth for the engine but am trying to figure out what to use for the primary.

I'm I going to use the same Mobil 1 I put into the engine or a different one?

 

[Stevenc150]

Most I've seen, including me, use the same in both. As long as it's a full synthetic Motorcycle oil, won't be any issues.

 

[1stxb9r]

I run 20-50 synthetic in both holes and the fan runs a bit less, but hate paying almost $12 a quart.

 

[joegriff1996]

$12 a quart? I paid 9.49 at autozone yesterday.

 

[lighting]

Don't know about other bikers, but my 12S runs much smoother with RP 20-50, however it shifts better with Mobil 1 V Twin in the primary and since I aim to please it's what she gets. Please be advise that is the way I feel it in my bike, other may have different opinion(s) or preferences,

 

[bardo688]

So amisol 20w-50 in both or HD in both???
its a harley thunderstorm 984 wouldnt hd oil be best[confused] and hows the royal purple been going? is it synthetic

 

[Stevenc150]

I use RP Max Cycle 20W50 in both holes. Definitely recommend it, though as long as it's a Fully Synthetic Motorcycle oil, it's just a matter of choice. - Royal Purple Info

 

[fahren]

If I were sure that Harley went out and found the very best products for performance and longevity for a Buell (or even a HD) bike, then I would use HD oils. However, HD does not make oil, and I am not at all sure they don't just contract out to whoever gives them the best deal to re-label the oil, with more regard to profit than to health of our bikes.

 

[taildraggin]

I don't believe synthetic matters much in the primary. It's a closed, clean environment, with relatively light loads and all bits are soaking in an oil bath. Everything lasts forever in primaries.

Except the wet clutch plates. Obviously, they're designed for 20/50 engine oil, so friction coefficients are spec'd for some kind of motor oil. This seems to be the OEM stuff. My stocker feels good with it and wouldn't feel qualified to make a change.

In the paleomesomotocyclic period, you could swell the clutch plates, or glaze them, or just get them 'sticking' if you used the 'wrong' oil. You don't hear that much anymore - materials are much better, but I'm not sure that the primary is the place to experiment with the latest super slick.

 

[Stevenc150]

I'm not sure that the primary is the place to experiment with the latest super slick.

No experimentation. Experience, both mine and others, is that it smoothes out shifting, helps with the "CLUNK" from the tranny, and less "shavings" on the magnetic drain plug. I don't know that I've heard of any negatives from using Full Syn. in primary.

 

[GSXdoubleR88ciNINJA]

I dog the shit outta my bike. Bang on the rev limiter a good bit when I'm feeling froggy.
Mobil1 full SYNTHETIC V-twin 20-50, motor and primary. I'm not sure if Mobil1 has any engineers working there or not....
Smooth clutch, shifting, and motor. Over 19,000 on the ODO, still strong.

 

[taildraggin]

Sounds like it works good. By 'latest super slick' I'm talking about fringe stuff.

Flashing comes from production, so it should reduce each change.

(Talking about the Buell/HD engineer that designed the clutch.)

 

[DrogeN Omen]

what is the "Primary" you guys are talking about? is that Transmission oil? Gear oil? what?

also what does 'qt' stand for? is that Quart?

sorry in New Zealand we use the Metric system.

just trying to work out all the lingo...


[confused]

 

[Stevenc150]

what is the "Primary" you guys are talking about? is that Transmission oil? Gear oil? what?

Yep, the Trans.

also what does 'qt' stand for? is that Quart?

Yep.

 

[buellman09]

I switched to amsoil 20 50 and it made a huge differnce, ran a lot smoother, and cooler...amsoil is worth it in these bikes.

 

[SchoolHouseCycles]

In my opinion oil is oil. As long as you are using the right type for the application and change it regularly, you are gonna be OK. Amsoil and Royal Purple... pyramid marketing schemes and sales BS. HD Syn 3 is good stuff, but as mentioned earlier HD doesn't make it. HD puts all fluids up for bid regularly.. same bottle, different refineries. I use Rev Tech oils in my shop. In dino we use their 20-50 pure. For synthetic, 20-50 MTP. Rev Tech comes from Kendall through Custom Chrome. Been using it for two years now with no issues.

 

[CR06XB12R]

Has anybody ever run Amsoil 10W40 in the primary before? I'm planning to go to Amsoil 20W50 in the engine, but curious if anyone has tried the 10w40 in the primary and had good results.

 

[bolt08]

Just an idea... Red Line makes a specific "Primary oil" this is not a transmission oil, they make a separate oil for bikes that require trans oil and believe me, it is totally different! I have used Red line in all of my bikes for the last three years(approx. 25,000 mi combined) and have been very pleased to date.

 

[TooFst]

I just put Royal Purple in both holes... I'm just sick of going to Harley every time I need a quart or when it's time to change.. Any way, WOW. What a difference. I would have never guessed in a million years that my bike could shift that smooth. EVERY gear is better and the "clunk" from 1st to 2nd is almost gone. Prob. wouldn't even notice it if I didn't know it was there.