Harley Davidson Forums

Jack Klarich · Oct 20th, 2012, 03:16 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by blademan View Post

I've never understood why my Panhead, Shovelhead, or Triumph didn't blow up without having "motorcycle" oil in them!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by y22c View Post

No they wouldn't blow up, but how often were valve jobs done on the older motors?

Ken

Back in the day the oils had more zinc and other additives, prior to cat converters on auto engines, top ends on older motors would need valve and or rings around 50 k the pan and early shovel motors came from the factory with NO valve seals imagine that ans we wonder why they smoked and used oil

BUBBIE · Oct 20th, 2012, 05:51 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by [B

R. Lewis;454493]remember folks you can put peanut oil in these scoots and run em down the road. But is it good for the inner workings of these $$$$$$$ beasts???[/B]

This is an Oldie but Goodie Thanks R.Lewis.. I like Your Thinking...

signed....BUBBIE

The Tank · Oct 20th, 2012, 06:02 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by blademan View Post

Bet they say No Problem using 15/50

Using Mobil 1 15W-50 in Harley-Davidsons

That would be the exception. Good info.

oldscoolz · Oct 31st, 2012, 08:37 PM

for what its worth, i run mobil 1 15w50 in my 02 flhr. i have just over 50k miles on it and am happy with its performance. why that oil? can't beat the price/quality equation with anything else. i change the oil every 3000 miles and spend ~$25 for 5 qt container of oil at walmart. i ride in lots of differnt conditions, usually including a cross country trip each year- long hours in heat. i dont have an oil cooler.

Markk9 · Nov 1st, 2012, 09:42 PM

Motorcycle specific oil is designed for use in shared sump with in a wet clutch system. With an H-D air cooled engine, the engine oil is just for the engine. Any 50 weight oil will do the job, the first number doesn't matter.

The Tank · Nov 1st, 2012, 10:01 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Markk9 View Post

Motorcycle specific oil is designed for use in shared sump with in a wet clutch system. With an H-D air cooled engine, the engine oil is just for the engine. Any 50 weight oil will do the job, the first number doesn't matter.

If the 50 weight "engine" oil has the correct levels of ZDDP that a "motorcycle" oil has then I would agree. If it is like most automotive oils the ZDDP additives are disappearing due to cars being equipped with catalytic converters. ZDDP and cats don't play well together. A true "motorcycle" engine oil will have adaquate levels of ZDDP which your air cooled V-Twin needs when the viscosity breaks down in extreme heat.

Markk9 · Nov 1st, 2012, 10:09 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by The Tank View Post

If the 50 weight "engine" oil has the correct levels of ZDDP that a "motorcycle" oil has then I would agree. If it is like most automotive oils the ZDDP additives are disappearing due to cars being equipped with catalytic converters. ZDDP and cats don't play well together. A true "motorcycle" engine oil will have adaquate levels of ZDDP which your air cooled V-Twin needs when the viscosity breaks down in extreme heat.

What about motorcycle engines that are equipped with catalytic converters?

The Tank · Nov 1st, 2012, 10:20 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Markk9 View Post

What about motorcycle engines that are equipped with catalytic converters?

That has been discussed before and they would degrade from the higher amount of ZDDP in our motorcycle engine oils. I have heard that HD provides a longer emissions warranty on the new bikes that come with cats. That longer warranty period is on par with car emission warranty periods.

Here is some info on ZDDP...

ZDDP - Debunking The Motor Oil Additive Urban Legend

~~PetesPonies~~ · Nov 19th, 2012, 12:13 PM

It is fine to use Mobil 1 auto oil in your HD if your engine doesn't use the oil for the clutch. For example, my 2004 Sporty, Mobil 1 auto oil. The V-twin oil is special because of the clutches only. Mobil 1 tech will tell you the same.

The Tank · Nov 19th, 2012, 10:23 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by PetesPonies View Post

It is fine to use Mobil 1 auto oil in your HD if your engine doesn't use the oil for the clutch. For example, my 2004 Sporty, Mobil 1 auto oil. The V-twin oil is special because of the clutches only. Mobil 1 tech will tell you the same.

Something more is "special" about Mobil 1's V-Twin product than just being suitable for a wet clutch. When selecting an engine oil for the V-Twin motor the ZDDP amounts should be a factor for selection if an automotive oil is being used in a V-Twin motor. Mobil 1's V-Twin product and their 15W-50 have sufficient ZDDP. Not just any Mobil 1 automotive oil should be used.

Mobil 1 does say their 15W-50 can be used as was linked by blademan. Here is that link again...

Using Mobil 1 15W-50 in Harley-Davidsons

Beyond this endorsement I would be very careful about using an automotive oil in a V-Twin motor.

That 15W-50 oil would be suitable for our V-Twin motors because it contains sufficient levels of ZDDP but as mentioned it does not meet JASO MA2 friction requirements for use in wet clutch applications. So if you use it in the motor only you will be ok.

Beyond that one Mobil 1 product I would be careful to say that other automotive oils are ok to use in our V-Twin motors since they won't have suffiicient amounts of ZDDP.

Oct 20th, 2012, 03:16 PM	#21
Jack Klarich Contributor$ Ride: 2007 Streetbob Join Date: Sep 25th, 2009 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 13,612 My Mood:	Re: Engine Oil Weight Quote: Originally Posted by blademan View Post I've never understood why my Panhead, Shovelhead, or Triumph didn't blow up without having "motorcycle" oil in them!!! Quote: Originally Posted by y22c View Post No they wouldn't blow up, but how often were valve jobs done on the older motors? Ken Back in the day the oils had more zinc and other additives, prior to cat converters on auto engines, top ends on older motors would need valve and or rings around 50 k the pan and early shovel motors came from the factory with NO valve seals imagine that ans we wonder why they smoked and used oil __________________ CAPITAL JACK( Nuff Said, We're Burnin Daylight, Let's Ride)

Oct 20th, 2012, 05:51 PM	#22
BUBBIE Contributor$ Ride: FLHR 09 Join Date: Oct 15th, 2008 Location: AZ, S.East corner/Western WA. Posts: 3,988 My Mood:	Re: Engine Oil Weight Quote: Originally Posted by [B R. Lewis;454493]remember folks you can put peanut oil in these scoots and run em down the road. But is it good for the inner workings of these $$$$$$$ beasts???[/B] This is an Oldie but Goodie Thanks R.Lewis.. I like Your Thinking... signed....BUBBIE __________________ ************************* Quite Often I am Right so Forgive me when I'm WRONG!!!.......

Oct 20th, 2012, 06:02 PM	#23
The Tank Super Moderator Ride: 2008 Electra Glide Standard Join Date: Feb 21st, 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,713 My Mood:	Re: Engine Oil Weight Quote: Originally Posted by blademan View Post Bet they say No Problem using 15/50 Using Mobil 1 15W-50 in Harley-Davidsons That would be the exception. Good info. __________________ Need Help? Please read the Self Help Information & Tips - HDTalking AMSOIL Support from Tank Oils

Oct 31st, 2012, 08:37 PM	#24
oldscoolz Start The Engine Ride: 2002 FLHRI Join Date: Sep 25th, 2011 Posts: 36	Re: Engine Oil Weight for what its worth, i run mobil 1 15w50 in my 02 flhr. i have just over 50k miles on it and am happy with its performance. why that oil? can't beat the price/quality equation with anything else. i change the oil every 3000 miles and spend ~$25 for 5 qt container of oil at walmart. i ride in lots of differnt conditions, usually including a cross country trip each year- long hours in heat. i dont have an oil cooler.

Nov 1st, 2012, 09:42 PM	#25
Markk9 Warming The Wheels Ride: 2011 Night Rod Special Join Date: May 26th, 2011 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 61	Re: Engine Oil Weight Motorcycle specific oil is designed for use in shared sump with in a wet clutch system. With an H-D air cooled engine, the engine oil is just for the engine. Any 50 weight oil will do the job, the first number doesn't matter. __________________ Mark 2013 Ultra Limited, 2011 Night Rod Special. Retired Eagle Driver............Long Live the Eagle.

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Nov 1st, 2012, 10:01 PM	#26
The Tank Super Moderator Ride: 2008 Electra Glide Standard Join Date: Feb 21st, 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,713 My Mood:	Re: Engine Oil Weight Quote: Originally Posted by Markk9 View Post Motorcycle specific oil is designed for use in shared sump with in a wet clutch system. With an H-D air cooled engine, the engine oil is just for the engine. Any 50 weight oil will do the job, the first number doesn't matter. If the 50 weight "engine" oil has the correct levels of ZDDP that a "motorcycle" oil has then I would agree. If it is like most automotive oils the ZDDP additives are disappearing due to cars being equipped with catalytic converters. ZDDP and cats don't play well together. A true "motorcycle" engine oil will have adaquate levels of ZDDP which your air cooled V-Twin needs when the viscosity breaks down in extreme heat. __________________ Need Help? Please read the Self Help Information & Tips - HDTalking AMSOIL Support from Tank Oils

Nov 1st, 2012, 10:09 PM	#27
Markk9 Warming The Wheels Ride: 2011 Night Rod Special Join Date: May 26th, 2011 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 61	Re: Engine Oil Weight Quote: Originally Posted by The Tank View Post If the 50 weight "engine" oil has the correct levels of ZDDP that a "motorcycle" oil has then I would agree. If it is like most automotive oils the ZDDP additives are disappearing due to cars being equipped with catalytic converters. ZDDP and cats don't play well together. A true "motorcycle" engine oil will have adaquate levels of ZDDP which your air cooled V-Twin needs when the viscosity breaks down in extreme heat. What about motorcycle engines that are equipped with catalytic converters? __________________ Mark 2013 Ultra Limited, 2011 Night Rod Special. Retired Eagle Driver............Long Live the Eagle.

Nov 1st, 2012, 10:20 PM	#28
The Tank Super Moderator Ride: 2008 Electra Glide Standard Join Date: Feb 21st, 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,713 My Mood:	Re: Engine Oil Weight Quote: Originally Posted by Markk9 View Post What about motorcycle engines that are equipped with catalytic converters? That has been discussed before and they would degrade from the higher amount of ZDDP in our motorcycle engine oils. I have heard that HD provides a longer emissions warranty on the new bikes that come with cats. That longer warranty period is on par with car emission warranty periods. Here is some info on ZDDP... ZDDP - Debunking The Motor Oil Additive Urban Legend __________________ Need Help? Please read the Self Help Information & Tips - HDTalking AMSOIL Support from Tank Oils

Nov 19th, 2012, 12:13 PM	#29
~~PetesPonies~~ Account Removed Ride: 59 and 04 Sporty Join Date: Nov 13th, 2012 Posts: 5	Re: Engine Oil Weight It is fine to use Mobil 1 auto oil in your HD if your engine doesn't use the oil for the clutch. For example, my 2004 Sporty, Mobil 1 auto oil. The V-twin oil is special because of the clutches only. Mobil 1 tech will tell you the same.

Nov 19th, 2012, 10:23 PM	#30
The Tank Super Moderator Ride: 2008 Electra Glide Standard Join Date: Feb 21st, 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,713 My Mood:	Re: Engine Oil Weight Quote: Originally Posted by PetesPonies View Post It is fine to use Mobil 1 auto oil in your HD if your engine doesn't use the oil for the clutch. For example, my 2004 Sporty, Mobil 1 auto oil. The V-twin oil is special because of the clutches only. Mobil 1 tech will tell you the same. Something more is "special" about Mobil 1's V-Twin product than just being suitable for a wet clutch. When selecting an engine oil for the V-Twin motor the ZDDP amounts should be a factor for selection if an automotive oil is being used in a V-Twin motor. Mobil 1's V-Twin product and their 15W-50 have sufficient ZDDP. Not just any Mobil 1 automotive oil should be used. Mobil 1 does say their 15W-50 can be used as was linked by blademan. Here is that link again... Using Mobil 1 15W-50 in Harley-Davidsons Beyond this endorsement I would be very careful about using an automotive oil in a V-Twin motor. That 15W-50 oil would be suitable for our V-Twin motors because it contains sufficient levels of ZDDP but as mentioned it does not meet JASO MA2 friction requirements for use in wet clutch applications. So if you use it in the motor only you will be ok. Beyond that one Mobil 1 product I would be careful to say that other automotive oils are ok to use in our V-Twin motors since they won't have suffiicient amounts of ZDDP. __________________ Need Help? Please read the Self Help Information & Tips - HDTalking AMSOIL Support from Tank Oils

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