20W50 oil is a high-performance, heavy-duty viscosity grade oil for diesel and gasoline engines. It’s also commonly used as racing oil and motorcycle oil. So, should you be using 20W-50 oil? Could it be bad for your engine? This article will examine 20W-50 oil in detail along with its uses .
There truly is no wrong answer. AMSOIL V-Twin 20W-50 is designed for engine, primary and transmission use. It is certainly a highly competent and convenient choice for all three components. For those that prefer a specialized fluid, the V-Twin Primary and V-Twin Transmission Fluids will certainly provide outstanding performance and protection.
One thing to keep in mind is that there are quite a few standards used to grade oils, lubes etc. For example, a 75W-90 gear lube has nearly the same viscosity as SAE 10w-40 motor oil. That’s not to say that you should substitute one for the other.
Can you use 20W50 for primary oil?
Amsoil recommends 20W-50 synthetic V-twin motorcycle oil in the engine, transmission and primary chaincase on most Harleys. Amsoil 20W-50 offers: Convenience – Riders buy and install one lubricant. This reduces costs and results if you half- used bottles of oil lying around in the garage.
Can I use 20W50 in Harley primary?
A particularly nice feature about AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil is that it can be used in the engine, transmission and primary chaincase of Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
What kind of oil goes in Harley primary?
The optimum product would be Mobil 1 Racing™ 4T 10W-40 motorcycle oil, but it is also okay to use Mobil 1™ V-Twin 20W-50.
Can I put engine oil in primary?
You can use the same thing you use in the engine. You can use dino. You can use stuff labeled for the specific purpose. Some guys even use ATF in the primary.
Can I use 20w50 in Harley primary?
A particularly nice feature about AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil is that it can be used in the engine, transmission and primary chaincase of Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Can you use 20w50 for primary oil?
Amsoil recommends 20W-50 synthetic V-twin motorcycle oil in the engine, transmission and primary chaincase on most Harleys. Amsoil 20W-50 offers: Convenience – Riders buy and install one lubricant. This reduces costs and results if you half- used bottles of oil lying around in the garage.
What oil goes in a Sportster primary?
The Evolution Sportsters have wet clutch and primary drives. It is recommended to change the oil at 1,000 miles, then every 10,000 miles after that. The manufacturer recommends using 20w50 oil. Make sure that the oil you use is approved for wet clutches.
Can you use motor oil in Harley primary?
You actually have a couple of choices for the primary drive. The optimum product would be Mobil 1 Racing™ 4T 10W-40 motorcycle oil, but it is also okay to use Mobil 1™ V-Twin 20W-50.
More Answers On Can you use 20w50 in primary
Conventional HD 20w50 Primary Oil – Harley Davidson Forums
Jun 25, 20205,684 Posts #2 · Jun 26, 2020 HD recommended their branded 20w50 in all 3 holes for many years, so you will be ok. Fill to bottom of clutch basket. It is better to be a little low on primary oil, than to overfill. SCHMIDTY Retired citizen Joined Jun 7, 2009 25,578 Posts #3 · Jun 26, 2020 1 qt. 20W50 engine oil is good.
The 20W50 Oil Guide (Definition, Uses, 6 FAQs) | RepairSmith
Nov 19, 202120W-50 is a heavy-duty multigrade engine oil primarily used in high temperature settings. The numbers 20W-50 follow the Society of Automotive Engineers ( SAE) format for multigrade engine oil, with the ’W’ meaning ’Winter.’ Compared to single grade oils, multigrade oils like 20W-50 offer a better operating temperature range.
Correct Oil For Harley Primary and Transmission?
There truly is no wrong answer. AMSOIL V-Twin 20W-50 is designed for engine, primary and transmission use. It is certainly a highly competent and convenient choice for all three components. For those that prefer a specialized fluid, the V-Twin Primary and V-Twin Transmission Fluids will certainly provide outstanding performance and protection.
SOLVED: Can I use 20/50 synthetic in the primary? What is – Fixya
Harley recommends you use their 20w50 or Syn 3 (synthetic) oil. If you use Syn 3, you can also use it in the trans and primary. If you use conventional oil, Harley’s Formula Plus goes in the trans and primary. Truth be told, any good high quality motorcycle oil (Amsoil, etc) made for air cooled engines will work in the crankcase. Read full answer
Best synthetic oil for primary – V-Twin Forum
The use of synthetic oil in the engine has lowered my engine oil temperatures by 12-15 degrees. Mobil 1 now says that you can use their 20w-50 V-twin oil in the motor, the primary, and the transmission. The use of synthetics in the primary will extend clutch life, and lower temperatures.
Should I Use 20W-50 or Gear Lube in My Harley Transmission?
A particularly nice feature about AMSOIL 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil is that it can be used in the engine, transmission and primary chaincase of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. But some riders wonder if a gear lube like AMSOIL Severe Gear Synthetic 75W-110 or 75W-140 is a better choice. Let’s explore this question.
Amsoil 20W-50 in all 3 holes – Harley Davidson Forums
The consensus I’ve gleaned from a few too many oil threads on different forums is to go with any good synthetic 20-50 (amsoil, mobil 1, redline, etc.) in the motor and primary, and use a good synthetic 75-90 gear oil in the trans. I’ve read where people feel it just shifts better with the gear oil in the trans versus the 20-50 motor oil.
Mobil 1 V-Twin 20-50 in all three holes – Harley Davidson Forums
This is what I use now, mobil 1 v-twin 20w50 in engine, redline heavy shock-proof in trans, HD + in the primary.. I know that every body has their thoughts and ideas. Just wondering why they say mobile one in all three? I think I will stay the way I have been and just let others experiment with the other lubes.
So…Is M1 15W-50 OK to use in the Primary? – Bob Is The Oil Guy
Okay, if you notice I included 2 things – GEAR OIL vs. ENGINE OIL. I included a link to a viscosity chart to you could compare the two. If a 75w-90 GEAR OIL were tested for viscosity as an ENGINE OIL it could range from a 10w-40 to a 20w-50. A 20w-50 ENGINE OIL tested as a GEAR OIL would end up being a 75w-90 or 80w-90.
Conventional 20W50 For Harley Davidson – Bob Is The Oil Guy
He’s been using HD Syn-3 20W50. He recently tried Valvoline synthetic 20W50, because it’s cheaper and can be easily found while he’s traveling, but he said his oil pressures in both motors ran very low. He talked with a Harley mechanic and he recommended using HD’s conventional 20W50.
20W-50 Motorcycle Oil, Primary and Transmission Fluids: – AMSOIL …
Amsoil recommends 20W-50 synthetic V-twin motorcycle oil in the engine, transmission and primary chaincase on most Harleys. Amsoil 20W-50 offers: Convenience – Riders buy and install one lubricant. This reduces costs and results if you half- used bottles of oil lying around in the garage.
Primary and transmission fluid question – Road Glide
Lots of people run Mobil 1 20w/50 in the primary. Harley recommends Syn3 which is a 20w/50. I don’t see why the Amsoil wouldn’t work as long as it’s JASO rated. There are also lots of folks that run the 75w/90 gear oil in the transmission with no issues. Personally I run a 10w/40 or Formula+ in the primary and 75w/140 Mobil1 gear oil in the …
Why Use 20W50 Motor Oil? – It Still Runs
The “20W” indicates how quickly the engine will start when cold or in cold weather. The “50” refers to the thickness of the oil when the motor has been running for a while. 20W50 motor oil is relatively viscous and thick. Most modern oils are 10W40 or even 5W40. Warmer Temperatures
What Kind Of Oil For Harley Davidson Primary? – Royal Enfield
Jun 8, 2022Can You Use 20w50 For Primary Oil? Amsoil recommends 20W-50 synthetic V- twin motorcycle oil for most Harleys’ engines, transmission, and primary chaincase. Amsoil offers 20W-50 for up to 50 cents. One lubricant is purchased and installed by riders. In the garage, you can save money and time by leaving half-used oil bottles.
What happens if I use 20w50 instead of 5w30? Then this happens
Can I Use 10W-30 Oil Instead Of 20W-50? If you own a diesel or gasoline engine that’s used for heavy loads, then 10W-30 and 20w50 are both good choices. However, the latter will be thicker than lighter oils (10 watt – 30 weight). Stick with the right type of oil for your car. For example, if you have a 20W-50 viscosity and must use it …
Synthetic Oil for your Harley | Harley Performance
While you can use the same 20W-50 for all 3 crankcase, primary, and transmission as with H-D Syn3 (the name Syn3 refers to use in all 3), I chose to use viscosity ranges that more closely matched those of the recommended petrolium based oils. This is probably just my own opinion but I believe 20W-50 is too heavy for the primary which requires …
Anyone use Valvoline 20W50 Motorcycle Oil? – Road Glide
Only show this user. Valvoline 20w50 motorcycle oil review. changed the syn oil on my bike, (2010 RGC 96″ with stage 1 & D&D Fatcat 2-1 with 5900 miles). Rode 800 miles in the Texas Hill Country over 4 days. My unscientific review: Bike ran strong. It seemed that engine ran cooler but I can not verify that.
The 20W50 Oil Guide (Definition, Uses, 6 FAQs) | RepairSmith
20W-50 motor oil is a great high-performance, heavy loading oil that holds up well in extremely hot climates. However, in the wrong engine, it can cause serious problems that may potentially void your car’s warranty. If you use 20W-50 oil in an engine that requires 5W-30, for example, you won’t notice any immediate engine damage.
SOLVED: Can I use 20/50 synthetic in the primary? What is – Fixya
Harley recommends you use their 20w50 or Syn 3 (synthetic) oil. If you use Syn 3, you can also use it in the trans and primary. If you use conventional oil, Harley’s Formula Plus goes in the trans and primary. Truth be told, any good high quality motorcycle oil (Amsoil, etc) made for air cooled engines will work in the crankcase.
Can you use 20w-50 oil in the cranckcase and the primary and the trans …
What oil do you use for the primary on a 883 sportster 1996? 20w50 Harley Davidson motor oil If you can’t get H-D brand oil, you could use any brand 20w50. Stay away from synthetics.
Mobil 1 V-Twin 20-50 in all three holes – Harley Davidson Forums
28. 1. This is what I use now, mobil 1 v-twin 20w50 in engine, redline heavy shock-proof in trans, HD + in the primary.. I know that every body has their thoughts and ideas. Just wondering why they say mobile one in all three?
Why Use 20W50 Motor Oil? – It Still Runs
car image by sasha from Fotolia.com. The numbers 20W50 refer to the viscosity of the motor oil, set by the Society of American Engineers. This refers to its fluidity or thickness. The “20W” indicates how quickly the engine will start when cold or in cold weather. The “50” refers to the thickness of the oil when the motor has been running for a …
What happens if I use 20w50 instead of 5w30? Then this happens
Can I Use 10W-30 Oil Instead Of 20W-50? If you own a diesel or gasoline engine that’s used for heavy loads, then 10W-30 and 20w50 are both good choices. However, the latter will be thicker than lighter oils (10 watt – 30 weight). Stick with the right type of oil for your car. For example, if you have a 20W-50 viscosity and must use it …
Sportster oil for engine & trans/primary – Bob Is The Oil Guy
Location. Central Arkansastan. May 25, 2011. #2. Mobil One V-Twin 20W-50, Valvoline RACING 20W-50, or Valvoline 20W-50 4-stroke MC oil for the crankcase. Some will chime in for Amsoil as well. HD formula+, Spectro Chaincase or even the above oils for the Tranny. Gear oil can also be used if its GL1 rated NOT gl5.
Primary fluid ??? | Harley Davidson Forums
Now there ya go, you answered your own question. Actually a light oil in the 10/40 would work well in there and that’s about what the older HD primary fluid was. The key here is not to use a synthetic oil or an energy saving oil like 5/30 or so in the primary mainly because of the additive packages in them. The heavier the oil, the more it will …
Aftermarket oil for M8 – Road Glide
Any of them will do. I buy whatever 20w-50 MC specific synthetic that is on sale at WalMart or Auto Zone. Usually Valvoline or Mobil 1. … I used the dedicated tranny fluid and the dedicated primary fluid, though you can use the 20w50 in all the holes, I went with the dedicated fluid for the other 2. Shifts smooth, runs smooth, so far so good. …
Harley owners – what “oils” do you run in those 3 holes.
Note: any Dino engine oil makes the engine run hotter. Hot enough to feel it on your right foot. on a 90 degree day. Amsoil v twin oil in the crankcase and primary. change interval 5,000 miles, harley oil filter. Amsoil yellow cap gear oil in the trans. change interval 10,000 miles.
You use 20w50 in the primary not gear oil for a 96 sportster 883? – Answers
Yes Chevylows10 you are correct you use 20W-50 in the Primary not gear oil. I recommend Amsoil MCV 20W-50 Synthetic Motorcycle Oil I’ve been running in my 1990 FXR with no problems. Hope This Helps.
20w50 engine oil advantages and disadvantages
Using the wrong oil can lead to severe damages, which as well be costly to repair. Therefore, having the correct information about a particular oil will save you a lot. So, what is 20W50 engine oil, and where can you use it? 20W50 engine oil is a high viscosity, and heavy-duty engine oil meant for gasoline and diesel engines. This oil is most …
Motorcycle Oil, Primary Oil & Transmission Fluid – AMSOIL Blog
Synthetic V-Twin Transmission Fluid has a higher viscosity than 20W-50 Synthetic V-Twin Motorcycle Oil. A higher-viscosity, or “thicker,” lubricant provides some advantage in helping quiet noisy transmission gears and enabling smooth shifts. The lubricant develops a slightly thicker fluid film on gears, which provides extra cushion to help …
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