Recommendation required for gear box oil

Didn't need new parts, why need new oil?

Engine had to come apart for mayor service and mayor change of exterior "feel".

Also needed a new drive belt which had done 57000 plus miles and had the "pack-man" damage on all the teeth. You need to take the whole rear swing arm out for that.

Fitted different bars which needed longer clutch cable and that means the clutch trap door had to come off, hard to keep the oil in it with my faltering telekinesis powers.

Changed the chrome on the engine covers for deep black enamel. Finaly it will not be a chrome pony any more, I hate chrome.

Anyway, what if you just need new oil? No new parts but an oil change now and again is not such a bad thing you know

You're taking me back aways but I think it was straight 60wt we used in southern California in the gear box of the pan and/or knuckleheads. We rode em in the 100°+ Mojave desert heat too. Beach riding was cold, ah the fog burrr...

I think the correct milspec can be found at Wally World.

Friend owns a Hog service shop, his take is HD oil is not good, only a little better than poor. Said the major problem is lubrication has improved HD oil stayed the same. He likes Red Line (spelling?).

What are the requirements for your Sled? I've always ran custom oils, even hydraulic fluid in my automatics. I'll most likely pick up a quarter drum on Monday.

Brad

Harley oils are rubbish and very bad for keeping things cool.

Redline sounds good but may be harder to get. Why not just go for superior known "local" brand such as Shell, Castrol or the like? They must know what oils are supposed to do.

In the engine I use Mobil Formule 1 15W50 although they ran out last year and had to use 0W40. Noticed no real difference but in our climate I think it is not needed to go that low.

They must know what oils are supposed to do.

Exactly how I'd reason it... Unless you have some strange materials* in the gearbox then I don't see much of a problem.

*Like the old fashioned cork clutch plates...dunno what a modern oil would do to them. Do Harleys still us Lignum Vitae bearings?

Del

Do Harleys still us Lignum Vitae bearings

Don't know, I cannot read Latin

DESCRIPTION: One of the hardest and heaviest woods (three times as hard as oak), lignum vitae is most commonly used for mallet heads, bearings and rollers. Because of its durability and natural lubricants, it is the preferred wood for propeller bushings and other underwater applications. The lignum vitae tree generally grows to a diameter of about 12", although historically, trees in the 18" - 30" range have been known.

Lignum vitae is reddish brown when freshly cut, with pale yellow sapwood. As it oxidizes, the color turns to a deep green, often with black details. The grain is highly interlocked, making it difficult to work with edge tools, but it machines well and takes a high polish. It is a remarkably good wood for turning. A similar species, known as Maracaibo lignum vitae (Bulnesia arboria), which grows in Venezuela and northern South America, is similar in properties and appearance and is sometimes substituted for genuine lignum vitae.

I never knew that, learn some every day.

The answer is no they stopped that some time in the 30ies

They do keep up with the times on some stuff you know

Soap wood, do they still use that on Nuc subs for a prop shaft seal?

Seals, bearings gaskets have all evolved. I can remember when some Hogs didn't need oil changes or chain oilers because they leaked oil just slower than a strainer. Had a hard time convincing one friend not to take his cookie sheet drip pan and poor the oil back into the case.

Mobil1 is a good choice but spendy, My Dad likes Shell RotellaT 15W40, says it is the most cost effective. I'm still researching.

Brad

All the old Harley's used the total waste oiling system like most old Brit bikes did as well.

My 1959 flathead did not even have an oil filter in the system and that engine was widely accepted as bombproof and was used for over 40 years. Not many people know that it was the longest running engine for Harley. If it works why fix it.

I read just now that some modern boats still use the iron wood for prop bearings and seals of leather compressed between iron wood rings. Seems a bit simple but I guess here you have the same rule, if it works why fix it.

redline fairly easy to get now...leastwise in california. Many auto parts houses carry it. Check local oil distributors too...better because you can by cheaper, by the case. Still more expensive...and better...than others.