Oils ain't oils!!

Ramakill · 04-18-2012, 06:40 AM

I read a comment on a post here somewhere, that Mac does not recommend 20W50 for 1600 engines. As he is somewhat of a mechanical guru for these bikes, I am curious as to why this is and what does he, or any other experienced owner recommends.

I have seen references to specific US brands that are not available in Australia so am interested in generic synthetic v's mineral and what viscosity.

recumbentbob · 04-18-2012, 07:13 AM

The nomads have hydraulic lifters and close tolerances so thicker oil like 20W50 has a hard time getting thru the oil passages. That is why macmac does not recommend 20W50. On the old forum he had a long thread on this.

I use 10W40 Mobil 1 & 5W40 Rotella T6 in the winter.

**jlreeves** · 04-18-2012, 07:27 AM

I tried 20w50 for one oil change cycle a few years ago. My unscientific observations: Shifting was clunkier. Tranny would get occasionally get stuck in half gears. Motor didn't seem to care. I swapped back to 10w40 Amsoil Synthetic and shifting issues went and stayed away. Don't mess with a good thing I guess. Re dino vs synthetic, synthetic just lasts longer between changes.

**ringadingh** · 04-18-2012, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recumbentbob

The nomads have hydraulic lifters and close tolerances so thicker oil like 20W50 has a hard time getting thru the oil passages. That is why macmac does not recommend 20W50. On the old forum he had a long thread on this.

I use 10W40 Mobil 1 & 5W40 Rotella T6 in the winter.

Thats a good explanation why not to use it.

Ramakill · 04-18-2012, 11:10 PM

Thanks everyone, all makes sense. Based on the info in these posts I will most likely go for a 10W40 synth next oil change.

Incidentally, I have seen a few references to posts on the old VBA forum, but everytime I try to view them, I;m sent back to this one.

elvis · 04-18-2012, 11:49 PM

I use Rotella T6 myself buy if I lived in Arizona I'd consider 20W50. See my post at http://vulcanbagger.com/forums/showp...4&postcount=34

cactusjack · 04-19-2012, 01:18 AM

I used to run 20W50 in the summer and Rotella T6 the rest of the year here in Phoenix.

AlabamaNomadRider · 04-19-2012, 04:46 AM

I'm using a mix or 10W-40/20W-50 presently and my bike seems to shift better than with the 10W-40. I am currently using Valvoline motorcycle oil.

04-18-2012, 06:40 AM	#1
Ramakill Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 194	Oils ain't oils!! I read a comment on a post here somewhere, that Mac does not recommend 20W50 for 1600 engines. As he is somewhat of a mechanical guru for these bikes, I am curious as to why this is and what does he, or any other experienced owner recommends. I have seen references to specific US brands that are not available in Australia so am interested in generic synthetic v's mineral and what viscosity. __________________ ________________________ '09 HD FXST '13 HD XL 1200C - SOLD '08 Vulcan Nomad 1600 - SOLD '07 Vulcan 900 Custom - SOLD Ulysses Member #59316 VBA member #01933 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-18-2012, 07:13 AM	#2
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	The nomads have hydraulic lifters and close tolerances so thicker oil like 20W50 has a hard time getting thru the oil passages. That is why macmac does not recommend 20W50. On the old forum he had a long thread on this. I use 10W40 Mobil 1 & 5W40 Rotella T6 in the winter. __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
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04-18-2012, 07:27 AM	#3
jlreeves Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Roswell, GA Posts: 888	I tried 20w50 for one oil change cycle a few years ago. My unscientific observations: Shifting was clunkier. Tranny would get occasionally get stuck in half gears. Motor didn't seem to care. I swapped back to 10w40 Amsoil Synthetic and shifting issues went and stayed away. Don't mess with a good thing I guess. Re dino vs synthetic, synthetic just lasts longer between changes. __________________ 2008 Nomad 1600 Black/Red _________________________________________ VulcanBagger #01711, VRA/GA VRA, SCRC, VROC #29671, AMA #1085989, Red Knights MC GA-18 Pres, PGR _________________________________________
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04-18-2012, 11:10 PM	#5
Ramakill Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 194	Thanks everyone, all makes sense. Based on the info in these posts I will most likely go for a 10W40 synth next oil change. Incidentally, I have seen a few references to posts on the old VBA forum, but everytime I try to view them, I;m sent back to this one. __________________ ________________________ '09 HD FXST '13 HD XL 1200C - SOLD '08 Vulcan Nomad 1600 - SOLD '07 Vulcan 900 Custom - SOLD Ulysses Member #59316 VBA member #01933 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-19-2012, 01:18 AM	#7
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	I used to run 20W50 in the summer and Rotella T6 the rest of the year here in Phoenix. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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04-18-2012, 11:49 PM	#6
elvis Sr. Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 1,785	I use Rotella T6 myself buy if I lived in Arizona I'd consider 20W50. See my post at http://vulcanbagger.com/forums/showp...4&postcount=34
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04-19-2012, 04:46 AM	#8
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	I'm using a mix or 10W-40/20W-50 presently and my bike seems to shift better than with the 10W-40. I am currently using Valvoline motorcycle oil. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
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