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Keep & Kill
Last Post: Crusty
Posted On: 19 Minutes Ago
Replies: 33,606
Views: 2,050,809
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Members Birthdays
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22nd March 2021
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XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 12,418 Sportster/Buell Model: 1200R Sportster/Buell Year: 2005 Other Motorcycle Model: 5 bikes and 1 quad
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Any non synthetic 20-50 is fine according to E1. I use Valvoline Dino 20-50
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23rd March 2021
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XL FORUM LIFE MEMBER
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Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Texas/Mexican Border
Posts: 3,696 Sportster/Buell Model: xls 1000 Sportster/Buell Year: 1980 Sportster/Buell Model #2: xls 1000 Sportster/Buell Year #2: 1983 Other Motorcycle Model: 1200 Chopper XL Other Motorcycle Year: 1990
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If you have no choice. No oil is worse than what ever is on the shelf.
Easy enough to drain it later on when you find what you want.
Only uses a quart.
like posted above. I use Pennzoil 20/50 when in a pinch.
Even straight dino 40 ,30 wt is better than empty.
When on a trip.
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6th June 2021
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Greasemonkey
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Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 102 Sportster/Buell Model: XL883L Sportster/Buell Year: 2005
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https://youtu.be/nxoQ-Yd3zw0?t=1027
I use Mercon V. It's already in my garage.
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16th November 2021
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Senior Chief Master Mechanic
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Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: middle Tennessee
Posts: 939 Sportster/Buell Model: Sportster Superlow 1250 Sportster/Buell Year: 2014
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I use Red Line 75W90 GL5 gear oil in my hot rod Sportster. Been using it for over 20,000 miles with no issues. Does not harm yellow metals. Its equal to 50 weight motor oil.
From red Line
Thank you for contacting Red Line Oil, in the shared Sportster primary/transmission the 75W90 is recommended, a product that has been used extensively and performs well.
The 75W90 is the product we have have used for a number of years with very good results in Sportster/Buell transmissions, matching the viscosity and type fluid called for.
The 80W Motorcycle Gear Oil is a lower viscosity than called for, the ShockProof gear oils can due to their unique characteristics could cause sticking of the Harley clutches.
The 75W90 would be preferred and recommended over 80W Motorcycle Gear Oil in these applications.
There can be issues with some GL-5 gear oils in certain applications. Some can be corrosive to brass, bronze or copper, not an issue with our GL-5 gear oils, they don’t cause corrosion, pitting or metal removal. In a synchro equipped transmission the friction modifiers contained in many gear oils can make them too slippery, though not the case in a motorcycle transmission with dog rings.
So if you want the right viscosity and dont want to worry about it damaging anything, go with Redline http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=133&pcid=4
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17th November 2021
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Senior Master Custom Bike Builder
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 4,418 Sportster/Buell Model: 1250 Sportster/Buell Year: 1991
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I used M1 75W90 for a while, and switched to Belray STL later on. No real reason, both work well, just long time user of Belray products. As infrequently as I need to change it here in San Diego, a few bucks more isn't really a big deal, especially considering it's only a quart. I kind of like the fact it's red, rather than just motor oil color, were an unlikely leak develop.
John
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17th November 2021
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Senior Chief Master Mechanic
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Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: middle Tennessee
Posts: 939 Sportster/Buell Model: Sportster Superlow 1250 Sportster/Buell Year: 2014
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Mobil 1 75W90 gear oil works really well. The only gear oils Im aware of that are a problem are..
UNSAFE GL-5 Oils
Royal Purple MaxGear 75W-90 GL5......... 4A Trans Black
Mopar Syn LS additive..75W-90 GL5....... 4A Trans Black
Lucas 75/90 Synthetic75W-90 GL5......... 4B Graphite Blk
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23rd November 2021
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Dazed & Confused
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Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Never Never Land
Posts: 3,303 Sportster/Buell Model: XL1200C Sportster/Buell Year: 2017 Other Motorcycle Model: BMW R9T Other Motorcycle Year: 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hexnut
I use Red Line 75W90 GL5 gear oil in my hot rod Sportster. Been using it for over 20,000 miles with no issues. Does not harm yellow metals.
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+1 on Redlines' GL5 gear oils. I went thru (tried) a bunch of different wt/type gear oils and ATF's in my Sportster. Stuff I had on the shelf. I'm running Redline 75w140 GL5 as the transmission shifts best with it. The clutch still wants some Red Line 80301 Limited Slip Friction Modifier added to help the no grenade plate chatter/squeal.
__________________
2017 XL1200C in SE Wisconsin, USA
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23rd November 2021
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Senior Master Custom Bike Builder
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pottstown PA.
Posts: 15,899 Sportster/Buell Model: XLCH stroker Sportster/Buell Year: 1960 Sportster/Buell Model #2: 883 C Sportster/Buell Year #2: '03
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^^ wouldn't the friction modifier risk clutch plate slippage?
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23rd November 2021
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Dazed & Confused
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Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Never Never Land
Posts: 3,303 Sportster/Buell Model: XL1200C Sportster/Buell Year: 2017 Other Motorcycle Model: BMW R9T Other Motorcycle Year: 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brucstoudt
^^ wouldn't the friction modifier risk clutch plate slippage?
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In theory, yes. I've got a Barnett kevlar plate set, an E-1 +15% spring and no trace of it slipping with the friction modifier added. It helps with but doesn't eliminate the chatter/squeal it sometimes does.
What I should do is get the XR/Buell narrow plate pieces.
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24th November 2021
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Chief Know It All
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: California
Posts: 446 Sportster/Buell Model: XL1200R Roadster Sportster/Buell Year: 2008 Other Motorcycle Model: Norton 850 Commando Other Motorcycle Year: 1973
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Mobil 1 V twin is OK too and it is synthetic, have used it for the primary/gearbox without issue.

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