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Thanks for the information. And when did you change the oil the first time ?


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I use motul V300 le Mans 20/60

Please, we have have had this discussion. DO NOT USE JUST ANY SYNTHETIC OIL. You MUST use something that says "V twin oil" or it will not contain the proper amount of zinc additive for our engines. That is why the container says V twin-it needs the anti wear quality. I don't know about all the other oils mentioned but I will not use anything else in my $8000.00 engine

+1. The "V-Twin" part is important. I have found that, S&S recommended, Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W50 fully synthetic oil is unobtainable in the UK, unless you order a box of it from the US. I have used Spectro Platinum 20W50 V-Twin fully synthetic oil from Matts Machine Shop, their alternative. I am now using Motul 7100 4T V-Twin 20W50 fully synthetic, same specification as the Spectro, better price and availability here. Apart from some very fine "paste" on the mag plug at the first change I did at 500 miles, not a hint of any metal debris yet at the oil and filter changes. Over servicing the oil is still cheap when compared to the cost of the engine.

If by zinc you mean ZDDP (zinc dialyldithiophosphate) the chemical is said to be an enemy of catalysts.

Is the S&S engine really designed to need high ZDDP levels and thus not be catalysed? I'd be rather dubious since the USA has been fitting catalysts longer than the UK has. If I had a five speeder, I'd be consulting with both S&S and an oil company chemist I know. He's spent quite a lot of time debunking myths.

From the S&S® California X-Wedge™ Engine Owner's Manual:

Engine oil is a major factor in the performance and service life of the engine. For operation in ambient conditions over 35º F use 20W-50 and for operation in ambient conditions below 40º F use 10W-40.

S&S recommends Mobil 1 20W-50 V-Twin oil is used in ambient conditions over 35º F.

NOTE: S&S recommends regular oil changes every 1,000 miles if using a petroleum-based oil not specifically formulated for motorcycles."

That's clear enough, but what is the formulation of Mobil 1 V twin oil in the USA?

It's quite common for engine manufacturers to recommend a specific oil. I'd not go so far as to suggest anything, but it's often an issue of sponsorship too. The crucial things, especially to a buyer of a vehicle not in the home territory is both the grade and the additive package. In terms of an engine having requirements, the fact it is an air cooled engine is the big one, as the oil will be much more stressed than in a water cooled one. Indeed, some air cooled engines could be said to be oil cooled.

If it really needs ZDDP, there is this:
ZDDP additive

And a web page on the issue:
ZDDP

I thought it is a simple question but now I see that the oil problem is not so simple.....
It is interesting because every Shop were you can by oil will tell you different thinks about that.



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Mobile 1 was always reccomended because it is one of only a very few truely synthetic oils. Almost all so called synthetic oils are really just modified high grade mineral oils (API 3). Any V-twin 20w 50 oil that has API 4 in its spec is the same - as Mobile 1. These true syntetic oils perform more reliably under tough conditions, most bike the X-wedge were designed for never weighed as much as the M3W!

If fully synthetic oil is the only type of oil that should be used I wonder why MMC and their dealer network use standard mineral 20/50.

Also after looking at the top link Martyn has posted, by default it looks like I may be onto a winner with the Millers Classic 20/50 as it already has ZDDP in the formulation.

Come MOT time next year I shall see if it has had any detrimental effects on the cats.